Promising Chinese Defender Dies Days Before 19th Birthday Following Coma

A talented young Chinese footballer has tragically died following a severe head injury sustained during a training session in Spain, his club confirmed on Thursday.

Guo Jiaxuan, a defender for Beijing Guoan’s U-19 team, slipped into a coma last month after a collision during a friendly match between the Beijing U-20 side and Spanish club RC Alcobendas in Madrid. He was later declared brain dead by doctors at a local hospital before being flown back to China for further treatment at Beijing Tiantan Hospital.

Guo passed away on Wednesday evening, just one day before his 19th birthday.

“We’ve lost a child who loved football deeply. May Jiaxuan rest in peace,” Beijing Guoan wrote in a heartfelt tribute on social media. The club also pledged to support Guo’s family and “handle all posthumous matters with utmost care.”

Guo had been a rising star in Chinese football. He represented the national U-17 team in 2023 and was previously selected for the prestigious FC Bayern World Squad, an international development program by German giants Bayern Munich.

In a poignant tribute, Guo’s brother posted a black-and-white photo of him online, writing: “He’ll forever be frozen on the last day of his 18th year.”

Last month, Guo’s family revealed that his condition had shown “no improvement” and that they were “gradually accepting reality.”

The exact circumstances of his injury remain unclear. His family has accused the Beijing Football Association of withholding key information and failing to maintain communication. They have demanded access to match footage, details of Guo’s medical care prior to hospitalization, and clarification regarding his insurance coverage.

On Tuesday, Guo’s brother posted on social media that the family “just want the truth and justice.”

In a statement released Thursday, the Beijing FA explained that it had avoided “continuously disclosing information” to prevent outside interference in Guo’s medical treatment and to respect the family’s emotions. The association added that it has now acquired video footage of the match and has arranged for experts to analyze it.

“We have made every effort to coordinate medical resources and support the family’s needs as much as possible,” the statement said.