Joao Rodrigo Silva Santos, also known as Juan, was beheaded in Rio de Janeiro this week.
His wife found out when she discovered a backpack left at the door of their home.
His head was inside.
Witnesses said Santos was abducted in the very early morning on Tuesday by two men who forced him into a car, and the murder appeared to have been planned, official sources told the Latin American Herald Tribune.
Rio de Janeiro state police said drug traffickers could have been behind the killing.
Police are investigating the killing and searching for the rest of the body.
Santos used to play for several second-division clubs in Brazil. He also played for teams in Sweden and Honduras.
He had no enemies, his wife said.
