As 2025 comes to an end, it is time to remember the figures who passed away during these 12 months, leaving behind a profound legacy in sports. Diogo Jota, George Foreman, Leo Beenhakker, and Hulk Hogan are among the iconic names who left us this year.
Diogo Jota, Hulk Hogan and Other Major Sports Stars Who Died in 2025
The year did not only leave great achievements and unforgettable moments, but also painful losses that deeply marked the world of sports.
Diogo Jota, a Liverpool star who will never be forgotten
Diogo Jota died in a tragic accident, alongside his brother Andre Silva, while traveling from Portugal to England. The shock was immense, and tributes from Liverpool and its supporters have not stopped since.
Jota won several titles, most notably a Premier League title during his five seasons with Liverpool, as well as two UEFA Nations League trophies with Portugal.
Hulk Hogan, a WWE and movie icon
Terry Bollea, better known as Hulk Hogan, passed away at the age of 71. His legacy extended far beyond professional wrestling, where he was a central figure in the global boom of the WWE as an entertainment powerhouse.
Hogan also made his mark in cinema, with his most memorable appearance coming in Rocky III, where he portrayed a wrestler who faces the film’s protagonist in an exhibition match.
Leo Beenhakker, the coach of Real Madrid’s “Quinta del Buitre”
Leo Beenhakker remains one of the most remembered managers of Real Madrid’s legendary Quinta del Buitre, playing a role in three of the club’s five consecutive league titles.
He also coached Feyenoord, Ajax, the Netherlands national team, and Club América in Mexico, where he did not win trophies but built one of the most entertaining teams of his era.
Miguel Ángel Russo, farewell to a Boca Juniors great
Miguel Ángel Russo had returned to manage Boca Juniors when illness gradually forced him away from the game.
His career left a strong imprint in Argentina, especially with Boca, where he won the 2007 Copa Libertadores, as well as in Colombian football. He was known for his organized teams and his ability to motivate players.
George Foreman, a heavyweight boxing powerhouse
George Foreman drew attention from the very beginning thanks to his devastating punching power, becoming one of the most feared heavyweights of his generation and a historic rival of Joe Frazier.
His most enduring legacy came from being part of the legendary “Rumble in the Jungle” against Muhammad Ali in 1974, one of the most iconic fights in boxing history.
Xabier Azkargorta, the iconic mustache of Bolivian football
Xabier Azkargorta became famous for his motto “you play the way you live” and for taking charge of teams in difficult situations.
On the international stage, he achieved a historic feat by qualifying Bolivia for the 1994 World Cup, leading a memorable generation that included Platini Sánchez and Marco Antonio “El Diablo” Etcheverry.
