Cape Town police have opened an investigation to determine the circumstances surrounding the death of Jayden Adams, a South African national team player. The 25-year-old midfielder was found dead inside his home, according to information released this Tuesday by the Reuters agency.
Police investigate death of South African player aged 25
Cape Town police have opened an investigation to determine the circumstances surrounding the death of Jayden Adams, a South African national team player. The 25-year-old midfielder was found dead inside his home,...
Adams participated in the South African campaign in the 2026 World Cup. The player was a starter in the team's debut, on June 11, against Mexico, at the Azteca Stadium, in Mexico City. The match ended with a 2-0 Mexican victory.
He returned to start playing in the 1–1 draw with the Czech Republic on June 18 at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. The confrontation took place just one day after the death of his grandmother, Marianna.
In the following games, Adams lost his place in the starting lineup. In the 1-0 victory over South Korea, he came on in the 80th minute replacing Relebohile Mofokeng. In the 1-0 defeat to Canada, in the round of 32, he remained on the bench.
South Africa's elimination took place on June 28. Just over a week later, on July 6, the player's body was found at his home in the Schotsche Kloof neighborhood of Cape Town.
The South African Football Federation confirmed the death, but did not release details about the possible causes. Authorities are now trying to clarify what happened.
On Sunday (12), the athlete's father, Juanito Adams, spoke for the first time about the loss. In an interview with South African broadcaster eNCA, he stated that the family is still trying to assimilate the death.
"The family is having a hard time processing all of this. It won't be easy to move forward," he said.
"People say it will get easier, but it won't. You just learn to live with it. Let's see what time has in store for us. The whole world is reacting to Jayden's death. It's very complicated. You can see the affection that people had for his football and for who he was," he added.
South African Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture, Gayton McKenzie, also paid tribute to the player. In a statement, he highlighted Adams' decision to take the field even after his grandmother's death.
According to the minister, the fact that the athlete wore the national team's shirt and dedicated himself to the country in a time of mourning demonstrated maturity, professionalism and strength of character.
“That says a lot about the young man South Africa has lost,” he said.
World Cup player found dead at age 25
South Africa and Mamelodi Sundowns midfielder Jayden Adams was found dead in a house in Cape Town. The police are investigating the circumstances of the death
Source:
Noticias ao Minuto - Ultima Hora
