18-year-old talented Chinese footballer brain dead after head injury during training

Chinese defender Guo Jiaxuan. Photo by Bayern Munich

The incident occurred on Feb. 6 while Guo, a member of Beijing Guoan's U20 team, was participating in a match against Alcobendas in Madrid, Spain.

In the match, Guo was accidentally struck in the head by an opponent's knee, leaving him in a coma. Medical personnel from both teams quickly provided first aid before he was airlifted to a nearby hospital.

Despite emergency treatment, doctors diagnosed Guo as "brain dead" four hours later. Under Spanish law, hospitals may cease treatment after such a diagnosis, prompting the Beijing Football Association (BFA) to plead with the hospital to continue care while arranging remote consultations with Chinese medical experts.

On Feb. 8, Guo's family arrived at the hospital and within days, arrangements were made to transport him back to Beijing via a special rescue flight.

The BFA released a statement vowing to fight for his recovery, saying: "We will not give up and will try our best to save him, even if there is only a glimmer of hope."

According to the South China Morning Post, Guo's brother revealed he "has very little chance of survival." The doctors had informed the family of significant internal bleeding and had considered removing his life support.

The family later expressed frustration on social media, holding the BFA accountable for the situation. While the federation initially pledged full responsibility, it later clarified that it would only cover the medical expenses in Spain and share the cost of his treatment in Beijing with the family.

Guo, born in 2006, rose to prominence as a top defender in Chinese youth football. Recognized as the best player at the national youth tournament, he was called up to China's U17 team in 2023. Later that year, he became the sole Chinese player selected for the Bayern World Team, a program that highlights young talents from Bayern Munich's global network.