Updated: November 26, 2020 12:10:34 am
In this June 10, 1987 file photo, former Brazilian soccer player Pelé, center, holds hands with Italian captain Alessandro Altobelli, left, and Argentine captain Diego Maradona, after receiving the medal of honor from FIFA before the start of the final match between Argentina. and Italy in Zurich, Switzerland. (AP Photo)
The great world footballer Diego Maradona died on Wednesday less than a month after his 60th birthday.
Maradona died after suffering a heart attack at his home on the outskirts of Buenos Aires, sources close to him confirmed.
Rising to stardom from a grubby Buenos Aires slum to lead Argentina to World Cup victory, Maradona was a story of poverty to wealth in his soccer-mad land and gained the iconic status of Argentines Che Guevara and Avoid Perón.
Soccer legend walks away: classic Maradona moments
One of the most talented footballers in history, Maradona’s pinnacle of glory came when he captained Argentina to win the World Cup in 1986 before falling into misery when he was kicked out of the 1994 World Cup for doping.
But he reinvented himself in a surprising comeback in 2008 as coach of the Argentine national team, convincing managers that with sheer charisma he could inspire the team to victory, despite a lack of coaching experience.
Brazilian soccer star Pelé mourned the death of the great Argentine Diego Maradona on Wednesday, following confirmation that he had died of a heart attack earlier that day.
“Certainly one day we will kick a ball together in the sky,” he said in a short statement provided to Reuters by a representative.
These are some of the reactions and tributes:
What sad news. I lost a great friend in the world I lost a great lenda. Ainda has a lot to be said, but for now, than Deus de força for family members. Um day, I hope we can play ball together no céu. pic.twitter.com/6Li76HTikA
– Pelé (@Pele) November 25, 2020
Diego #Maradona, the legend has left us. He was a magician who showed us why soccer is called “The Beautiful Game.”
My condolences to his family, friends and fans.
Thanks Argentina.
– Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) November 25, 2020
RIP Diego, a true football icon. #Maradona pic.twitter.com/Lcuz01D0eA
– Theo Walcott (@theowalcott) November 25, 2020
Remember Rip Maradona dancing with a Nigerian at the World Cup #Maradona pic.twitter.com/d6VW8itHjW
– Mind monsters (@ parkthebus8989) November 25, 2020
Watching this on repeat. What a legend. RIP #Maradona pic.twitter.com/JJT96tfqrL
– Ian McCourt (@ianmccourt) November 25, 2020
My hero no more … my mad genius rest in peace … I watched football for you … pic.twitter.com/JhqFffD2vr
– Sourav Ganguly (@ SGanguly99) November 25, 2020
Really sad to know of the death of the legendary Maradona. He really lived life big and by his rules and set benchmarks on the field and off it as well. RIP my friend. You will be missed
– Yuvraj Singh (@ YUVSTRONG12) November 25, 2020
Not many in sport can say they inspired one generation … But the greatest inspire many generations … That’s exactly what #Diego Maradona made … THE GREATEST … #RIPDiego
– Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan) November 25, 2020
Great great loss! The star of our childhood who gave us so many memories to cherish and celebrate. Saddened to hear about the legend’s demise #Diego Maradona. You will live in hearts and memories. pic.twitter.com/hyHbdSKqqi
– Suresh Raina🇮🇳 (@ImRaina) November 25, 2020
Very sad news !!!! I grew up watching soccer thanks to this genius. RIP Maradona 🙏🏻 https://t.co/rof6g3mcnb
– Mahela Jayawardena (@MahelaJay) November 25, 2020
I will never forget seeing Diego Maradona when I was 8 years old at the World Cup in Mexico. He had never seen anything like it on that stage since. Sad news #Maradona
– Jamie Carragher (@ Carra23) November 25, 2020
Speechless. #Maradona pic.twitter.com/VK6ow0WUV9
– Daniel Mack (@danielmack) November 25, 2020
I loved him when he was a kid 😢
RIP #MaradonaJune 26, 2018 – Argentina vs. Nigeria – Saint Petersburg, Russia
📹@akshayk pic.twitter.com/lQ79zj1TyY
– Andom Ghebreghiorgis (@AndomForNY) November 25, 2020
Il mondo intero piange la scomparsa di #Maradona, che with his ineguagliabile talent has written pagine indimenticabili della storia del calcium. Addio eternal campione. pic.twitter.com/nhNo1ySjdp
– Giuseppe Conte (@GiuseppeConteIT) November 25, 2020
It is very sad to hear about the death of the legendary Diego Maradona. He has always been a great inspiration for all athletes. His legacy will always remain. #Maradona #Legend pic.twitter.com/t6ewLiVJP9
– Shoaib Akhtar (@ shoaib100mph) November 25, 2020
I feel that you return to the place that belongs to you, HEAVEN. You will never die for me. Rest in peace.#Thanks Diego https://t.co/CenIdC4Tbe
– Juan M. del Potro (@delpotrojuan) November 25, 2020
Today the world of sports in general and football in particular has a void. It left us #Maradona one of the greatest athletes in history. What he did in football remains. My sincere and condolences to his family, the world of football and all of Argentina 🇦🇷
– Rafa Nadal (@RafaelNadal) November 25, 2020
Soccer and the world of sports has lost one of its great players today.
Rest in Peace Diego Maradona!
We will miss you. pic.twitter.com/QxhuROZ5a5– Sachin Tendulkar (@sachin_rt) November 25, 2020
Thanks for everything Diego pic.twitter.com/bJ9l3ixY7A
– FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) November 25, 2020
“In our collective imagination Diego Maradona represents a glorious past, he is a symbol of what we could have been,” said the professor of popular culture at the University of Buenos Aires and Maradona expert Pablo Alabarces.
“He will always be forgiven,” said Maradona fan Marcelo Pose, a lawyer from Buenos Aires.
(Reuters posts)
© IE Online Media Services Pvt Ltd
.
