Football mourns Diego
FOOTBALL legend Diego Maradona, one of the greatest players of all time, has died at the age of 60.
The former Argentina attacking midfielder and manager suffered a heart attack at his Buenos Aires home.
He had successful surgery on a brain blood clot earlier this month and was to be treated for alcohol dependency.
Maradona was captain when Argentina won the 1986 World Cup, scoring the famous ‘Hand of God’ goal against England in the quarterfinals.
Argentina and Barcelona forward Lionel Messi paid tribute to Maradona, saying he was “eternal”.
“A very sad day for all Argentines and football,” Messi said. “He leaves us but does not leave, because Diego is eternal.”
The Argentine Football Association expressed “its deepest sorrow for the death of our legend”, adding: “You will always be in our hearts.”
Declaring three days of national mourning, Alberto Fernandez, the president of Argentina, said: “You took us to the top of the world. You made us immensely happy. You were the greatest of them all.”
Maradona played for Barcelona and Napoli during his club career, winning two Serie A titles with the Italian side.
He scored 34 goals in 91 appearances for Argentina, representing them in four World Cups winning the tournament in Mexico in 1986 when he was their captain and
inspiration. In the 2-1 quarter-final victory over England, he got away with handling the ball for the first of his two goals – which he cheekily put down to the ‘Hand of God’. He dribbled half the length of the field to score a spectacular second dubbed the greatest ever World Cup goal.
Maradona led his country to the 1990 final in Italy, where they were beaten by West Germany, before captaining them again in the United
States St in 1994, but was sent home after af failing a drugs test for ephedrine. ri
During the second half of his ca career, Maradona struggled with co cocaine addiction and was banned fo for 15 months after testing positive fo for the drug in 1991. He retired from pl playing in 1997, aged 37.
Maradona was appointed head co coach of the national team in 2008 and left after the 2010 World Cup, where his side were beaten by Germany in the quarter-finals.
He subsequently managed teams in the United Arab Emirates and Mexico.
Brazil legend Pele led tributes on Twitter: “What sad news. I 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.”
Former England striker and Match of the Day host Gary Lineker, who was part of the England team beaten by Argentina in 1986, said Maradona was “by some distance, the best player of my generation and arguably the greatest of all time”.