South African midfielder Jayden Adams, who represented his country at the ongoing World Cup, has died at the age of 25, Sports Minister Gayton McKenzie announced on Saturday.
McKenzie expressed shock over the death of the young footballer but did not disclose the cause.
“It is with profound shock and a heavy heart that I have learnt of the passing of Jayden Adams,” the minister said in a statement.
“South African football has lost one of its brightest young talents,” he added.
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) also paid tribute to Adams, writing on X: “Football has lost one of its own.”
Police said they had launched an investigation after the body of a 25-year-old man was discovered at a house in Schotschekloof, a suburb of central Cape Town, on Saturday morning.
“Circumstances surrounding this incident are under investigation,” Western Cape police spokesperson FC van Wyk told AFP.
Adams featured in all three of South Africa’s group-stage matches at the World Cup, helping Bafana Bafana reach the Round of 32 for the first time. He did not play in their knockout-stage defeat by Canada.
The midfielder was also part of the South African squad that finished third at the 2024 Africa Cup of Nations in Ivory Coast.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino said he was “so incredibly sad to hear” of Adams’ death, describing the loss as a tragedy for the global football community.
“My thoughts and condolences, as well as those of everyone at FIFA and the global football community, are with his family, friends and teammates,” Infantino said.
Born in Cape Town, Adams rose through the Stellenbosch FC academy before becoming the club’s first youth graduate to sign a professional contract in August 2020.
He went on to make 139 appearances for the Cape Winelands club, helping them win the Carling Knockout in 2023 before moving to Mamelodi Sundowns in January 2025.
At Sundowns, Adams added the Premiership title and CAF Champions League crown to his honours.
His death comes less than a month after the passing of his grandmother, shortly before South Africa’s Group A match against Czechia at Atlanta Stadium.
“Jayden started in the match against Czechia and gave his all while carrying the burden of losing his grandmother,” the South African Football Association said at the time.
AFP
