Diego Maradona, aged 60, has died. The DailyMailUK reported that the legend had suffered a heart attack at his home in Buenos Aires this afternoon (Wednesday 25 November). Maradona had undergone emergency surgery to treat a subdural haematoma earlier this month.
Maradona’s name is synonymous with one of the greatest soccer players who ever lived. Both loved and scorned for the controversial goal he scored in the 1986 FIFA World Cup. The goal later dubbed as the ‘Hand of God’ as he had confessed to scoring the goal “a little with his head, and a little with the hand of God”.
The goal was the first of the only two goals scored in the final, both by Maradona, which led Argentina to victory. The second goal ironically believed by many to be the greatest goal ever scored.
Pele leads the wave of tributes as they continue to stream in from all over the world since the official statement of his death.
Pele pays tribute to the late Diego Maradona.
"What sad news. I have lost a great friend and the world has lost a legend. There is still much to be said, but for now, may God give strength to his family.
"One day, I hope we can play ball together in the sky." https://t.co/1vrE2xyhtp
— Goal (@goal) November 25, 2020
Maradona ended his career in 1997. His professional career included 679 games boasting 346 club and international goals. In 2010, he managed the Argentinian team who played in the Soccer World Cup in South Africa.
Argentina’s former manager Cesar Luis Menotti said: “I’m devastated. I can’t believe it. I’m absolutely gutted. There’s no more I can say at this moment.”
Sports24 reported that the Argentinian President, Alberto Fernandez on hearing of the death of Maradona, immediately declared three days of mourning in the South American country.
