Jayden Adams’ longtime partner and mother to his 5-year-old daughter, Aqueelah Adendorf, has broken her silence following the South African soccer star’s shocking death.
“There are no words to describe the pain I’m feeling,” Adendorf wrote via Instagram on Saturday, July 11, hours after the soccer star’s death was announced. “Rest in peace, my love. Thank you for every memory, every laugh, every hug, and every moment we shared. You were not only the love of my life but also my greatest supporter and my best friend.”
She continued in the caption, shared alongside a number of photos featuring the pair holding hands, “A part of my heart left with you, and I will carry your love with me forever. Until we meet again, I’ll miss you every single day. Rest easy, my angle. I love you always and forever.”
On Saturday, the South African Football Players Union announced the midfielder, who played for both the Mamelodi Sundowns and Bafana Bafana, had died unexpectedly.
“His passing is an immeasurable loss to his family, teammates, clubs, the football fraternity and the country at large,” the statement, shared via X, continued. “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 humanity, his extraordinary talent and the pride with which he represented South Africa.”
Adams appeared in South Africa’s 2-0 World Cup loss to Mexico and it’s 1-1 draw with the Czech Republic. He was a substitute player in the national team’s 1-0 win over South Korea, but he did not appear in the team’s loss to Canada, which knocked South Africa out of 2026 World Cup competition.
According to Gayton McKenzie, South Africa’s minister of sports, arts and culture, authorities have not established an official cause of death at the time of publication. Any information regarding the ongoing investigation into the athlete’s death will be disseminated by the proper authorities when appropriate, the minister added.
Weeks before his death, Adendorf shared a touching tribute to the soccer star ahead of his 2026 World Cup debut.
“Watching you achieve something this big has filled my heart with so much pride,” Adendort wrote via Instagram on May 27, before Adams and the South Africa national team appeared in this year’s World Cup tournament – the first appearance for South Africa in 16 years.
“From the hard work, sacrifices, early mornings, disappointments, and moments nobody saw — you keep going, stayed disciplined, and trusted God through it all,” she continued in the caption, shared alongside three photos of the couple posing for the camera. “And now look at you… representing your country on then national team.”
She added at the time, “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.”
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