Leeds boss Jesse Marsch has paid an emotional tribute to his ‘friend’ and ‘ally’ Grant Wahl following the popular American sportswriter’s death at the World Cup in Qatar.
Wahl, 48, went into ‘acute distress’ during extra-time of the Holland-Argentina quarter-final match, and fell back in his seat before being treated by medics.
In the hours since his death was confirmed by US Soccer, tributes have been pouring in for the journalist, who worked for Sports Illustrated, CBS Sports, NBC News and, latterly, his own Substack page.
American journalist Grant Wahl died Friday while covering the 2022 World Cup in Qatar
Leeds boss Jesse Marsch posted an emotional tribute to Wahl on his Twitter account
Wahl and wife Dr. Celine Gounder in a photo from his Instagram dated 2020. The couple lived in New York City with their two dogs
Among the most heartfelt messages was that of Leeds manager – and fellow American – Marsch. Posting on Twitter, he wrote: ‘I am absolutely devastated at the news of Grant Wahl’s passing. He was an incredible person and friend.
‘As a journalist, he was all about integrity and fairness. For me, soccer in America would not be where it is today without the investment that Grant made in reporting, educating, and telling the vital stories of our sport.
‘As a friend, I will dearly miss having an ally and friendly smiling face in the press box on match days. We had a very special relationship and always supported each other entirely.
‘Lastly, my deepest sympathies to Celine and their family. Thank you brother!!! I will cherish you forever. Rest in peace.’
The United States men’s captain – and Leeds star – Tyler Adams also posted on his social media account with a heartfelt message about Wahl.
In it, he wrote: ‘On behalf of myself and the USMNT, we offer our deepest sympathy to Celine Gounder and all those who mourn the loss of Grant Wahl.
‘As players we have a tremendous amount of respect for the work of journalists, and Grant’s was a giant voice in soccer that has tragically fallen silent.’
USMNT captain Tyler Adams also posted on his Twitter account following Wahl’s death
Fellow American Marsch called Wahl a ‘friend’ and an ‘ally’ following his death in Qatar
Wahl had spoken about feeling under the weather in an episode of his podcast – Futbol with Grant Wahl – recorded Thursday.
He said: ‘My body finally broke down on me. Three weeks of little sleep, high stress and lots of work can do that to you. What had been a cold over the last 10 days turned into something more severe on the night of the USA-Netherlands game, and I could feel my upper chest take on a new level of pressure and discomfort.’
Wahl wrote that he tested negative for COVID-19 and sought treatment for his symptoms.
‘I went into the medical clinic at the main media center today, and they said I probably have bronchitis. They gave me a course of antibiotics and some heavy-duty cough syrup, and I’m already feeling a bit better just a few hours later. But still: No bueno,’ he wrote.
A 1996 graduate of Princeton, Wahl worked for Sports Illustrated from 1996 to 2021, known primarily for his coverage of soccer and college basketball. He wrote a profile of Lebron James when the NBA superstar was in high school that is credited with introducing the world to the then 17-year-old player from Ohio.
Wahl, who covered American and world soccer on his Substack, CBS Sports, NBC News and previously worked for Sports Illustrated, was ‘healthy’ before he collapsed during the game
Wahl’s wife, former Biden White House COVID advisor Dr. Celine Gounder, tweeted Friday night: ‘I am so thankful for the support of my husband @GrantWahl’s soccer family & of so many friends who’ve reached out tonight. I’m in complete shock.’
James would be drafted with the first pick of the NBA Draft about a year after appearing in the piece.
‘Even when I moved up in the ranks and became a professional and he kind of went to a different sport and things of that nature of the years, anytime his name would come up I would always think back to me as a teenager and having Grant in our building down at St. V. So it’s a tragic loss,’ James said, speaking Friday.
‘It’s unfortunate to lose someone as great as he was.’
Wahl went on to cover professional soccer and has been lauded for his tireless work to elevate the sport in the United States.
He eventually launched his own website, and also worked for Fox Sports for seven years, from 2012-19.