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Millions of fans paid tribute and Argentina went into mourning on Wednesday when Diego Maradona, one of the greatest footballers of all time, died at age 60 after years of drug and alcohol problems.
Thousands of mourners, many crying and many wearing the World Cup winner’s number 10 Argentina jersey, gathered in the streets and stadiums around Buenos Aires to spontaneously celebrate the unbridled life of the player and coach.
The scandalously skilled Maradona, forever remembered for his “Hand of God” goal against England in the 1986 World Cup quarterfinals, died of a heart attack while recovering from surgery to remove a blood clot in his brain. said a member of his entourage. AFP.
Relatives were summoned to Maradona’s home north of Buenos Aires before his death was announced, triggering a torrent of grief across the country and around the world.
Argentina’s President Alberto Fernández announced three days of national mourning and the players bowed their heads in a minute of silence before Wednesday’s Champions League matches in Europe.
Lionel Messi, Argentina’s superstar today, led the tributes when he said: “He has left us but he will never leave us because Diego is eternal.”
Brazilian legend Pelé, 80, constantly compared to Maradona in the debate about the best soccer player, called him a “dear friend” and said he hoped that one day they would “play together in heaven.”
Prosecutor John Broyard said Maradona’s death has “only natural features.” His body will lie in state in the presidential palace during the national duel.
Despite the significant coronavirus problems in Argentina, with more than 1.3 million cases and a death toll that exceeds 37,000, fans gathered in emblematic places such as the monument to the Obelisk of Buenos Aires and the Diego Armando stadium. Maradona from Argentinos Juniors, where he began his career.
Maradona, born in Lanús, south of Buenos Aires, on October 30, 1960, also played for Boca Juniors, Barcelona and Napoli in a career of divine talent marked by wild ups and downs.
Probably in his most famous moment, he jumped up and used his fist to beat England’s Peter Shilton in the 1986 World Cup quarterfinals, memorably describing the goal as “a little with Maradona’s head and a little with his hand. of God”. .
Minutes later, he passed through six English defenders from the midline to score an unforgettable second solo that was later honored as FIFA’s “Goal of the Century.”
The two contrasting goals perfectly encapsulated the blend of brilliant skill and often flamboyant demeanor that ran through Maradona’s life.
Maradona’s highs were crowned by his performances in that World Cup, when he captured Argentina to glory.
After sacking England, he scored two goals in the semi-final against Belgium, beating four defenders for his second and set up the winning goal in the 86th minute in the final against West Germany.
It was to demonstrate the highlights of Maradona, who inspired Argentina to the 1990 final only for West Germany to get their revenge. In 1994, after an infamous and dazzling goal celebration against Greece, he failed a drug test and was sent home in disgrace.
Gary Lineker, who was on the defeated England team in 1986, called Maradona “arguably the greatest of all time,” adding: “After a blessed but troubled life, I hope he finally finds some comfort in God’s hands. #RipDiego “.
The excesses with drugs and alcohol had taken a toll on Maradona’s health. He was admitted to the hospital three times in the last 20 years for serious health problems due to his addictions.
Maradona grew up in poverty in Buenos Aires but his extraordinary talent was clear from a very young age in Argentinos Juniors and Boca.
He moved to Barcelona but was singled out by rival defenders for rough treatment and he soon fell in love with the Spanish club.
It was in Naples that Maradona would dazzle an entire city by leading then-old-fashioned Napoli to their only two Italian league titles in 1987 and 1990, befriending a Mafia family along the way.
“Always in our hearts. Ciao Diego,” Napoli tweeted, while the club president and the mayor of Naples called for the Stadio San Paolo to be renamed Maradona.
In recent years, Maradona, reduced to a limp from the ravages of his career and lifestyle, had trained in the United Arab Emirates, Mexico and Argentina without ever reaching the heights of his playing days.
Maradona married his longtime girlfriend, Claudia Villafane, in 1984. They had two daughters, Dalma and Gianinna, but the relationship was marked by Maradona’s extramarital affairs and they divorced in 2004.
He also had a son, Diego Junior, born in Naples in 1986, although he only recognized paternity in 2004.
In 2000, FIFA conducted an online survey on the Player of the Century. Maradona obtained 54 percent of the votes and Pelé was second with 18 percent. FIFA declared them joint winners.
