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Zlatan Ibrahimovic has insisted that Diego Maradona’s well-documented confusion off the field should not detract from his timeless legacy.
Maradona died on Wednesday at the age of 60 at his home in Buenos Aires, after suffering a heart attack. The all-time great player, considered the greatest footballer in history, had undergone brain surgery for a blood clot earlier this month.
His tragic passing was greeted with a rush of emotion and moving tributes from around the world, and Ibrahimovic believes that Maradona’s heroic deeds during his esteemed career are the only thing that really matters.
He told Sky Sports: ‘I’m really sorry, because for me Maradona is more than football. It has become a religion for many and I was lucky enough to meet and speak with him.
“It is a symbol of what he has done on the field. I always judge him by what he did on the field, what he did outside, in my opinion, is his problem and not ours.
We must remember him for what he did as a footballer and in my opinion, he will be remembered forever. When you see the number 10, who do you think of? Maradona.
‘It’s a symbol, even today there are those who choose that number for him.’
Maradona memorably led Argentina to World Cup glory in 1986 and eliminated England in the quarterfinals with a double that will forever go down in history.
He struck first with the infamous ‘Hand of God’ and dazzled with a second, which was later voted ‘Goal of the Century’.
The soccer legend was rightly praised for his impressive skill, but he had also been plagued with personal demons. Since then, his struggles with alcohol and drug abuse have been well documented.
AC Milan striker Ibrahimovic believes, however, that Maradona’s unbridled passion helped establish him as one of the greatest players in the history of the sport.
“As a person, he did everything with his heart, there were no other motives or thoughts,” he added.
‘I don’t know if that’s the right thing to do, but that’s why everyone loved him.
He was always himself. In today’s football everyone tries to be perfect, but to grow and learn you have to make mistakes.
“Maradona always did everything with his heart and will always remain number 1.”
Source: m.allfootballapp.com
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