KUALA LUMPUR – Six-time European champions Bayern Munich have confirmed the tragic death of 18-year-old Guo Jiaxuan, who passed away in his native China after suffering a severe head injury during a training match in Spain last month.
According to international media reports, Jiaxuan, a promising centre-back, sustained the injury on February 6 when he was struck in the head by an opponent’s knee.
It is understood he suffered a subarachnoid haemorrhage, a rare type of stroke caused by bleeding on the brain’s surface. He was rushed to a hospital in Madrid, where doctors informed his family that he was brain dead.
Jiaxuan was a proud member of Bayern’s 2023 World Squad, an initiative that provides young talents from across the globe with the opportunity to showcase their potential at a professional level. He had also represented China at the Under-17 level.
Bayern Munich released a statement on Thursday, saying: “FC Bayern is mourning the passing of Guo Jiaxuan, the former World Squad player who has died at the age of 18 in his native China.
“He succumbed to the effects of a serious head injury following a tragic accident during a training match in Spain on February 6. The club’s thoughts are with his family and friends.”
The club also paid tribute to Jiaxuan’s contributions to both the club’s development programme and China’s youth national teams. — March 20, 2025