Mexico Soccer Coach Aguirre Hit in Head by Object Thrown from Stands in Honduras

 Mexico's coach Javier Aguirre signs his national anthem prior to a CONCACAF Nations League quarterfinals first leg soccer match against Honduras, at Francisco Morazan stadium in San Pedro Sula, Honduras, Friday, Nov. 15, 2024. (AP)
Mexico's coach Javier Aguirre signs his national anthem prior to a CONCACAF Nations League quarterfinals first leg soccer match against Honduras, at Francisco Morazan stadium in San Pedro Sula, Honduras, Friday, Nov. 15, 2024. (AP)
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Mexico Soccer Coach Aguirre Hit in Head by Object Thrown from Stands in Honduras

 Mexico's coach Javier Aguirre signs his national anthem prior to a CONCACAF Nations League quarterfinals first leg soccer match against Honduras, at Francisco Morazan stadium in San Pedro Sula, Honduras, Friday, Nov. 15, 2024. (AP)
Mexico's coach Javier Aguirre signs his national anthem prior to a CONCACAF Nations League quarterfinals first leg soccer match against Honduras, at Francisco Morazan stadium in San Pedro Sula, Honduras, Friday, Nov. 15, 2024. (AP)

Mexican national team coach Javier Aguirre sustained a head injury after being hit by an object at the end of a Nations League quarterfinal match against Honduras on Friday.

At the end of the game that Mexico lost 2-0 in San Pedro Sula, Honduras, Aguirre walked up to greet Colombian coach Reinaldo Rueda when he was struck by an object, apparently a beer can that cut him and caused his head to bleed.

“Nothing it is just soccer, the game was hard fought, and they played better,” Aguirre said at a media conference at the end of the match. “Regarding the other (the incident), there’s no need to mention it, I’m not one who complains, it is just soccer, nothing happened.”

The 65-year-old Aguirre is in this third stint at the helm of the Mexican national team. He took over last August, replacing Jaime Lozano, who was fired after a first-round elimination in Copa America.

“I’m sad for what happened at the end of the match, because he is a human being,” said Rueda. “I want to apologize to the Mexican people and to Aguirre, this cannot happen."

Mexico will host Honduras next Tuesday in the second leg of their quarterfinal series.



Federer Pens Tribute to Retiring Nadal

Tennis - Laver Cup - Media Day - 02 Arena, London, Britain - September 22, 2022 Team Europe's Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal during a press conference Action Images via Reuters/Andrew Boyers/File Photo
Tennis - Laver Cup - Media Day - 02 Arena, London, Britain - September 22, 2022 Team Europe's Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal during a press conference Action Images via Reuters/Andrew Boyers/File Photo
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Federer Pens Tribute to Retiring Nadal

Tennis - Laver Cup - Media Day - 02 Arena, London, Britain - September 22, 2022 Team Europe's Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal during a press conference Action Images via Reuters/Andrew Boyers/File Photo
Tennis - Laver Cup - Media Day - 02 Arena, London, Britain - September 22, 2022 Team Europe's Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal during a press conference Action Images via Reuters/Andrew Boyers/File Photo

Roger Federer paid tribute to his retiring rival Rafa Nadal on Tuesday, telling the Spaniard he challenged him like no other player and that he had made the tennis world proud during a glittering career lasting over two decades.

Nadal is part of the Spain side that will begin their Davis Cup campaign against the Netherlands later on Tuesday, with the injury-plagued 22-times Grand Slam champion set to call time on his career after the team competition in Malaga.

Federer, who was part of the "Big Three" of men's tennis alongside Nadal and Novak Djokovic, posted a letter on X looking back at his rivalry with the 38-year-old.

"Let's start with the obvious: you beat me - a lot. More than I managed to beat you. You challenged me in ways no one else could," Federer said of Nadal, who edged their rivalry 24-16.

"On clay, it felt like I was stepping into your backyard, and you made me work harder than I ever thought I could just to hold my ground.

"You made me re-imagine my game - even going so far as to change the size of my racket head, hoping for any edge."

Federer, who won 20 Grand Slam titles before retiring in 2022, also poked fun at Nadal's courtside quirks.

"I'm not a very superstitious person, but you took it to the next level," Federer added.

"All those rituals. Assembling your water bottles like toy soldiers in formation, fixing your hair, adjusting your underwear ... all of it with the highest intensity.

"Secretly, I kind of loved the whole thing. Because it was so unique - it was so you. And you know what, Rafa, you made me enjoy the game even more."

Nadal was by Federer's side in the Swiss great's final event when they played doubles for Team Europe at the Laver Cup in 2022, with images of the pair crying together going viral on social media.

"It meant everything to me that you were there by my side - not as my rival but as my doubles partner," Federer added.

"Sharing the court with you that night, and sharing those tears, will forever be one of the most special moments of my career."