Chinese footballer Guo Jiaxuan dies after head injury in Spain

18-year-old Chinese footballer Guo Jiaxuan passed away on Wednesday evening, just a day before his 19th birthday.

The young defender, who was part of Beijing Guoan’s U-19 team and had represented China’s U-17 national team, succumbed to a severe head injury sustained during a training match in Spain last month.

The accident occurred during a friendly match between the Beijing men’s U-20 team and Spanish side RC Alcobendas in Madrid. Guo fell into a coma shortly after the incident and was declared “brain dead” by a local hospital in Spain.

He was later transferred to a hospital in Beijing, where his condition continued to deteriorate until his passing.

Guo’s family had accused the Beijing Football Association (BFA) of withholding critical information about the incident and failing to communicate effectively with them.

They have demanded access to video footage of the match, details about Guo’s medical treatment prior to hospitalization, and information regarding his insurance coverage.

In a statement, Beijing Guoan expressed deep sorrow over the loss, saying, “We’ve lost a child who loves football. May Jiaxuan rest in peace!”

The club also pledged to provide all necessary support to Guo’s family during this difficult time.

The Beijing FA, meanwhile, defended its decision to limit information disclosure, stating that it was done to “avoid irrelevant personnel interfering with medical work” and to respect the family’s feelings.

The association confirmed that it has now obtained video footage of the match and is coordinating with experts to analyze the incident.

Guo Jiaxuan was a rising star in Chinese football, having been part of the FC Bayern World Squad project in 2023.

His untimely death has sparked an outpouring of grief on social media, with fans and fellow players expressing their condolences.

“Condolences, there is no treatment for brain death,” one user wrote, while another added, “It’s a loss of such a bright future at such a young age.”

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