Heartbreaking footage of dead World Cup star Jayden Adams has resurfaced from the moments following his final appearance with the South Africa team.
Adams, 25, was found dead on Saturday morning in Schotschekloof, Cape Town, just weeks after featuring twice in the World Cup. His cause of death is unconfirmed.
It is devastating news which has rocked the football community and left his girlfriend, Aqueelah Adendorf, and her five-year-old daughter in mourning. Players during both quarter-final matches overnight paid tribute to him with a minute of silence.
Now a video involving Adams has emerged from South Africa’s dressing room during their celebrations after they beat South Korea 1-0 to reach the last 32.
While everybody else in the video is singing, dancing, and banging on the table, Adams is sat down and appears to be having a quiet moment of contemplation.
Adams, who had come off the bench in that match to see out the win, looked unresponsive to the party going on around him and preferred to watch.
Footage has emerged of South Africa star Jayden Adams sat down during the team’s celebrations after they beat South Korea 1-0
Adams, 25, was found dead on Saturday just weeks after playing in the World Cup
His girlfriend expressed her ‘pride’ with his World Cup selection just weeks before his death
We do not know the full context of the clip, but we do know that even being there was an achievement and a show of great character from the midfielder.
In the lead up to the tournament, he was mourning the death of his grandmother, Marianna Adams.
She died just two weeks before the World Cup kicked off, and was buried on June 27 while Adams remained on international duty in the United States.
He was also still grieving the loss of one of his closest friends, South African youth footballer Oshwin Andries, who was killed three years ago.
Andries was stabbed in February 2023 and died in hospital in Stellenbosch – his family alleged he did not receive adequate medical treatment after he was discharged then later readmitted to the emergency unit.
Less than 24 hours before his shock passing was reported, the 25-year-old reposted a photo of himself and girlfriend Aqueelah Adendorf on Instagram.
Adendorf has taken to the social-media platform to thank people for ‘kind condolences and messages of support’ in the wake of her boyfriend’s death, while adding that they ‘truly mean a lot to me and [five-year-old daughter] Allaia during this difficult time.’
Following the heartbreaking news, her emotional pre-World Cup message to Adams has also resurfaced, in which she gushed over how ‘inspiring’ he is as he prepared for the tournament.
He reposted a photo of himself and his partner less than 24 hours before the news of his death
Adams has died at the age of 25 after featuring twice for South Africa at the tournament
Tributes have flooded in for the Mamelodi Sundowns midfielder following his shock passing
‘Watching you achieve something this big has filled my heart with so much pride,’ Adendorf wrote alongside a picture of them together in an Instagram post on May 27.
‘From the hard work, sacrifices, early mornings, disappointments, and moments nobody saw — you kept going, stayed disciplined, and trusted God through it all. And now look at you… representing your country on the national team.
‘I don’t think you even realize how inspiring you are. You deserve every single moment of this because I’ve seen how much you’ve worked for it. Through every challenge, you never gave up on your dream, and that alone makes me so proud to stand beside you and support you through it all.
‘No matter how far this journey takes you, just know I’ll always be your biggest supporter, loudest cheerleader, and safest place.
‘This is only the beginning for you, my love. May God continue to guide your steps, protect you, and open even bigger doors for your future. Keep shining, keep believing, and keep making us proud. Your hard work is finally paying off and I know there’s still so much more greatness waiting for you.
‘“Commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will be established.” — Proverbs 16:3’.
Announcing Adams’ death, the South African Football Players Union wrote: ‘The SAFPU is devastated by the untimely passing of Mamelodi Sundowns and Bafana Bafana midfielder, Jayden Adams.
‘Jayden had only recently represented South Africa at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, carrying the hopes of the nation with pride, courage, and distinction.
‘His passing is an immeasurable loss to his family, teammates, clubs, the football fraternity and country at large.
‘We extend our deepest condolences to the Adams family, Mamelodi Sundowns, Stellenbosch FC, Bafana Bafana and all those whose lives he touched.
‘South African football has lost a gifted player, a proud servant of the game and a young life that still had so much to offer.
‘May his soul rest in eternal peace.’
The union also posted on social media platform X: ‘Death has cruelly stolen one of our own. It has robbed our nation of a remarkable footballer, but it will never take away the legacy Jayden Adams leaves behind. We will forever remember his humility, his extraordinary talent and the pride with which he represented South Africa.
‘Rest in eternal peace, Jayden. You will never be forgotten.’
