Bayern Munich Star Leaves Team Ahead Of Club World Cup Final After Ex-Girlfriend's Death

Bayern Munich defender Jerome Boateng has reportedly left the squad ahead of their FIFA Club World Cup final in Qatar following the death of his ex-girlfriend Kasia Lenhardt.

"Jerome Boateng will not be available to play for FC Bayern in Thursday's FIFA Club World Cup final against Tigres UANL. As head coach Hansi Flick explained at the press conference on Wednesday, the 32-year-old center-back will depart before the final due to personal reasons," Bayern Munich wrote in a statement on their official website.

The 25-year-old model was found dead Tuesday night, just one week after she and Boateng announced their separation on social media.

Bayern Munich are set to take on Mexican club Tigres UANL in the Club World Cup final at the Education City Stadium on Thursday.

"This has stunned us. Jerome came to me and asked me to return home. After a negative [COVID-19] test he will return home and not be available until further notice," Flick told reporters in a virtual press conference ahead of the final.

Lenhardt, who hailed from Poland, rose to fame as a contestant on Germany's version of "Next Top Model" in 2012. She dated the 32-year-old star for around 15 months before mutually parting ways earlier this month.

In her final post on Instagram after the couple's break-up, she wrote, "Now is where you draw the line. Enough."

Lenhardt was found dead in the Charlottenburg neighborhood in Berlin. Police are not considering a "third-party" involvement, saying she may have died by suicide.

"Yesterday at around 8:30 pm there was a police operation in Charlottenburg on suspicion of suicide. There are no indications of third-party negligence," Berlin police said in a statement to Bild.

Bayern Munich won a record-extending eighth consecutive German league title when they retained the Bundesliga last season, while they also won the 2019-20 Champions League by defeating Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) in the final. Even in the ongoing season, Bayern are seven points clear at the top of the table.