Sports Icons Lost in 2025

Abubakar Lawal, born on September 5, 1995, was a Nigerian professional footballer who played as a forward for Vipers Sports Club in the Uganda Premier League.

Lawal died in Kampala in February 2025, aged 29. Initial reports suggested he was involved in a motorcycle accident, but Ugandan police later confirmed that his death resulted from a fall from the third floor of the Voicemall Shopping Arcade in Bwebajja.

“Kajjansi Police Division is investigating the circumstances surrounding the tragic death of Nigerian national Abubakar Lawal, a professional footballer at Vipers Sports Club, who allegedly fell from the third floor of Voicemall Shopping Arcade,” Kampala Metropolitan Deputy Police spokesperson Luke Owoyesigyire said.

Police said preliminary findings showed that Lawal had arrived at the mall in his vehicle to visit a resident occupying Room 416. Investigations were ongoing at the time of the report.

Lawal joined Vipers SC in 2022 from Rwanda’s AS Kigali and played a key role in the club’s 2022–2023 Uganda Premier League title win.

Before moving to East Africa, he featured in the Nigerian Professional Football League with clubs including Kano Pillars, Nasarawa United, and Wikki Tourists.

George Foreman

George Foreman, known around the world as “Big George”, was one of boxing’s most powerful and enduring figures.

Born in 1949, Foreman rose from a difficult childhood to win Olympic gold in 1968 before becoming world heavyweight champion in 1973. His career included iconic fights against Joe Frazier and Muhammad Ali, including the famous “Rumble in the Jungle.”

After retiring in 1977, Foreman made one of sport’s most remarkable comebacks, reclaiming the heavyweight title in 1994 at the age of 45. He later became a successful businessman and household name through the George Foreman Grill.

Foreman died in Houston on March 21, 2025, at the age of 76.

Ahmed Faras

Ahmed Faras was a symbol of Moroccan football excellence and leadership.

Born in 1946, Faras spent his entire club career with Chabab Mohammédia, winning domestic titles and earning a reputation as a reliable goal scorer. At the international level, he captained Morocco for several years and represented the country at the 1970 World Cup and the 1972 Olympics.

His greatest moment came in 1976, when he led Morocco to its only Africa Cup of Nations title and was named the tournament’s best player. Faras remains Morocco’s all-time leading goalscorer and won African Footballer of the Year in 1975.

He died on July 16, 2025, aged 78, after a long illness.

Diogo Jota

Diogo Jota was known for his energy, movement and eye for goal, both for club and country.

Born in 1996, Jota began his career at Paços de Ferreira before moving through Atlético Madrid, FC Porto and Wolverhampton Wanderers. His rise continued at Liverpool, where he became a trusted attacking option and won major trophies, including the Premier League and FA Cup.

He also represented Portugal at an international level, winning the UEFA Nations League twice.

Jota and his brother, André Silva, died in a car crash in Spain on July 3, 2025. He was 28.

Christian Chukwu

Christian Chukwu, fondly known as “Chairman”, was a legendary figure in Nigerian football.

A central defender during his playing career, Chukwu captained Nigeria’s national team, then known as the Green Eagles, from 1974 to 1980. He led the team to its first Africa Cup of Nations title in 1980, becoming the first Nigerian captain to lift the trophy following a 3–0 final victory over Algeria.

Chukwu also represented Nigeria in AFCON tournaments in 1976 and 1978, finishing as runners-up on both occasions.

After retiring as a player, he moved into coaching and was appointed head coach of the Super Eagles from 2003 to 2005. Under his leadership, Nigeria reached the semi-finals of the 2004 Africa Cup of Nations.

He also coached Enugu Rangers, Kenya’s national team, and Lebanon’s Safa FC at different stages of his career. Chukwu later served as general manager and chief executive officer of Rangers International.

Chukwu remains one of the few Nigerians to have both captained and coached the national team. He died on April 12, 2025, at the age of 74.

Hulk Hogan

Hulk Hogan was one of the most recognisable faces in professional wrestling.

Born Terry Gene Bollea, Hogan rose to global fame in the 1980s with the World Wrestling Federation, where he became a six-time world champion and headlined multiple WrestleMania events.

