Football legend and Argentina hero Diego Maradona died of a heart attack on Wednesday at the age of 60.
The icon, regarded as one of the greatest players in the history of football, died of heart attack at his home in the outskirts of Buenos Aires.
Diego Maradona had been suffering from health issues in the recent past as he underwent a successful surgery for possible bleeding on his brain recently in November after being admitted to a local hospital in Buenos Aires with signs of depression.
He became a household name after inspiring his country to World Cup glory in 1986 but his glittering career was marked by numerous controversies and his notorious lifestyle led to alcoholism and addiction.
Maradona, fifth of 8 children grew up in a poor, gritty barrio on the Buenos Aires outskirts where he played skilful football that launched many Argentines to international stardom. In 2001, FIFA named Maradona one of the two greatest in the sport’s history, alongside Pele.
The legend was loved in his homeland after leading Argentina to World Cup glory in 1986 and adored in Italy for taking Napoli to two Serie A titles.
Maradona played from 1976-81 for first division club Argentinos Juniors, then went to Boca Juniors for a year before heading to Barcelona for a world-record $8 million.
In 1984, Barcelona sold him to Napoli, in Italy. He remade its fortunes almost single-handedly, leading Napoli to the 1987 Italian league championship for its first title in 60 years.
A year after losing the 1990 World Cup final to West Germany, Maradona moved to Spanish club Sevilla, but his career was on the decline. He played five matches at Argentine club Newell’s Old Boys in 1994 before returning to Boca from 1995-97 — his final club and closest to his heart.
Former clubs and players both past and present have begun to pay their respect to a world legend.
Pelé, another legend of the game, tweeted: “I have lost a great friend and the world lost a legend. There is still much to be said, but for now, may God give strength to his family members. One day, I hope, we will play football together in heaven.”
Fellow countryman Lionel Messi said it was a “very sad day.”
“He leaves us but he doesn’t go anywhere because Diego is eternal. I keep all the beautiful moments lived with him and I wanted to send my condolences and best wishes to all of his friends and family,” Messi wrote on Instagram.
Juventus star Cristiano Ronaldo wrote on twitter goodbye to an “eternal genius.” “One of the best ever. An unparalleled magician. He leaves too soon, but leaves a legacy without limits and a void that will never be filled. Rest in peace, ace. You will never be forgotten.”
FIFA president Gianni Infantino said: “What Diego has done for football, for making us fall in love with this beautiful game, is unique. Diego deserves our eternal gratitude for that.”
“Argentina’s football association, through its president Claudio Tapia, shared its deepest pain over the death of our legend, Diego Armando Maradona. You will always be in our hearts,” the Argentina football association said in a statement.
Meanwhile the Argentine government has declared three days of mourning. President Alberto Fernandez said in a tweet,
“You took us to the highest point in the world, and made us immensely happy. You were the greatest of all. Thank you for having been with us, Diego. We will miss you all our lives.”
Diego Maradona had five acknowledged children from relationships with several women. His daughter Giannina was married for four years to Argentine player Sergio Aguero, who is a striker for the English Premier League club Manchester City.
