A “respected” football player has been stabbed and killed on a busy suburban street while friends and family dined at a nearby restaurant.

Police are still searching for the man who attacked and killed Sitaleki Filihiahekava, 32, outside the Guzman y Gomez outlet on Marrickville Road at Marrickville, in Sydney’s inner west, about 7.30pm on Monday.

The victim was known to police, who are investigating whether the attack was linked to organised crime or some other conflict, NSW Police Acting Superintendent Ben Kennis said on Tuesday.

“It was not a random attack on Marrickville Road, the community can be assured of that,” Kennis said.

Paramedics treated Filihiahekava, but he died at the scene – only a short distance from Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s electorate office.

He was a well-liked local rugby league player, who was being mourned by friends and family on Tuesday.

Sitaleki Filihiahekava was stabbed outside Guzman y Gomez in Sydney’s Marrickville. Photo: Supplied

Mascot Juniors president Frank Cookson expressed his sympathies for Filihiahekava’s “extensive family and multitude of friends”.

“It is with sincere regret we advise the passing of one of our club’s players Sitaleki Filihiahekava last evening in terrible circumstances,” he wrote on social media.

“Leki was a well liked and respected integral member of our A reserve grade premiership team two weeks ago where he performed admirably.

“RIP Leki your happy, friendly personality will be greatly missed.”

Cards attached to flowers left at the scene on Tuesday morning paid tribute to “Big Leki”.

“Rest in peace my brother,” read another.

The busy main street is lined with restaurants, some of which had to close their doors for the night after the attack.

Filihiahekava was dining with several others at one of the restaurants before he was stabbed.

“Family and friends did converge,” Kennis said.

“It was a highly emotive crime scene at the time, but I can’t say with any certainty how they found out about what happened.”

One man – reportedly Filihiahekava’s brother – breached the crime scene and had to be restrained. An officer drew their taser but did not use it, Kennis said.

Filihiahekava had met up with another person, whom he appeared to know, shortly before he was stabbed, Kennis said.

But police are yet to identify the person, who was spotted on CCTV fleeing down Silver Street after the attack.

Police are appealing for more footage as officers continue investigating.

-with AAP