Marinho's mother is reported to have been taken forcibly from her home in the neighbourhood of Santos by two armed men who posed as florists.

It is the fifth kidnapping of the mother of a top player in the past six months in Sao Paulo.

In January the mother of Grafite, who plays for Sao Paulo's first division side, was taken but was found the next day when police who were working a different case discovered her whereabouts by surprise.

On November 7, 2004 Santos' star striker Robinho stopped playing for his first division side as his mother was held captive for 41 days before being released.

In that case, his mother was kidnapped the day after the press announced that the 20-year-old Robinho would be signing for Real Madrid. The first contact the kidnappers made was after 72 hours.

The mother of FC Porto striker Luis Fabiano has still not been freed after being kidnapped last March.