Bayern Munich-linked player dies aged 18 after horrific incident in friendly match

An 18-year-old footballer has died after being involved in a clash during a game in February.

Guo Jiaxuan suffered a blow to his head while competing in a friendly match in Madrid, Spain on February 6.

The China youth international had been playing in a fixture against Spanish outfit RC Alcobendas at a training camp organised by the Beijing Football Association.

In the days following the incident, the player’s brother took to social media issuing an update on the teenager’s condition.

“During training [last Thursday], he was rushed to [hospital] after being hit in the head by another player’s knee,” Guo’s brother wrote on social media.

“From the interpreter, I learned that the doctor at the hospital said my brother had too much bleeding in his head and that there was little hope of survival… the hospital was going to remove his [life support] tubes.”

As reported by the Mail, Guo’s father had supposedly refused doctors' suggestions to turn off the life support.

Guo Jiaxuan passed away on March 20 (Credit:Bayern Munich)

The player was then transported to his native China for treatment before it was confirmed that he had passed away on March 19 – a day before his 19^th birthday.

Bayern Munich released a statement in tribute to the player, who had become part of the club’s world squad, on Thursday morning.

“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,” read the statement.

“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.”

The player's club side, Beijing Guoan, also posted a statement on social media which read: "We have lost a kid who loves football, may Guo Jiaxan rest in peace!"

They also explained how the club would "continue to do its best" to "properly handle" and support the player's family.