Beijing Guoan Player Guo Jiaxuan Dies After Injury in Spain

Guo Jiaxuan, an 18-year-old player for the Beijing Guoan Football Club, passed away on Wednesday. The young athlete suffered a severe injury during a friendly match in Spain in February, which led to a diagnosis of brain death. The Beijing Football Association (BFA) announced his passing on Thursday.

The BFA expressed deep sadness and heartbreak over Guo's death. They stated that they had worked diligently to secure medical resources and support for his treatment since his injury on February 6th. The association also mentioned that they had refrained from releasing details about the match and treatment out of respect for the family's privacy and to avoid disrupting medical efforts.

The BFA has obtained and notarized the training match footage in coordination with Spanish authorities. This footage is currently under expert review. The association has pledged to fully support Guo's family and protect his legal rights.

Guo, a defender for Beijing Guoan's U19 team, had a promising career. He participated in national U-series and Youth Super League events, earning the Best Player title. In 2023, he was selected for the China U17 national men's football team. He was also the only Chinese player chosen for the Bayern World Team roster in June 2023.

The Beijing Guoan Football Club expressed their sorrow, stating that they had lost a young player with a deep passion for football. The club confirmed they would continue to assist with arrangements and provide support to Guo's family.

In February, a user claiming to be a family member of Guo posted on the Chinese social app RedNote, also known as Xiaohongshu, about Guo's brain death diagnosis. The post also raised concerns about his medical treatment and compensation for his return to China. The BFA issued a statement on February 13th following the post's public attention.

The injury occurred on the morning of February 6th, local time in Spain, during a friendly match between the Beijing U20 Football Team and the Spanish club RC Alcobendas. Guo fell into a coma after the accidental injury. Medical personnel from both teams provided immediate assistance, and emergency responders arrived with an ambulance and helicopter. He was airlifted to a top neurology hospital, where doctors diagnosed him with brain death after intensive efforts.