All these sports personalities have died
In the first quarter of 2025, we honour and remember the athletes and sports stars who have left us so far.
Celebrating their remarkable achievements and lasting legacies, this tribute serves as a memorial to those who not only excelled in their sporting fields but also profoundly impacted fans and communities worldwide.
1. Diego Jota (1997–2025)
Diego Jota was a Portuguese professional footballer renowned for his clinical finishing, pace, and versatility as a forward or winger.
He began his career at Paços de Ferreira before moving to Atlético Madrid and after loan spells at FC Porto and Wolverhampton Wanderers, he joined Wolves permanently and played a key role in their promotion to the Premier League.
In 2020, Jota signed for Liverpool where he became an integral part of the squad, helping the club win the Premier League, FA Cup, and other honours, and scoring crucial goals in domestic and European competitions.
Internationally, he represented Portugal, earning nearly 50 caps, and was part of the squads that won the UEFA Nations League in 2019 and 2025.
Diego Jota tragically died in a car accident in Spain at age 28, along with his brother André.
2. George Foreman (1949-2025)
George Foreman, the legendary heavyweight boxing champion, passed away on March 21, 2025, in Houston.
Foreman first won a world title in his 20s and made a stunning comeback in his 40s, reclaiming the heavyweight title by defeating Michael Moorer.
Outside the ring, he became a household name with his line of electric grills.
He was known for his warm personality and even dabbled in TV with a short-lived sitcom.
He is survived by his wife, children and grandchildren.
3. Tonny Blanco (1981-2025)
Tony Blanco was one of the over 60 people who died after a nightclub roof collapsed in the Dominican Republic on April 8, 2025.
Tony Blanco’s journey in baseball took him from the minor leagues to the majors and then overseas.
He played 56 games for the Washington Nationals in 2005, where he hit 215 with a home run and seven RBIs.
After leaving MLB, he found success playing in Japan and back home in the Dominican Republic.
Blanco’s legacy continues through his son, Tony Blanco Jr., who is currently part of the Pittsburgh Pirates’ farm system as of 2025.
4. Denis Law (1940 – 2025)
Denis Law is a Scottish soccer player, widely regarded as one of the greatest players of his generation.
He began his professional career with Huddersfield Town in 1956.
Law played for several clubs, including Manchester City, Torino, and most notably Manchester United where he spent eleven years and scored 237 goals in 404 appearances.
Law was part of the iconic United Trinity with George Best and Bobby Charlton.
He won the Ballon d’Or in 1964, becoming the only Scottish player to receive this prestigious award.
He passed away at the age of 84.
5. Emmanuel Kundé (1956–2025)
Ex-Cameroonian international, Emmanuel Jérôme Kundé passed away from cardiac arrest on May 16, 2025, at the age of 68.
Known for his calm composure and defensive tenacity, Kundé was a key player in Cameroon’s golden generation of the 1980s.
He was instrumental in their Africa Cup of Nations victories in 1984 and 1988, famously scoring the winning penalty in the 1988 final against Nigeria.
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