Diego Maradona: Thousands say goodbye to Argentina’s duel

Thousands of fans pay their last respects to Argentine soccer legend Diego Maradona at the presidential palace in Buenos Aires.

In Argentina, three days of national mourning have begun after Maradona, a national hero, died after a heart attack on Wednesday at the age of 60.

Some cried, others blew kisses and prayed as they passed in front of the coffin on display in the Casa Rosada.

One million people are expected to visit his coffin.

Authorities were quick to install cordons and other measures to try to limit the spread of the coronavirus, as large crowds gathered in the capital’s Plaza de Mayo on Wednesday night.

Until late at night, a sea of ​​people in Argentine shirts filled the streets across the country to mourn the death of Maradona and celebrate his life.

Maradona, one of the greatest footballers of all time who played for clubs like Barcelona and Napoli, was captain when Argentina won the 1986 World Cup, scoring the famous “Mano de Dios” goal against England in the quarterfinals. .

Former Tottenham midfielder Ossie Ardiles, who played alongside Maradona at the 1982 World Cup, said he was “a god” in Argentina, in Naples and around the world.

The former Argentine attacking and technical midfielder died at his home in Tigre, near Buenos Aires.

Local media said that preliminary results of an autopsy showed Maradona had suffered “acute heart failure.”

He had a successful surgery on a cerebral blood clot in early November and was due to be treated for alcohol dependence.

The last person to see Maradona alive was his nephew Johnny Esposito, according to statements collected by officials.

Maradona’s death has caused a wave of pain in Argentina and around the world.

At 22:00 on Wednesday (01:00 GMT), a time chosen to coincide with his jersey number, Argentina’s stadiums turned on their spotlights to honor his memory.

Fans flocked to La Bombonera, the Boca Juniors stadium in Buenos Aires, where many cried.

Thousands of miles away in Italy, fans also gathered in front of Napoli’s San Paolo stadium, which was lit up in tribute to the man who scored 81 goals in 188 appearances for the club.

Fireworks exploded in the sky as those below, dressed in Maradona T-shirts and even Maradona face masks, chanted and cried.

There was a minute of silence before the Champions League matches on Wednesday and the same will happen before all other European matches this week.

Maradona was not just a sportsman for the Argentines, he was an icon, a political player and of course, a lovable rogue. There is deep sadness when people pay their respects to their superstar footballer.

But his influence goes beyond Argentina: South Americans are proud of their soccer heritage, which is why this news has resonated throughout the region.

In neighboring Brazil, where her man Pelé vied for the title of best footballer in the world, Maradona’s death made front page news: much of the rivalry between the two countries can be attributed to the two players, such is the passion. for the beautiful game here.

But the rivalry was put aside and Pelé paid tribute to Maradona as a dear friend. “Someday, I hope, we will have fun together in heaven,” he said.

His former teammate in Argentina, Ardiles, said today’s soccer superstars “couldn’t even dream” of being as admired as Maradona.

“He will be remembered as a football genius,” he told the BBC. “You can see the extraordinary interest it generates.”

When the news of Maradona’s death was known, the Argentine and Barcelona forward Lionel Messi led the tributes, writing on social networks: “He has left us but he will never leave us because Diego is eternal.

Former England striker and Game of the Day host Gary Lineker, who was part of the England team defeated by Argentina in the 1986 World Cup, said Maradona was “by far the best player of my generation and possibly the greatest of all time. ” .

In a statement on social networks, the Argentine Football Association expressed “its deepest sorrow for the death of our legend,” adding: “You will always be in our hearts.”