Lionel Messi bid farewell to his father Jorge, his emotional anchor and agent since childhood who passed away following a battle with cancer aged 68. A guiding figure throughout his son’s career, Jorge Messi was his first coach who left everything behind to accompany his son to Spain. A metalworker in Rosario, Jorge was hugely influential during his son’s career, even in his latest chapter, at Inter Miami.
obituary
Legendary Italian defender Franco Baresi dies
The captain of AC Milan in the 1980s and 1990s when it won three European Cups and six Italian league titles was 66. Baresi is regarded as one of the greatest sweepers in history.
Kevin Keegan: The ‘Mighty Mouse’ who conquered Europe
Kevin Keegan earned Messiah status at Newcastle and conquered Europe with Liverpool in a remarkable career that took him from rejection by Doncaster to global stardom. Keegan, who has died aged 75 after battling cancer, made an impact on English and European football that cannot be understated. He won a host of trophies with Liverpool […]
South Africa World Cup midfielder Adams dies at 25
South African midfielder Jayden Adams, who represented his country at the ongoing World Cup, died Saturday at the age of 25, Sports Minister Gayton McKenzie said. “It is with profound shock and a heavy heart that I have learnt of the passing of Jayden Adams,” McKenzie said in a statement. The minister did not disclose […]
Former Romania coach Mircea Lucescu dies aged 80
Mircea Lucescu, who left his position as coach of the Romanian national team last week, has died at the age of 80 following a heart attack, according to a statement released on Tuesday by the Bucharest hospital where he was being treated. “Mr. Mircea Lucescu was one of Romania’s most successful football coaches and players, […]
Obituary: Marcus Ziemer made an enormous impact on California soccer
Marcus Ziemer, Sonoma State’s longtime soccer coach and a member of Northern California’s prominent Ziemer soccer family, died at the age of 63.
Vassili Cremanzidis remembered as a ‘genuinely beloved and respected man’
Cremanzidis was born and raised in Montreal, where his passing was heavily felt.
Obituary: Rocco Commisso (1949-2026)
Rocco Commisso, the owner of Fiorentina and chairman of New York-based cable company Mediacom Communications, has died. He was 76.
Obituary: Tony Field (1946-2026)
Tony Field, who started for the New York Cosmos on the right wing alongside Pelé when they beat the Seattle Sounders 2-1 to win the 1977 Soccer Bowl, died on Jan. 7 at the age of 79.
Jaro Zawislan (1971-2026)
Jaro Zawislan, a prominent coach for many years in the Syracuse area, died on Jan. 9.
