Jayden Adams‘ his old partner and mother to his five-year-old daughter, Aqueelah Adendorfbroke the silence following the shocking death of a South African footballer.
“There are no words to describe the pain I feel,” Adendorf wrote on Instagram on Saturday, July 11, hours after the soccer star’s death was announced. “Rest in peace, my love. Thank you for every memory, laugh, hug, and every moment we shared. You were not only the love of my life but also my biggest supporter and best friend.”
He continued in the caption, sharing alongside a number of photos showing the two holding hands, “Part of my heart remains with you, and I will carry your love with me forever. Until we meet again, I will miss you every single day. Rest easy, my lord. I love you always and forever.”
On Saturday the South African Football Players Union announced that the midfielder who played for Mamelodi Sundowns and Bafana Bafana has died suddenly.
“His passing is an immeasurable loss to his family, colleagues, clubs, football team and the entire country,” the statement, shared on X, continued. “Death stole one of us. It robbed our nation of an amazing footballer, but it will never take away the history Jayden Adams left behind. We will always remember his personality, his amazing talent and the pride with which he represented South Africa.”
Adams appeared when South Africa lost 2-0 in the World Cup to Mexico and drew 1-1 with the Czech Republic. He was a substitute when the national team defeated South Korea 1-0, but did not appear when the team lost to Canada, which eliminated South Africa from the 2026 World Cup.
In accordance with Gayton McKenzieSouth Africa’s minister of sports, arts and culture, authorities have not determined the official cause of death at press time. Any information about the ongoing investigation into the athlete’s death will be released by the relevant authorities if necessary, the minister said.
A few weeks before his death, Adendorf shared a touching tribute to the soccer star ahead of his 2026 World Cup debut.
“Watching you achieve something like this filled my heart with so much pride,” Adendort wrote on Instagram on May 27, before Adams and the South African national team appeared at this year’s World Cup – South Africa’s first appearance in 16 years.
“From the hard work, the sacrifices, the early mornings, the disappointments, and the moments no one saw – you keep going, stay grounded, and trust God through it all,” she continued in the caption, which was shared alongside three photos of the couple posing for the camera. “And now look at you … representing your country in the national team at that time.”
He added at the time, “I don’t think you realize how inspiring you are. You deserve one minute of this because I saw how hard you worked. Through all the challenges, you never gave up on your dream, and that alone makes me proud to stand by you and support you through it all.”
