A teenage girl footballer has died after weeks in a coma suffering from the killer brain bug meningitis.

Naomi Mendoza, 17, collapsed at the end of last month (August) and was rushed to hospital in Spain’s Canary Islands.

She died, reports local media, on 5th September after a series of complications caused by what doctors said was a meningitis infection.

The condition, which affects the protective membranes of the brain and spinal cord, is often life-threatening.

Naomi was the goalkeeper for the Canary Islands Under-17 women’s national team.

Despite her young age, Naomi had played for various teams such as CF Las Majoreras Guayadeque, CD Iregui, CD Universitario, CD Achaman, and CD Guiniguada Apolinario.

Some of the clubs have bid farewell to the goalkeeper and expressed their condolences to her family.

The Interinsular Football Federation of Las Palmas said in a statement: “Canarian football mourns the loss of a young player who had a bright future ahead of her.

“We all had hopes that Naomi would overcome this. She was an amazing girl both in character and in her qualities.”

Its president Jose Juan Arencibia called for a minute’ silence during all matches played over the weekend in the province of Las Palmas.

Naomi’s Guiniguada team shared a message on social media saying: “We will always remember your smile, your determination, and your zest for life.”