Kevin Keegan: Former Liverpool and England great dies aged 75 after cancer battle

Kevin Keegan, one of English football’s most iconic figures and a double Ballon d’Or winner, has died at the age of 75 after a battle with cancer, his family has announced.

The former Liverpool, Newcastle United, Hamburg and England forward, famed for his relentless energy and charisma on and off the pitch, passed away having been treated for the illness. Keegan’s death comes as the global game is still processing the aftermath of a dramatic 2026 World Cup that reshaped football’s balance of power.

Liverpool and England legend

Keegan rose to prominence in the 1970s with Liverpool, where he won three league titles, the European Cup, and the UEFA Cup. His all-action style, leadership and goals made him a hero at Anfield and a central figure in England’s national team, for whom he won 63 caps and scored 21 goals.

He later became a superstar in Germany with Hamburg, winning the Bundesliga and the Ballon d’Or twice, before returning to England with Southampton and Newcastle United. As a manager, he is best remembered for his swashbuckling Newcastle side of the mid-1990s that thrilled neutrals and pushed Manchester United in one of the Premier League’s most famous title races.

News of his death is expected to prompt tributes from across the football world, particularly from clubs and players who grew up inspired by his achievements.

Spain crowned world champions again

Keegan’s passing coincides with a period of significant change at the summit of international football, after Spain claimed their second World Cup with a dramatic 1-0 victory over Argentina at MetLife Stadium.

Ferran Torres struck a decisive goal in the 106th minute against a 10-man Argentina side, denying Lionel Messi a fairytale ending to his international career. Spain, hailed as a new golden generation, dominated large spells of the final and underlined their status as the sport’s emerging power.

Thousands of Spanish fans poured onto the streets of Madrid after the final whistle, turning the capital into a sea of red and yellow as they celebrated the country’s return to the pinnacle of the game.

Messi heartbreak and allegations of bias

The defeat was a crushing blow for Messi, whose final World Cup appearance had been widely billed as a potential crowning moment in an already extraordinary career.

In the aftermath of the tournament, former Netherlands international Rafael van der Vaart sharply criticised FIFA, alleging that Argentina and Messi had been given favourable treatment throughout the competition. He claimed the governing body showed “tournament bias” towards the South Americans, comments likely to add further controversy to an already emotionally charged final.

South Africa’s historic World Cup run

The 2026 tournament also delivered one of the most compelling underdog stories in recent World Cup history.

South Africa’s Bafana Bafana defied widespread expectations to reach the knockout stages, a run that former England midfielder Gareth Barry described as “one of the best stories” of the competition. Their progress has been hailed as a landmark achievement for African football and a source of renewed optimism within the South African game.

Power struggle in South African football

Off the pitch, South African football is facing a fierce internal battle ahead of the South African Football Association (SAFA) presidential elections scheduled for September 2026.

AmaZulu FC chairman Sandile Zungu has emerged as a high-profile challenger to long-serving SAFA president Danny Jordaan. Zungu’s bid is set to test Jordaan’s grip on power and could reshape the governance of the sport in the country.

Lebogang Riet, a member of SAFA’s National Executive Committee and leader of the Save Our SAFA movement, has alleged that regions critical of the current administration are being targeted in the build-up to the vote. Riet claims that those opposing the leadership are facing victimisation, raising questions about fairness and transparency in the electoral process.

Kaizer Chiefs youngster eyes global stage

At club level, South African giants Kaizer Chiefs have been using pre-season to measure themselves against international opposition.

Nineteen-year-old goalkeeper Naphtali Mokoena says he gained vital experience during Chiefs’ tour of Spain and believes Amakhosi are now better equipped to compete with top sides from abroad. The youngster’s emergence offers a glimpse of the next generation hoping to carry South African football forward, at a time when the global game is both mourning a legend and celebrating new champions.