Former Brazilian defender dies after scooter accident in Ireland The death of Saul Muniz, aged 40, after an accident with an electric scooter in Galway, Ireland, mobilized family, friends and former football teammates in Brazil and abroad. A former defender, he lived in Ribeirão Preto (SP), played for clubs in the interior of São Paulo and lived in Ireland since 2012, when he left the field and started working as a barber. To g1, English teacher Patrícia Borges, Saul's sister, said that he decided to go to Ireland to study and start his life over. In the country, he lived first in Dublin and then in Galway, where he built a new career as a barber and made friends among Brazilians, Irish and immigrants of different nationalities. According to Patrícia, Saul was a generous person, linked to social projects and concerned about helping those around him. He was a volunteer at the NGO You in Africa, which fights hunger and promotes education for African children (read more below). "He was a humanitarian man, a missionary, he helped everyone, even with a smile, to make someone else smile," said Patrícia. The family authorized the donation of Saul's organs to benefit other people. Friends in Ireland also organize a tribute and wake before the cremation. The ashes must be brought to Brazil. ?Click here to follow the g1 Ribeirão e Franca channel on WhatsApp Saul Muniz, former Comercial de Ribeirão Preto (SP) player, died after an accident in Ireland Social media According to the teacher, the heart, lungs, kidneys, liver, as well as blood vessels and heart valves were donated. From Ribeirão Preto, via video call, she spoke with the medical team who followed the process. "We said a prayer with our closest friends, and he was taken to the room where the organs would be removed to help other lives," he said. READ ALSO Former Brazilian defender dies after scooter accident in Ireland Family will donate the organs of former Brazilian player who died in Ireland Moving to Ireland Saul was born in Minas Gerais, but moved to Ribeirão Preto in 1995. It was in the city that his career in football began, in the youth teams of Comercial. The club spoke out on social media and mourned the death of the former player. As an athlete, he also defended Francana, in Franca (SP), Jaboticabal and Guariba, teams named after their respective cities in the interior of SP. In 2012, he decided to end his career and move to Ireland. Patrícia said the decision came after injuries and surgeries on her knee and ankle. Even with physical therapy, he was unable to fully recover to return to playing at a high level. "He was very sad because he couldn't recover 100% on the field. Then he decided to go to another country. The country that welcomed him was Ireland", he said. Initially, Saul studied English. Before traveling, he took a barber course. The inspiration also came from home: his mother was a hairdresser and encouraged the new profession. "He already cut the hair of players and colleagues. He took a barber course before going, and our mother encouraged him. He was a barber and ended up staying," said Patrícia. Saul first lived in Dublin and then moved to Galway. According to his sister, he was working a lot, had been to different salons and maintained a good relationship in the places he visited. "All the salons he went to left doors open. He left friends," he said. Saul Muniz, former Comercial de Ribeirão Preto (SP) player, died after an accident in Ireland Social media Plans to visit family Patrícia said that her brother planned to return to Brazil at the end of this year to see his family in Ribeirão Preto. According to her, Saul had not been to the country for around four years. "We were very happy because he said that, at the end of the year, he would come and meet us. After the pandemic, he no longer came to Brazil", he said. Following his death, friends created a group called "Forever Saul" to gather photos, videos and tributes. Patrícia said that she started receiving messages from Brazilians, Irish and immigrants of other nationalities who lived with her brother. "Now, with all this I'm experiencing, I saw the vast number of people who were welcomed by him. There are many people sharing videos, testimonials, messages of support. It's not just Ireland and Brazil", he said. Tributes and wake According to Patrícia, after donating the organs, Saul's body must be cremated, and the ashes will be brought to Brazil. Before that, friends asked the family for permission to organize a wake and tribute in Ireland. The family agreed. "There are so many people that they asked to hold a wake there before the cremation. We authorized it. They will pay tribute," he said. The family also explained that a fundraiser was organized by friends who live in Ireland to help with the costs. Patrícia thanked the donations, but stated that, at the moment, there is no need for new contributions in Brazil. See more news from the region on g1 Ribeirão Preto and Franca VIDEOS: Everything about Ribeirão Preto, Franca and the region