Guo Jiaxuan, a promising young defender who was once part of the Bayern Munich World Squad, has tragically passed away at the age of 18. His untimely death comes after he suffered a severe head injury during a training match in Spain last month.

Fatal Injury During Training Match

The young footballer was reportedly struck in the face by an accidental knee during a match against Spanish club RC Alcobendas. The match took place at a training camp organized by the Beijing Football Association (BFA). Following the collision, Guo suffered a subarachnoid hemorrhage—a form of stroke caused by bleeding on the brain.

His brother, writing on the Chinese platform RedNote, revealed the devastating details of the incident:

“During training, he was rushed to [hospital] after being hit in the head by another player’s knee.”

Medical professionals at the hospital expressed concern about the extent of the bleeding in Guo’s brain and initially gave little hope for survival. The hospital recommended removing life support, but Guo’s father refused and traveled to Spain to be by his son’s side.

Family’s Struggle and Accusations

As reported by the South China Morning Post, Guo’s family has accused both the Beijing Football Association and his club, Beijing Guoan, of failing to cover his medical expenses. They claimed that the BFA neglected to purchase insurance for the trip, leaving the family to bear the financial burden.

Bayern Munich’s Tribute

Despite his father’s efforts, Guo was unable to recover and succumbed to his injuries. Bayern Munich expressed their condolences in a heartfelt statement:

“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. 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.”

Guo was part of the FC Bayern World Squad in 2023, a program that provides talented young players from around the world with the opportunity to showcase their skills at a professional level. He had also represented China at the youth level and was seen as a rising talent in the football community.

Remembering Guo Jiaxuan

Born in 2006, Guo was a key player in the expertly-assembled Bayern Munich World Squad and had previously represented China’s Under-17 team. His passing is a tremendous loss to the football world, and he will be remembered for his dedication, talent, and passion for the sport.