Tottenham star Emerson Royal has thanked an off-duty police officer after an attempted armed robbery out on the front of a Sao Paolo nightclub.

The Brazilian right-back and his family were accompanied by an off-duty police officer, who engaged in a gun battle with the assailant.

29 shots were fired in the incident, one of which caught the back of the assailant which meant he had to be sent to hospital.

Emerson later posted on Instagram a picture of himself and the officer: "God sends angels to earth, this is confirmed every day in my life.

"This human being, I call him an angel, risked his own life to save mine.

"I will be forever grateful to you, you were fundamental for me to be here today.

"Thank you, thank you thank you. (This photo was moments before the event, where he said he was my fan and asked for a photo with me)."