Football: double Golden Ball and Liverpool legend, Englishman Kevin Keegan has died at the age of 75

Kevin Keegan is no more. The former English footballer and coach, double Ballon d’Or in 1978 and 1979, died at the age of 75. The football legend died following cancer diagnosed earlier this year.

“It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Kevin Keegan at the age of 75. The former player and coach of the England team was battling cancer and was surrounded by his wife and daughters in his final moments,” we learned in a statement released by those close to him.

“Kevin, a double Ballon d’Or winner, was a much-loved husband, father and grandfather. The family would like to thank Kevin’s incredible medical team for their continued support. This is an extremely difficult time and they are asking for space and privacy. »

A legendary career

Kevin Keegan was considered one of the best players of his generation and had an exceptional career, playing almost 750 matches and four English league titles with Liverpool. Above all, he won the Ballon d’Or two years in a row, in 1978 and 1979, while playing for Hamburg in the Bundesliga.

Suffering from stage 4 cancer, the former Newcastle glory wanted to say a final goodbye to the Magpies public, who planned to welcome him to St. James’Park next season. “I want to say goodbye. I didn’t get the chance when I left the club last time,” he told Sky Sports in June.

A cry from the heart which touched the English club, which said it was “devastated” by the news of his death this Monday. “Kevin was much more than a legendary footballer and coach. He was the beating heart of Newcastle United for generations of supporters,” the club wrote.