“You were not only the love of my life but also my greatest supporter and my best friend.
South African footballer Jayden Adams was found dead in Cape Town weeks after he helped his side make the knockout stages of the tournament. Photo / Getty Images
“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 angel. I love you always and forever.”
The mid-fielder’s father, Juanito Adams, told South African broadcaster eNCA the family were waiting on the results of an autopsy and had not made funeral plans.
“As you all know, it was an untimely death, the family is struggling to process it,” Juanito Adams said.
“It won’t be easy to carry on, people say it will become easier, but it won’t.
“You just learn to live with it.”
Jayden Adams played in the African nation’s three group games, but didn’t step on the pitch for their round of 32 loss to tournament co-hosts Canada.
After his death was announced, South African Sports Minister Gayton McKenzie said the country’s football team had lost one of its “brightest young talents”.
A cause of death has not been released, but Cape Town central police told Associated Press an inquest was registered after the discovery of his body.
“Circumstances surrounding this incident are under investigation.”
Police said the body was found in Cape Town’s Schotsche Kloof neighbourhood about 11am on Saturday, July 11.
Tributes and moments of silence were held for Jayden at the England v Norway and Argentina v Switzerland quarter-final fixtures.
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