Guo Jiaxuan, an 18-year-old Chinese footballer, tragically passed away on Wednesday, March 19, in Beijing after suffering a severe brain injury while training in Spain.
The incident happened on February 6 during a practice match against RC Alcobendas. Guo was accidentally struck in the head by a knee, causing an intracranial hemorrhage that left him in a state of brain death. Despite doctors’ efforts, he was declared clinically dead after four hours of emergency treatment.
Following the accident, he was airlifted to a hospital in Spain, where he received immediate medical attention. However, due to the severity of his condition, he was flown back to China on February 13 for further care. He was admitted to Tiantan Hospital in Beijing, where doctors worked to keep him stable for over a month. Sadly, his condition never improved, and he passed away on March 19—just one day before his 19th birthday.
Football Mourns
Guo’s family, with the support of various organizations, arranged for his return to China. Despite all efforts to keep him alive, the lack of oxygen to his brain and the extensive bleeding made recovery impossible. His brother later shared on the Chinese social media platform Xiaohongshu that doctors had warned them about Guo’s extremely low chances of survival.
Guo Jiaxuan had traveled to Spain to train with the Beijing team in preparation for a national championship in China. His talent and dedication to the sport earned him a spot in an international youth development program run by Bayern Munich in 2023. Despite his young age, Guo had already made a name for himself, standing out in national youth championships and the Chinese U-19 Super League.
News of his passing has deeply shaken the football community. FC Bayern, one of the clubs where he trained, expressed its sorrow over the loss of such a promising young player. The Beijing Football Association and Beijing Guoan have also shown their support for Guo’s family during this difficult time.
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