Panama City: Panama international Amilcar Henriquez, a very senior footballer who used to play in the midfield, was shot dead on Saturday.

Witnesses said a red Nissan was seen in the area before the gunmen got out of the vehicle and fired various times at Henriquez and his companions.

The 33-year-old was taken to a clinic, where he died from his wounds. Two others, Josemar Pedro and Delano Wilson, were also injured in the attack and had to be hospitalised.

"We strongly condemn the assassination of Amilcar Henriquez. We will give Colon all the security forces needed to catch those responsible," President Juan Carlos Varela tweeted.

The Panamanian Football Federation added: "We deeply regret the death of international player Amilcar Henriquez. God bless your soul Mickey."

Henriquez was playing at the United Arab League club in Colon. His last match was against Chorrillo in the Panamanian Football League on Wednesday. He won 75 international caps for Panama.

For the national team, he most recently came on as a substitute in the 1-1 draw against the United States in a World Cup qualifier in March.

He also played for Colombian teams Independiente de Medellin (2012-2014), America de Cali (2015-2016), Real Cartagena (2015), Atletico Huila (2009-2012) and Costa Rica's Santacrucena (2008).

His murder was not the first among Panamanian footballers, though. In 2011, Plaza Amador goalkeeper Eric Luna was shot and killed while talking in front of his house. That same year, Abdul Chiari was shot to death as he went to training. <>Javier de la Rosa of Chorrillo Football Club was shot dead outside the stadium, where his team had played minutes before. Other ex-international players such as goalkeeper Oscar McFarlane and forward Jose Luis Garces have been arrested and jailed on felony charges.

McFarlane, arrested this year for alleged drug possession, was put behind bars in 2008 too for illegal possession of weapons and in 2011 for a homicide of which he was finally acquitted. For his part, Garces was convicted in 2005 for attempted murder.

That same year Arab United's Kairo Oscar Martinez was stopped by the police for being in possession of a machine gun. (Agencies)