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Diego Armando Maradona died this Wednesday, at the age of 60, after a cardiac arrest. One of the greatest in the history of the sport and the greatest idol of Argentine soccer, the star suffered a sudden illness late in the morning, when ambulances were called to the house where he was recovering from brain surgery, in Tigres, in the metropolitan area of Buenos Aires. . The former player, however, did not resist, as his death was confirmed by the Argentine press and by the country’s public television in the early afternoon.
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Argentine President Alberto Fernández declared an official three-day duel in the country. In a publication on social networks, the head of state recalled that Maradona took Argentina “to the top of the world” and made him “immensely happy.” You were the greatest of all. Thanks for existing, Diego. We will miss you for life, ”the president wrote.
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Maradona had already worried fans at the beginning of the month, when he was rushed to the hospital, with symptoms of anemia. At that time, a small hemorrhage was discovered in the brain, and the former player had to undergo surgery to drain it. After more than a week of hospitalization, he was discharged on November 12 and would have stayed home for the period.
Maradona had undergone brain surgery a few weeks ago – Photo: Playback / Instagram
World champion with Argentina in 1986 -when he scored two historic goals in the quarterfinals against England, “Mano de Dios” and the second, dribbling half an English team-, Maradona had his career marked by genius on the field and controversy outside the. The number 10 defended the national team in 91 games, playing in four World Cups: 1982, 1986, 1990 and 1994. He faced Brazil in two of them: he was sent off in a 3-1 defeat by the second phase of the Copa de Spain-82, and in Italy-90 he contested the entire Caniggia goal in the 1-0 victory that eliminated Brazil. At the USA-94 World Cup, he experienced one of the worst moments of his career, when he was trapped in doping control in the first phase of the competition.
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In clubs, his career began with Argentinos Juniors, where he shone and won an opportunity at Boca Juniors, his team at heart. From there, he went to Barcelona and then to Napoli, where he lived a love story with the fans and made history with the conquest of two Italian titles, the only ones in the club’s history, where Maradona is the great idol until today. After passing through Sevilla and Newell’s Old Boys, Maradona ended his career at Boca in 1998 and became a regular figure in Bombonera matches.
His brilliant plays, with great speed and skill with the 10 jersey, earned him the position of greatest idol in the history of Argentine football, a source of passion on the part of fans of all clubs. Called “God” by the fans, Maradona has always caused a stir in a people passionate about sports, who insisted on pointing out him as the best player in history, in a rivalry with the Brazilian Pele.
As an athlete, he won the 1986 World Cup and the 1979 U-20 World Cup, defending the colors of the Argentine team. Maradona won two Italian championships (1986/87 and 1989/90), one in the UEFA Cup (1988/89), one in the Italian Cup (1986/87) and one in the Italian Super Cup (199) in Naples. With Barça he won a Copa del Rey (1982/83), a Spanish League Cup (1982/83) and a Spanish Super Cup (1983). In Argentine soccer, his only title was the national championship, in 1981, with Boca Juniors.
After hanging up his boots and going through various stages of treatment for cocaine addiction, Maradona ventured as a coach and had an opportunity at the helm of the Argentine team, which he led in the 2010 World Cup. Then, Pibe went through Al- Wasl and Fujairah, from the United Arab Emirates. In 2018, he directed Dorados, from Mexico, and had his last job at Gimnasia de La Plata, at the end of this year.
His last public appearance before hospitalization at the beginning of the month was precisely in a Gymnastics match, against Patronato, in the team’s debut in the Argentine Super League, on October 30. On that occasion, Maradona was celebrating his 60th birthday and was honored before the ball rolled: he showed difficulty walking and left the stadium after the first half. Three days later, he was hospitalized to treat anemia and dehydration.
Maradona (with cap) in his last public appearance, on his 60th birthday – Photo: Getty Images