At 60: soccer legend Diego Maradona dies of a heart attack

Argentine soccer idol Diego Maradona dies. The 1986 world champion died of a heart attack on Wednesday less than four weeks after his 60th birthday. This was confirmed by his spokesman Sebastián Sanchi from AFP.

Maradona had been operated on on November 3 in a private clinic in Buenos Aires for a blood clot in the brain. The day before, Maradona had been admitted to a hospital in La Plata because he felt bad and because he had been taking antidepressants for a longer period. A scan found the clot. Later, Maradona was transferred to the special clinic in the capital.

He was allowed to leave the hospital eight days later. His personal physician, Leopoldo Luque, described the evolution of his condition at this time as “satisfactory”.

Maradona had turned 60 on October 30. His medical history was long: he suffered at least two heart attacks, contracted hepatitis and underwent gastric bypass surgery for being overweight. In addition, Maradona has received treatment on several occasions for his drug addiction.

A world race of the little man

Maradona began his world career with Argentines Junios and Boca Juniors in his home country of Argentina, before playing for Barcelona from 1982 to 1984.

He became a legend in 1986 when he was proclaimed world champion with Argentina. A legendary goal in the match against England at hand. Later it was said that “the hand of God” was involved:

The goal of the century in the match against England, which Argentina won 2-1 in 1986, is worth watching. Maradona starts a solo in the middle of the field and hits:

In 1990, Maradona led his team to the World Cup final again, but lost to Germany.

Maradona spent his most colorful time at SSC Napoli (1984 to 1991), where he is still revered as a saint today. With Naples he was twice champion of Italy.

Maradona ended his career with Sevilla FC (1992-1993), Newells’s Old Boys (1993) and again with Boca Juniors (1995-1997).

Maradona was also used as a national coach as a savior. At the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, Argentina was unsuccessful and Maradona would soon leave his post.

More recently, Maradona was the coach of the Gimnasia y Esgrima La Plata club.

“Maradona-Stadion»

The city of Naples wants to change the name of the San Paolo stadium into “Maradona Stadium”. This was declared by the mayor of Naples, Luigi de Magistris, who also declared a day of mourning for the death of the Argentine soccer legend. In various districts of Naples, the blue flags of the SSC Naples could be seen on Wednesday night as a sign of mourning for the death of Maradona. Some fans showed up in the street wearing the number 10 jersey Maradona wore during his time at SSC Napoli.

Corrado Ferlaino, owner of the SSC Napoli club and Maradona’s employer in the late 1980s, described Maradona as a “genius. “You can’t ask geniuses to live like normal people,” Ferlaino said.

Maradona receives state funeral

Argentina became a country in shock on Wednesday. The government of Buenos Aires declared a three-day state duel. According to media reports, Maradona will receive a state funeral.

César Luis Menotti, the 1978 world champion coach of Argentina, spoke with his compatriots from the heart: “It’s terrible. I’m devastated, I can’t believe it. “

This is what happened to almost everyone on Wednesday.