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BUENOS AIRES.- Argentine soccer legend Diego Maradona, considered one of the greatest players in soccer history, died of a heart attack on Wednesday (November 25), his lawyer said.
Maradona, 60, had recently battled health problems and underwent emergency surgery for a subdural hematoma several weeks ago.
He suffered a heart attack at his home on the outskirts of Buenos Aires this Wednesday, Argentine media and acquaintances of the former player said.
Argentine President Alberto Fernández declared three days of national mourning after the news of Maradona’s death.
The retired Brazilian soccer star, Pelé, mourned the death of the great Argentine.
“Certainly, one day we will kick a ball together in the sky,” he said in a short statement provided to Reuters by a representative.
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Italian soccer club Napoli said the death of its former star was a “devastating blow” for both the city and the club.
“We are in mourning,” said club spokesman Nicola Lombardo. “We feel like a boxer who has been knocked out. We are in shock.”
Maradona played for Napoli between 1984 and 1991, which helped the city win its first Serie A league title.
Argentine soccer legend Diego Armando Maradona reacts to fans during his first training session as Dorados coach at the Banorte de Culiacán stadium, in the Mexican state of Sinaloa, Mexico, September 10, 2018 (Photo: REUTERS / Henry Romero ).
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 sinking into misery when he was kicked out of the 1994 World Cup for doping.
Years of drug use, binge eating and alcoholism cut short a stellar career and altered his appearance from an agile athlete who could effortlessly slalom between teams to a bloated addict who nearly died of cocaine-induced heart failure in 2000.
