By Arré Bench Nov. 26, 2020
Legendary footballer Diego Maradona died after suffering a cardiac arrest on Wednesday. The 60-year-old had earlier had an emergency operation for a subdural hematoma, which is an accumulation of blood between a membrane and his brain. The world of football, and beyond, went into mourning.
Legendary footballer Diego Maradona died after suffering a cardiac arrest on Wednesday. The 60-year-old had earlier had an emergency operation for a subdural hematoma, which is an accumulation of blood between a membrane and his brain.The world of football, and beyond, went into mourning.
Argentina legend Diego Maradona has died at the age of 60.
One of the greatest to play the beautiful game 🙏 pic.twitter.com/RFPC68H5NX
— ESPN UK (@ESPNUK) November 25, 2020
As news of his death circulated around the world, Argentine President Alberto Fernandez called for three days of national mourning while UEFA, soccer’s governing body in Europe, announced there would be a minute of silence before its Champions League and Europa League games this week.
Tributes for the GOAT poured from all around the world.
Pele, the Brazilian football legend, who had often engaged in a war of words with Maradona, wrote, “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 family members. One day, I hope we can play ball together in the sky.”
Que notícia triste. Eu perdi um grande amigo e o mundo perdeu uma lenda. Ainda há muito a ser dito, mas por agora, que Deus dê força para os familiares. Um dia, eu espero que possamos jogar bola juntos no céu. pic.twitter.com/6Li76HTikA
— Pelé (@Pele) November 25, 2020
Lionel Messi, Maradona’s rightful heir in Argentinian football, said “he has left but he can never leave us, because Diego is eternal.” The Barcelona superstar offered his condolences to his family and friends.
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A post shared by Leo Messi (@leomessi)
“Today I say goodbye to a friend and the world says 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,” wrote Cristiano Ronaldo.
Hoje despeço-me de um amigo e o Mundo despede-se de um génio eterno. Um dos melhores de todos os tempos. Um mágico inigualável. Parte demasiado cedo, mas deixa um legado sem limites e um vazio que jamais será preenchido. Descansa em paz, craque. Nunca serás esquecido.🙏🏽 pic.twitter.com/WTS21uxmdL
— Cristiano Ronaldo (@Cristiano) November 25, 2020
Maradona is regarded as one of the greatest footballers of all time. The pinnacle of his career was achieved when he won the World Cup with Argentina in 1986. The infamous ‘Hand of God’ goal that he scored to eliminate England is a subject of colourful discussion even three decades later. For some, it was a moment of divine intervention; for others, Maradona was a cheat.
In the 1986 World Cup quarterfinal matchup between Argentina and England, Diego Maradona scored the infamous “Hand of God” goal using his fist. Just a few minutes later, he scored what came to be known as the “Goal of the Century.” https://t.co/iS8D7xh813
— Twitter Moments (@TwitterMoments) November 25, 2020
Minutes later, Maradona scored what was later voted as “The Goal of The Century,” as he masterfully dribbled past English players as if they didn’t exist on the pitch.
Maradona scored this goal in 1986 World Cup against England which was voted “The Goal of the Century” 🥅
The God of Dribbling. RIP. #GOAT pic.twitter.com/9jE5cuVQf0
— Nigel D’Souza (@Nigel__DSouza) November 25, 2020
Maradona also donned the jersey for Boca Juniors, Barcelona, and Napoli among others, at the club level. While he won many trophies and accolades with various clubs, Diego’s cult and impact transcended far beyond the football pitch. Not only did he come to be known for his skill and genius on the pitch, but also excesses off it, whether consumptions of drugs or friendships in the underworld.
The streets of Naples to this day, feature Maradona graffiti. Shops sell souvenirs from his time at the club and everyone has a story to tell about “The People’s Champ”, from the time he played at the iconic Italian club. Napoli has announced that it would rename the San Paolo Stadium to honour Diego Maradona.
Nothing sums up Maradona better than the streets of Naples. Every working-class district has its homage to him, decades after he left Napoli. The People’s Champ. pic.twitter.com/h59tfVqZBH
— Ronan Burtenshaw (@ronanburtenshaw) November 25, 2020
Maradona was loved by all. He is one of the very few Barcelona players to get a standing ovation at the Bernabéu. Even bitter rivals couldn’t help but admire and celebrate his art.
Diego Maradona was the first Barcelona player (one of three, ever) to get a standing ovation from Real Madrid fans at the Bernabéu. Legendary. pic.twitter.com/QAzBB05Ka5
— Rawan (@rawan) November 25, 2020
For Maradona, politics was a crucial part of life. He was an admirer of Cuban leader Fidel Castro and had a tattoo of Fidel on his left leg apart from the famous Che Guevara on his right arm. He always spoke for the poor and was a vocal supporter of leftist politicians in Latin America.
Maradona showing the tattoo of Fidel Castro to … Fidel. pic.twitter.com/QC916WmgUO
— Saba Naqvi (@_sabanaqvi) November 25, 2020
The last memory most fans have of Diego Maradona is from the 2018 World Cup, where he danced with a Nigerian fan, posed with a painting of himself, enacted the Wakanda sign, showed someone the middle finger and then had to be carried away to the hospital. In a nutshell, that was Diego Armando Maradona.
Throwback to Diego Maradona dancing with a Nigerian lady before the Nigeria vs Argentina game at the 2018 World cup
This guy was a pure vibe 💔🇦🇷🇳🇬 pic.twitter.com/ir30gjeSmx
— Football Fans Tribe 🇳🇬 ⚽ (@FansTribeHQ) November 25, 2020
Diego spoke what he thought, emoted what he felt, supported what he liked and consumed what he wished. He was raw, real and lived every moment of his life. Rest in peace, Diego.
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