Various Brazilian media outlets have confirmed the death of Rafaela Del Bianchi, a 27-year-old Brazilian influencer and former partner of footballer Kerolin Nicoli, who currently plays as a forward for Manchester City. The young woman died in a tragic traffic accident early Sunday morning when the car she was traveling in overturned on the Lix da Cunha highway in the state of Sao Paulo.
According to the Sao Paulo Public Security Department, Del Bianchi was not wearing a seatbelt, which caused her to be ejected from the vehicle upon impact. Accompanied by a friend who was driving the car, they were returning from a nightclub. The driver, who was wearing a seatbelt, suffered minor injuries.
Rafaela, a mother of an 11-year-old girl named Julia, was a regular figure on Brazilian social media, where she shared her daily life with thousands of followers. Among her posts, she often highlighted her love for soccer, her personal style, and everyday scenes with her daughter. Her close presence and charismatic personality had made her a beloved figure in the digital community.
Rafaela's death has also had a strong impact in the sports world due to her well-known, now-ended relationship with Kerolin Nicoli, one of the standout players of the Brazilian national team and current player for Manchester City. Although their relationship had ended, they maintained a bond of deep respect.
Nicoli, visibly affected, posted a message on her social media that quickly went viral: "Although we know that one day life will end, we are never prepared to lose someone," she wrote. "Today, heaven gained a piece of what I loved most on Earth. It hurts to know that I can no longer hug you, but I feel you in every silence, in every good memory. Nothing will erase what we lived. Our love does not end here, it has only moved."
The message, which has received thousands of supportive reactions, reflects not only the pain of the loss but also the impact that Rafaela had on those who knew her, both within and outside the digital world. Meanwhile, on social media and in Rafaela's closest circle, tributes and farewell messages continue.
Rafaela Del Bianchi's case adds to other recent accidents involving young influencers in Brazil. The use of seatbelts (or lack thereof) is once again at the center of the debate. Authorities have reiterated the importance of respecting road safety regulations, emphasizing that many of these fatal outcomes could have been prevented.