Former Bayern Munich youth star, Guo Jiaxuan, has passed away on the eve of his 19th birthday after suffering a head injury in training back in February, it has been confirmed.
The 18-year-old defender, formerly on the books at the Bavarian giants was reportedly struck in the face by a knee during training camp last month.
He had been playing in a training match against Spanish side RC Alcobendas at a camp organised by the Beijing Football Association.
His brother revealed on social media that Guo had suffered a subarachnoid haemorrhage, a form of stroke caused by bleeding on the brain following the accidental collision.
Doctors in Madrid then diagnosed Guo with ‘brain death’, according to his brother.
Now, his last club Beijing Guoan have announced the tragic news with a touching tribute to ‘a child who loved football’.
‘We have lost a child who loved football. May Jiaxuan rest in peace!’ the club said.
‘The club will continue to do its utmost to deal with the consequences appropriately and provide all necessary help and support to Guo Jiaxuan’s family.’
Bayern Munich also paid their respects to the youngster following the news of his death.
‘FC Bayern is mourning the passing of Guo Jiaxuan, the former World Squad player who has died at the age of 18 in his native China,’ the club statement began. ‘He succumbed to the effects of a serious head injury following a tragic accident during a training match in Spain on 6 February. The club’s thoughts are with his family and friends.
‘The centre-back was part of the FC Bayern World Squad in 2023, which gives talented players from all over the world the chance to showcase themselves for professional football. Jiaxuan was also part of China’s youth national teams.’
On social media, Guo’s brother posted a black-and-white photo of the young defender with the caption: ‘He’ll forever be frozen on the last day of his 18th year’.
Last month, Guo’s father reportedly refused the doctor’s suggestion to turn off his son’s life support and perform an autopsy, and instead sought for him to be repatriated to China for further treatment.
The South China Morning Post reported that Guo’s family accused the Beijing Football Association and his club Beijing Guoan of failing to cover his medical bills. The family claimed the Beijing FA had failed to buy insurance for the trip.
The organisation reportedly reached an agreement to transport Guo to China, where he succumbed to his brain injury. Guo had previously represented the Chinese national team at under-17 level and had been invited to train with Bayern Munich in 2023.
He had become part of Bayern Munich’s World Squad, an international project by the German giants aimed at developing promising players from around the world.
Source: Linda Ikeji Blog