Saturday 31 July 2021
Ajax mourns young strikers
16-year-old soccer talent dies in a car accident
Noah Gesser acquired the reputation of a storm talent in the youth of Ajax Amsterdam – but now his tragic death shakes football. The 16-year-old is on the road with his brother when their car gets into oncoming traffic and collides with an oncoming taxi.
Dutch football is in mourning. Noah Gesser, a talented striker from Ajax Amsterdam, was killed in a serious traffic accident on Friday evening. The 16-year-old was sitting in a car with his two-year-old brother when, according to media reports, the car went off the lane and collided with an oncoming taxi on the other side of the lane. Even the 18-year-old did not survive the accident.
“Ajax is deeply moved by this tragic incident,” said the Dutch record champions with condolences, confirming the young footballer’s accident. “The club wishes Gesser’s loved ones strength in coping with this immense loss,” the club wrote in a statement. As reported by the Dutch daily De Telegraaf, the taxi driver was taken straight to the hospital, but his body was largely in good shape. Ajax also immediately announced that they would hold a minute’s silence for the 16-year-old at the games this weekend, and the players should wear a black ribbon. According to media reports, the flags on the training grounds are set to half-mast.
The 16-year-old switched to Ajax’s youth department in 2018, and had earned the reputation of a hopeful storm talent with strong performances, exceptional speed and a good finish on goal. He scored eleven times in six league games for Amsterdam’s U16s and should play for the U17s in the coming season.
Immediately after the news of the tragic loss, the first expressions of mourning from the world of football were received. Jérôme Boateng, after leaving FC Bayern without a new club, wrote on Twitter: “That’s sad to hear. Rest in peace, Noah Gesser”. Real Madrid tweeted: “We mourn the death of Noah Gesser. Real Madrid would like to offer condolences to his family and loved ones, team-mates and club.”
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