South Africa pays tribute to footballer Jayden Adams after his death following his participation in the World Cup
Nairobi, July 16 (EFE)
Family, teammates, managers and fans paid tribute this Thursday to South African footballer Jayden Adams, midfielder for Mamelodi Sundowns and the national team, who died last Saturday at the age of 25 almost two weeks after playing in the 2026 World Cup.
The first ceremony, private and by invitation only, was held between 09.00 and 12.00 local time (07.00 and 10.00 GMT) at the Stellenbosch Town Hall, the southwestern city where the footballer grew up and where he started his career at the club.
A second service, open to the public, is scheduled for 5:00 p.m. (3:00 p.m. GMT) at the same location.
The tribute was jointly organized by the family, Mamelodi Sundowns, the Forward Zone agency, which represented the player, and other actors in South African football, explained family spokesman and close friend of Adams, Brendine Johnson.
Representatives from the South African Football Association (SAFA), clubs from the country, teammates, family members and other actors who accompanied the sporting and personal development of the midfielder were invited to the event.
Johnson stated that the family has received a wave of condolences that reflects the stature Adams achieved in South Africa and beyond.
“I don’t think his parents really knew how big his profile was,” Johnson told South African public broadcaster SABC.
Calls from Messi and Ronaldo
According to the spokesman, the family received calls and messages from international football figures, including FIFA President Gianni Infantino; SAFA President Danny Jordan; and stars such as Argentina’s Lionel Messi, Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo, and Norway’s Erling Haaland.
“It’s a huge blow for everyone. We understand there are many questions, but what the family needs now is the same support he received on the field,” he added.
Johnson noted that the proposed date for the funeral is July 25 and explained that the family sent information to South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, awaiting a response on the possibility of the funeral being a “provincial funeral,” an honor recognized by the State and approved by the head of state.
At the entrance to the City Hall, a large portrait of Adams wearing the national team jersey was placed, while yellow and white flowers and candles were arranged in front of the stage in tribute to the player.
The family spokesperson described Adams as a humble, reserved, and generous person who didn’t want people to know what he did for others.
“He always wanted to create hope for the next generation through his football,” said Johnson, who summed up his legacy for young people in one sentence: “Less talk, more action.”
In his opinion, Adams showed “resilience, persistence and self-confidence” after experiencing difficult times at Mamelodi Sundowns, and set an example that young people should not give up “no matter what the world or the media says.”
Adams died last Saturday in Cape Town (southwest), about 50 kilometers from Stellenbosch in circumstances that are still under police investigation, after his body was found in a building after having participated with ‘Bafana Bafana’, as the South African team is known, in the 2026 World Cup.
South African Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture Gayton McKenzie stated at the time that the cause of death had not yet been confirmed and urged the media and the public to avoid speculation. EFE
