Adios, Maradona...

DIEGO Maradona shone with such talent on the football pitch that even his rivals can forgive him everything. He was the definition of a flawed genius. The Argentine legend will be remembered not just as a goal- scoring phenomenon but as a player who exemplified the beauty of the game.

His audacity and contradictions were most dramatically demonstrated in the 1986 World Cup match against England. Just minutes after his infamous “hand of God” goal – perhaps the most notorious handball incident in the history of the sport – he scored one of the most perfect goals.

His battles with addictions and health crises are well- documented but his nearmiracles on the pitch will thrill fans for generations to come.