Alfredo Pacheco was El Salvador's most capped player ©Getty Images

El Salvador's most capped footballer Alfredo Pacheco has been shot dead at a petrol station, authorities in the Central American country have confirmed.

The 33-year-old defender, who played 86-times for his country before being banned for life for match-fixing, was murdered in Santa Ana, which is nearly 50 miles from capital San Salvador.

He was with a group of friends when an unknown attacker opened fire, also injuring two other people.

“The attorney general’s office in Santa Ana processed the crime scene of the murder of Alfredo Pacheco at 3.30am in a petrol station,” said a statement by El Savlador's Attorney General's office.

Pacheco's career took him to New York Red Bulls in the United States
Pacheco's career took him to New York Red Bulls in the United States ©Getty Images

Pacheco, who was born in Santa Ana, started his club career at the city's CD FAS side.

He spent ten years there, which also included a loan spell in the United States' Major League Soccer with New York Red Bulls, and went on to represent Salvadorian clubs CD Aguila and AD Isidro Metapan.

His ban came in 2013 when he was found guilty of taking bribes to lose matches.

Thirteen other players were also banned for life by the Salvadorian Football Federation.

El Salvador has one of the highest murder rates in the world.

Arnold Peralta, another footballer from neighbouring Honduras, was also shot dead in his home country this month.