The star of the South African national team, Jayden Adams, died a few weeks after participating in the 2026 World Cup, at the age of 25.
Mamelodi Sundowns club midfielder Jayden Adams, who started in the first two matches of his country's national team in the World Cup, has died.
Less than a day before the news broke, Adams, who had played nine international matches with the "Bafana Bafana" squad, reposted a photo of himself with his girlfriend online.
Death of Jayden Adams
The sudden death of the 25-year-old player caused a shock in the football world, prompting the Professional Footballers' Union in South Africa to issue an official statement on the incident, which read as follows..
"The South African Football Players' Union feels deep sadness at the passing of Mamelodi Sundowns and national team midfielder Jayden Adams in the prime of his youth".
"Jayden Adams recently represented South Africa at the 2026 World Cup held in the United States, Canada and Mexico, carrying the nation's hopes with pride, courage and distinction".
"His passing is a heavy loss to his family, teammates, clubs, the football family and the entire country. We extend our deepest condolences to the Adams family, Mamelodi Sundowns, Stellenbosch FC, the Bafana Bafana national team and all who knew him".
"South African football has lost a talented player, a loyal servant of the game, and a young man who still had so much to give.. May God have mercy on him and grant him paradise".
It is noted that Adams had transferred from his childhood club Stellenbosch to Sundowns in Pretoria during the last summer transfer window.
The midfielder made his debut for the South African national team in 2024 but was not included in the squad for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations held in Morocco.
Adams played a full hour in the opening match of the World Cup, which the South African team lost 0-2 to Mexico at the Azteca Stadium.
He was substituted at half-time in the second-round match of the World Cup, which ended in a 1-1 draw with the Czech Republic.
Adams was brought on late during Bafana Bafana's match against South Korea, which saw the former qualify for the round of 32, but the player did not feature against Canada at the start of the knockout stages, during which his country lost 0-1.
