Belgian soccer players

Junior Malanda was killed in a car crash in Germany on Saturday, bringing a tragic end to what appeared to be a promising soccer career.

The Belgium Under-21 midfielder was the passenger in a car that crashed near the German city of Bielefeld, police said.

“According to German newspaper Bild, Malanda was a passenger in a car that police believe was travelling at high speed in poor conditions near Porta Westfalica in north-central Germany, with winds in excess of 40 mph. The Volkswagen Touareg vehicle skidded off the road, passed through a guardrail and came to rest at a tree. Malanda was reportedly ejected from the car and died instantly. Two other passengers have been taken to a local hospital.”

Within hours of Malanda’s death, many players shared their shock and condolences. The suddenness of his death was especially stinging for his Wolfsburg teammates.

Wolfsburg teammate Kevin de Bruyne wrote that it was difficult to fathom Malanda being gone.

— Kevin De Bruyne (@DeBruyneKev)

You will always be around!! @JuniorMalanda

Fellow teammate Nicklas Bendtner said on Instagram, “Not only a great player, but a great person. My thoughts and prayers will always be with you and your family brother. Your kind heart was rare and special. You will always be remembered.”

The Royal Belgian Football Association also shared its condolences, tweeting, “The world of football has lost a great talent today. URBSFA sends its condolences to his family & friends #ripmalanda.”

At the time of his death, Junior Malanda was on his way to meet with teammates, who were flying to South Africa together for a training camp.