He later played a major role in World Championship Wrestling, helping drive the wrestling boom of the 1990s as a central figure in the New World Order.

Beyond wrestling, Hogan appeared in films and on television and remained part of pop culture for decades.

In later years, Hogan faced multiple health challenges following decades in the ring and underwent several major surgeries. He died at his home in Clearwater, Florida, on July 24, 2025, at the age of 71. Medical officials said his death was caused by a heart attack.

Denis Law

Denis Law was one of Scotland’s greatest footballers and a Manchester United legend. He lived from February 24, 1940, to January 17, 2025.

Law began his professional career with Huddersfield Town before moving to Manchester City and later Torino. He joined Manchester United in 1962, where he spent 11 years and scored 237 goals in 404 appearances, making him the club’s third-highest scorer of all time.

Nicknamed “The King” by United fans, Law was part of the famous “United Trinity” alongside Bobby Charlton and George Best. He won the Ballon d’Or in 1964, becoming the only Scottish player to receive the award, and helped United win league titles in 1965 and 1967, as well as the FA Cup in 1963.

At the international level, Law earned 55 caps for Scotland, scoring 30 goals, a national record he jointly holds. He later represented Scotland at the 1974 FIFA World Cup.

In 2021, Law revealed he had been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease and vascular dementia. He died on January 17, 2025, at the age of 84.

Peter Rufai

Peter Rufai (1963–2025) was a former Super Eagles goalkeeper and one of Nigeria’s most respected footballers.

He played professionally in Europe for two decades and represented Nigeria at the 1994 and 1998 FIFA World Cups. Rufai also helped the Super Eagles win the 1994 Africa Cup of Nations.

After a protracted illness, he passed away on July 3, 2025, at the age of 61. He had two daughters, Tutu and Abiodun, and two sons, Tunde and Senbaty.

Elden Campbell

Elden Campbell (July 23, 1968 – December 1, 2025) was a former American professional basketball player who spent 15 seasons in the NBA as a power forward and centre.

Campbell was drafted by the Los Angeles Lakers in 1990 and spent nine seasons with the franchise. He later played for several other teams and won an NBA championship with the Detroit Pistons in 2004.

Over his career, Campbell played more than 1,000 NBA games and was known for his shot-blocking ability. He ranked among the Lakers’ all-time leaders in blocks and was one of the team’s key contributors during the 1990s.

Campbell died on December 1, 2025, at the age of 57 after suffering a medical emergency while fishing. Authorities said his death was accidental and caused by drowning. His nicknames were “Easy” and “Big E”.

Buvaisar Saitiev

Buvaisar Saitiev (March 11, 1975–March 2, 2025) was a Russian freestyle wrestler widely regarded as one of the greatest in the history of the sport.

Saitiev won nine world-level gold medals during his career, including three Olympic titles and six World Championships. In 2007, he was named, alongside Aleksandr Karelin, as one of the greatest wrestlers of all time by the sport’s world governing body.

After retiring from competition, Saitiev moved into public service and served as a deputy in Russia’s State Duma between 2016 and 2021. He also led the Chechen Wrestling Federation from 2015 until his death.

Saitiev died in Moscow on March 2, 2025, at the age of 49. Russian sports officials said he died after suffering cardiac arrest following a period of illness.

Enrique Collar

Spanish football player Enrique Collar (1934–2025) was among the best in Atletico Madrid’s history.

On December 30, 2025, the club announced his passing at the age of 91, calling him “a symbol who gave everything to take Atletico Madrid to the pinnacle of national and continental football.”

Collar scored 105 goals in 470 games during his 16-year tenure at Atletico Madrid (1953–1969). A left winger, he captained the team for a decade during the 1960s, making him the club’s longest-serving captain.

Under his leadership, Atletico won the Spanish league title in the 1965–1966 season and lifted three domestic cup titles. He was also part of the team that beat rivals Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabéu in the 1960 Copa del Rey final.

Collar helped Atletico win the European Cup Winners’ Cup in 1962 and earned 16 caps for Spain, representing his country at the 1962 World Cup in Chile.

He retired from football in 1970 after a final season with Valencia.