Sports
The Curse of the AC Milan Captaincy: A Legacy of Decline
Since Paolo Maldini retired in 2009, AC Milan has seen a troubling pattern emerge; captains who inherit the armband often experience a decline in form, struggle with injuries, or face unceremonious departures. This recurring misfortune has led fans to speculate that there may be a “curse” on the Milan captaincy. Below, we examine each captain’s fate since Maldini’s departure.
1. Massimo Ambrosini (2009–2013) – Injuries and Unceremonious Exit
A loyal servant of Milan, Ambrosini took over the captaincy following Maldini’s retirement. However, his tenure was marred by frequent injuries and a gradual decline in influence. By 2013, Milan opted not to renew his contract, effectively pushing him out of the club. He played one final season with Fiorentina before retiring.
2. Riccardo Montolivo (2013–2017) – Plagued by Injuries
Montolivo was expected to lead Milan into a new era, but his captaincy was riddled with misfortune. A severe ACL injury in 2016 kept him sidelined for months, and he never regained his previous form. By the time his contract expired in 2019, he had been completely frozen out of the squad, and he retired soon after.
3. Leonardo Bonucci (2017–2018) – A Short-Lived and Controversial Spell
Bonucci’s arrival from Juventus in 2017 was meant to symbolize Milan’s resurgence, and he was given the armband immediately. However, his performances dipped, and he struggled to integrate into the team. After just one disappointing season, he pushed for a return to Juventus, leaving Milan in what felt like an embarrassing failed experiment.
4. Alessio Romagnoli (2018–2022) – Benched and Forgotten
A promising young defender, Romagnoli initially looked like a worthy captain. However, injuries and inconsistent performances saw him lose his place to the emerging duo of Fikayo Tomori and Pierre Kalulu. By 2022, he was no longer a regular starter, and Milan allowed him to leave on a free transfer to Lazio.
5. Davide Calabria (2022–January 2025) – Stripped of Captaincy
Calabria, a homegrown talent, wore the armband with pride, but his tenure was turbulent. He struggled to maintain consistent performances, and following internal conflicts, Milan decided to strip him of the captaincy in January 2025. Just a month later, he left the club, ending an 18-year association with Milan in a rather bitter manner.
6. Theo Hernández (Occasional Captain) – A Symbolic Leader with Inconsistencies
Hernández has occasionally worn the captain’s armband, and while he remains a fan favorite, his tenure has had its share of struggles. On his 27th birthday in October 2024, he endured a nightmare match; conceding a penalty, missing a penalty, and receiving a red card, all in one game. While he remains a crucial player, moments like these raise questions about the Milan captaincy’s influence.
7. Mike Maignan (January 2025–Present) – Struggling Under Pressure
Following Calabria’s exit, Maignan was appointed captain in January 2025. However, since taking on the role, his performances have taken a hit. Milan has conceded in nearly every match, including a devastating 2-1 loss to Torino and a 1-1 draw against Feyenoord that saw them eliminated from the Champions League. Once considered one of the world’s best goalkeepers, Maignan now faces growing scrutiny.
The Curse of the Milan Captaincy – Coincidence or Reality?
The pattern is undeniable; since Maldini, nearly every Milan captain has seen their career take a downturn. Injuries, loss of form, and abrupt exits have plagued those who wear the armband. Whether a genuine curse or just a run of bad luck, the question remains: will Maignan break the cycle, or will the curse claim yet another victim?
Sports
Cyclist killed at Worlds not found for 82 minutes
An investigation into the death of Swiss cyclist Muriel Furrer has found she was not discovered for 82 minutes after crashing during the 2024 UCI Road World Championships in Zurich.
The 18-year-old died after leaving the road in wet conditions during the junior road race and crashing into a wooded area near her hometown. According to the Zurich Public Prosecutors’ Office, the accident occurred out of sight of race officials, spectators, and support vehicles.
Investigators said Furrer lay hidden in undergrowth and was not visible from the road, which contributed to the delay in locating her. Her disappearance was not immediately reported, and she was only found more than an hour later before being airlifted to hospital, where she died from a head injury.
Despite the circumstances, prosecutors concluded there was “no evidence of criminal conduct or negligence” by organisers. The race had been overseen by a local committee alongside the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI).
At the time of the incident, neither GPS tracking nor race radios were permitted in the World Championships—unlike in events such as the Tour de France—a factor that may have delayed the response. Following the tragedy, the UCI introduced GPS tracking for the 2025 championships in Rwanda to monitor riders’ locations in real time.
Cyclists’ union representatives have argued that such safety measures should have been implemented earlier to prevent similar incidents.
The findings come shortly after another serious crash involving British rider Tom Pidcock at the Volta a Catalunya, where he fell into a ravine unnoticed by organisers but was able to communicate with his team via radio.
In tribute, the UCI retired Furrer’s race number—84—from women’s junior road races, honouring her memory as calls continue for improved safety protocols in the sport.
Sports
Ghana sack manager Addo Just 72 days before World Cup
Ghana Football Association has dismissed head coach Otto Addo with just 72 days remaining before the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Addo’s departure follows a poor run of results, including a 2-1 defeat to Germany in Stuttgart and a heavy 5-1 loss against Austria in Vienna. The Ghana national football team have now lost their last four matches.
Despite boasting attacking talent such as Antoine Semenyo and Mohammed Kudus, Ghana also failed to qualify for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations under Addo’s leadership.
In a statement, the Ghana Football Association confirmed it had “parted ways” with Addo with immediate effect, adding that a new technical direction for the team would be announced soon.
Addo, 50, was born in Germany and spent his entire playing career there, earning 15 caps for Ghana. He had been in his second spell as head coach since March 2024.
The upcoming World Cup—set to be hosted across United States, Canada, and Mexico—will run from 11 June to 19 July.
Ghana’s campaign is scheduled to begin against Panama on 18 June, followed by group matches against England and Croatia.
Sports
Scott Brown Leaves Ayr United Role by Mutual Consent
Scott Brown has stepped down as manager of Ayr United by mutual consent, the Scottish Championship side has confirmed.
The 40-year-old departs Somerset Park alongside assistant Steven Whittaker following a difficult run of nine matches without a win.
Ayr’s form has seen them drop to sixth place in the Scottish Championship after a 3-0 defeat to Raith Rovers, a result that allowed their opponents to overtake them in the standings. The team now sits outside the promotion play-off positions, trailing Dunfermline Athletic by five points, with their rivals also holding a game in hand.
Brown, a former Celtic and Scotland national team midfielder, took charge of Ayr in January 2024. He initially guided the club away from relegation danger before achieving a third-place finish in his first full season. However, recent results have reversed that progress.
Before joining Ayr, Brown began his coaching career at Aberdeen as a player-coach and later managed Fleetwood Town. He was dismissed from Fleetwood in September 2023 after a poor run of results in his second season.
In the interim, training duties at Ayr United have been overseen by veteran winger Jamie Murphy, along with first-team coach Tommy Tait and goalkeeping coach Dave Timmins, as the club prepares to announce a temporary managerial arrangement.
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