Large crowds said goodbye Thursday to Argentina’s favorite son Diego Maradona before being buried outside the capital after a farewell that sometimes turned into chaos. As night fell, the soccer legend was buried after a ceremony attended by family and close friends in the lush surroundings of the Bella Vista Cemetery on the outskirts of Buenos Aires. One of the greatest footballers of all time, the World Cup winner died on Wednesday at the age of 60, sparking the duel around the world.
“I thought Diego was immortal, I thought he would never die on us. I feel terrible sadness for a person who made us so, so happy,” said Antonio Ávila, a 63-year-old bus driver, outside the cemetery.
The peaceful farewell at the cemetery contrasts sharply with the sometimes raucous scenes of his farewell in Buenos Aires that seemed somewhat in keeping with the player’s tumultuous life.
There, riot police fired tear gas and rubber bullets in clashes with stone-throwing fans who briefly threatened to spoil a day of mourning for a beloved hero.
Thousands say goodbye
Tens of thousands of people had queued since early morning to pass the star’s coffin, wrapped in the Argentine flag and the player’s number 10 jersey, at the presidential palace.
But as the day progressed, fans queuing outside the palace grew increasingly impatient and some took to an inner courtyard, where they chanted slogans, forcing officials to move Maradona’s coffin to another room as a security measure.
Despite an earlier announcement that spread the lie in the state for several hours, officials closed the doors and riot police confronted fans who threw stones in the streets around the palace, arresting several people.
Later, the hearse with the coffin covered with Maradona’s flag passed through the doors of the presidential building and out onto the streets of Buenos Aires.
Fans clustered along roadsides and highway bridges as the funeral procession made its way to the western outskirts, surrounded by police officers blasting sirens.
Dozens of photographers and videographers followed them closely on motorcycles.
Outrageous skill
The scandalously skilled Maradona, remembered for his “Hand of God” goal against England in the 1986 World Cup quarterfinals, died of a heart attack while recovering from brain surgery.
“He was the best in the world, we are going to miss him and his death broke our souls,” said Diego Armando Cabral, a 29-year-old bricklayer in Buenos Aires who bears the footballer’s name.
Tributes came from around the world after the star’s death.
His career and life were sometimes tainted by a vague interpretation of the rules of the game and a crippling addiction to cocaine and alcohol.
Lionel Messi, the Argentine superstar of 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 over the best soccer player, said he hopes one day “they will play together in heaven.”
‘God’s hand’
Maradona, born into poverty in Lanús, south of Buenos Aires, on October 30, 1960, also played for the Argentine clubs Argentinos Juniors and Boca Juniors, as well as for the Spanish giants Barcelona before becoming a hero in the city. of the working class of southern Italy. Naples.
In his most infamous match, he jumped up and used his fist to score against England goalkeeper Peter Shilton in the 1986 World Cup quarter-finals in Mexico City, without the referee seeing him. Maradona memorably called the goal “a little with the head of Maradona and a little with the hand of God.”
However, just minutes after that goal, the diminutive Maradona pushed his way between six English defenders from the midline to score an unforgettable solo second that has been honored as FIFA’s “Goal of the Century”.
The two contrasting goals perfectly encapsulated the mix of brilliant skill and often flamboyant demeanor that ran through Maradona’s life.
His career was crowned by his performances in that World Cup, when he captured Argentina to glory.
Maradona also inspired Argentina in the 1990 final, only for West Germany to get their revenge. At the 1994 World Cup, he failed a doping test and was sent home from the United States in disgrace.
Maradona’s lifestyle greatly affected his health. He was hospitalized three times in the last 20 years for serious health problems.
‘Ciao Diego’
His extraordinary talent was evident from a young age, and after starring for Boca Juniors, he was transferred to Barcelona. After a turbulent time in Spain, a world record transfer to Napoli came to define his career at the club.
Maradona charmed an entire city by leading then-old-fashioned Napoli to their only two Italian league titles in 1987 and 1990, befriending a mob family along the way.
In Naples, heartbroken fans gathered at the Stadio San Paolo stadium to lay out candles, scarves and shirts, creating a makeshift shrine for their hero.
“He was our Sunday warrior,” said Fernando Carfora, 46. “Maradona didn’t play with his feet, he played with his head. No one scored Maradona’s goals.”
Maradona’s playing career went into rapid decline after leaving Napoli under a cloud in 1991 following another failed drug test.
As a coach, he led Argentina to the 2010 World Cup before going through clubs in the United Arab Emirates, Mexico and his home country again, the last in Gimnasia y Esgrima La Plata, but was never able to reach the heights of his game. . days.
Promoted
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.
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