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FIFA President Gianni Infantino paid tribute to the late Jayden Adams following the South African soccer player’s death at age 25.
“It’s so incredibly sad to hear that South Africa midfielder Jayden Adams has passed away just weeks after featuring in his nation’s historic World Cup campaign,” Infantino, 56, said in a statement on Saturday, July 11. “My thoughts and condolences, as well as those of everyone at FIFA and the global football community, are with his family, friends and teammates.”
The FIFA executive added, “The Bafana Bafana and Mamelodi Sundowns star will be sorely missed. May he rest in peace.”
Earlier in the day, the South African Football Players Union (SAFPU) released a statement amid international reports that Adams — a midfielder for Bafana Bafana and the Mamelodi Sundowns — had been found dead in Cape Town.
“Jayden had only recently represented South Africa at the FIFA World Cup, carrying the hopes of the nation with pride, courage and distinction,” the organization said. “His passing is an immeasurable loss to his family, teammates, clubs, the football fraternity and the country at large. We extend our deepest condolences to the Adams family, Mamelodi Sundowns, Stellenbosch FC, Bafana Bafana and all those whose lives he touched. South African football has lost a gifted player, a proud servant of the game and a young life that still had so much to offer. May his soul rest in eternal peace.”
An additional X post from SAFPU grieved that “death has cruelly stolen one of our own.”
“It has robbed our nation of a remarkable footballer, but it will never take away the legacy Jayden Adams leaves behind,” the group’s statement went on. “We will forever remember his humility, his extraordinary talent and the pride with which he represented South Africa. Rest in eternal peace, Jayden. You will never be forgotten.”
The Mamelodi Sundowns remembered Adams as a “highly talented” team member.
“We pray that the Almighty God comforts and strengthens the Adams family, his friends and everyone that knew him,” their statement read. “Sundowns respectfully ask that the family’s privacy be honoured as they grieve this profound loss.”
England and Norway players observe a minute of silence for Jayden Adams. Getty Images; PATRICIA DE MELO MOREIRA / AFP
Adams recently played during South Africa’s 2-0 World Cup loss to Mexico and its 1-1 draw with the Czech Republic, before entering as a substitute player as part of his team’s 1-0 win over South Korea. The midfielder did not get any playing time when South Africa was knocked out of the Round of 32 by Canada at the Los Angeles Stadium in Inglewood on June 28.
In the wake of his death, the England and Norway teams gathered in the midfield before Saturday’s World Cup quarterfinal match at Miami’s Hard Rock Stadium for a moment of silence in Adams’ honor.
Aside from the sporting world, Adams’ longtime partner and mother of his 5-year-old daughter, Aqueelah Adendorf, broke her silence on Saturday with a solemn memorial message.
“There are no words to describe the pain I’m feeling,” Adendorf wrote via Instagram on Saturday “Rest in peace, my love. Thank you for every memory, every laugh, every hug, and every moment we shared. You were not only the love of my life but also my greatest supporter and my best friend.”
She concluded, “A part of my heart left with you, and I will carry your love with me forever. Until we meet again, I’ll miss you every single day. Rest easy, my angle. I love you always and forever.”
