Police in Brazil have found the decapitated head of a former Brazilian footballer which had been delivered to his wife's house.

Joao Rodrigo Silva Santo, who played in his native Brazil as well in Sweden, was allegedly kidnapped by drug gangs on Monday evening outside his health food shop. When he failed to return home, his wife reported him missing.

The following morning a backpack containing his severed head was found at the doorstep of the family home by his horrified wife, who is also a police officer.

Reports from Brazil suggest that the 35-year-old's head was mutilated, with the eyes and tongue cut out.

The rest of his body has yet to be found.