Across globe, game-day tributes to Maradona
Across the globe, teams paid tribute to Diego Maradona on Saturday with moments of silence before European soccer games and a touching gesture from New Zealand’s rugby team.
The death of the Argentine great was still being felt three days after he had a heart attack at the age of 60 outside Buenos Aires, where he had been recovering from a brain operation.
Manchester City and Burnley players and coaches stood and applauded as a video showed Maradona’s famous solo run and goal for Argentina against England in the quarterfinals of the 1986 World Cup. The “Hand of God” goal was earlier in the game.
“This week, we lost a true footballing great,” City manager Pep Guardiola said in the team’s matchday program.
“Diego Maradona was everything football should be: expressive, exciting, attacking and free.
“A unique, once-in-a-generation player who brought joy to so many people. Football will never forget Diego.”
City and Burnley players warmed up to the song “Live is Life” by Austrian band Opus. That’s the tune Maradona warmed up to before one of Napoli’s UEFA matches in 1989. The players went through their usual routine as the Etihad Stadium loudspeakers played the song.
Everton manager Carlo Ancelotti struggled to hold his emotions together. He made the sign of the cross and kissed his finger after a tribute before their match against Leeds. Ancelotti played against Maradona during their time in Serie A and later went on to manage Napoli.
Maradona led Napoli to its only two Serie A titles in 1987 and 1990 and is considered an icon in the southern city.