A Ballon d'Or winner bows out

English football has lost one of its greatest legends. Double Ballon d'Or winner in 1978 and 1979, Kevin Keegan passed away this Monday at the age of 75 after a battle with stage 4 cancer, following several months of fighting the illness. He died surrounded by his wife and daughters, his family announced in a statement.

Discovered at Scunthorpe United, Kevin Keegan truly made his mark at Liverpool, where he played over 300 matches and netted 100 goals between 1971 and 1977. With the Reds, he captured three English league titles, an FA Cup, two UEFA Cups, and the European Cup in 1977.

The English striker then continued his career at Hamburg, where he cemented his status as a global superstar by winning back-to-back Ballon d'Or awards. He finished his playing days at Southampton and Newcastle, while also earning 63 caps and scoring 21 goals for the England national team.

A successful transition to management

After hanging up his boots, Kevin Keegan reinvented himself as a manager. He made a lasting impression at Newcastle United, helping to revive the club, before going on to manage Fulham and the England national team, whom he led to qualification for Euro 2000. He later took charge of Manchester City and returned for a final spell in the dugout at Newcastle.

Upon news of his passing, Newcastle United paid a heartfelt tribute, hailing him as “one of the most iconic, influential, and deeply loved figures in the club's history.”

The football world has lost a true champion, whose legacy will be forever etched in the history of the game.

Nouya M'toama

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Versatile journalist specializing in sports and political news, with extensive experience across radio, print and digital media platforms.