Fans have gathered outside Diego Maradona's home in Buenos Aires and the Argentinos Juniors' Diego Armando Maradona stadium as the country enters three days of national mourning following his death.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino paid a personal tribute to Diego Maradona following the death of one of the sport’s most prodigious talents.
“Today is an unbelievably sad day. Our Diego left us. Our hearts – of all of us who loved him for how he was, and for what he represented – have stopped beating for a moment. Our silence, our tears, our pain is the only thing we are feeling deep inside us at this time.
“I always said it and I can just repeat it now, more convinced than ever: What Diego has done for football, for making all of us fall in love with this beautiful game, is unique. It is, as he is, simply immense... Diego deserves our eternal gratitude for that, for having amazed us with his incredible talent and yes, for having been so unique: for having been Diego Armando Maradona, a legend, a hero, and… a man”. Soccer icon Pele has paid a moving tribute to his "great friend" Diego Maradona after the Argentine Great died at the age of 60 after suffering heart failure on Wednesday.
Both men are considered two of the greatest soccer players in history and come from similarly humble backgrounds.
While Maradona -- at the age of 25 -- was key to Argentina's World Cup triumph in 1986, Pele burst onto the scene as a teenager, helping lead his native Brazil to tournament success in the 1958 event. Pele went on to star on two other World Cup title teams as well, in 1962 and 1970, in addition to a breakthrough career with the Brazilian club Santos and later with the New York Cosmos of the now-defunct North American Soccer League.
In 2000, Pele and Maradona were named co-Players of the Century by FIFA, the international soccer governing body.
The Brazilian legend was among a number of high-profile names to pay tribute to Maradona on social media after the news was confirmed.
Argentina's President Alberto Fernandez has announced three days of national mourning following Maradona's death, while UEFA president Aleksander Čeferin said a minute's silence would be observed ahead of all European matches this week.
Real Madrid – great rivals of one of Maradona’s former clubs, Barcelona – paid tribute to “one of the greatest players in all history”. “Diego Armando Maradona leaves an immense legacy, which has become a myth for millions of fans around the world,” the club said in a statement. Liverpool tweeted: “A true great of the game. Rest in peace, Diego Maradona.”
And Boca Juniors, where Maradona made his name before securing a then world-record transfer to Barcelona, tweeted: “Eternal thanks. Eternal Diego.” former England captain David Beckham has paid tribute to Maradona, hailing him as a "pure genius". “A sad day for Argentina and a sad day for football as we celebrate the greatness of what this man gave us… Someone that played with passion, spirit and was nothing less than a pure genius .. I was so excited to meet Diego and we will all miss him. Rest In Peace.”
Ronnie 'the rocket' O'Sullivan, who has enjoyed plenty of moments of brilliance and controversy himself, was quick to hail the passing of a true sporting legend. O’Sullivan said: “I would rather have a short life with tremendous highs than be beige. And Diego Maradona was one of those. “There have been billions of people on the planet but maybe only 10 in sport have broken through to that level – like Tiger Woods and Muhammad Ali. “The memory I have of Maradona is of him basically winning the World Cup for Argentina on his own. He was amazing. " While Naples continues to mourn, tributes continue to pour out from Napoli players. Dries Mertens himself has a huge affection in the city, having spent almost a decade with the club. But the Belgian international has apologised to Maradona if he was ever put on the same level as his idol.
“You were the first thing that came to my mind when I signed for Naples," he posted on social media. "Wearing the blue shirt will mean even more from now on. Napoli lost part of its soul today. You were, and will always be, an inspiration to all of us.
“If my name has ever been placed next to yours, I apologize, I will never be at your level. What you did for "our" city will go down in history forever. It was an honour to have met you. Forever my idol.”
The mayor of Naples Luigi de Magistris has proposed that Napoli's famous stadium should be renamed after their most legendary player. The Argentinian dragged Napoli to two titles and a UEFA Cup during a stunning spell in Italy. Mike Tyson said: “The Hand of God, Maradona has left us. In 86 we both won our championships. They use to compare the two of us. He was one of my hero’s and a friend. I respected him so much. He will be greatly missed.”The Man City boss took time in his post-match press conference to pay tribute to Maradona. In particular, Pep Guardiola recognised the fact that City striker Sergio Aguero has a close familial connection, whilst also recognising his influence across the world. “Firstly, support for Sergio [Aguero], Diego was his son’s grandfather," he told BT Sport.
“There was a banner in Argentina years ago that said: ‘It doesn’t matter what you have done with your life, it matters what you have done with our lives’. “There are a few incredible players in all history and he’s one of them. For people of our generation, the World Cup in 1986, in Mexico – it was something to make this sport better.
Peter Reid was part of the England side which suffered at the hands of Maradona in 1986, and trailed behind the superstar as he slalomed through England’s defence to score his breath-taking second.
“The second (goal) is a man at the height of his ability and quite simply he is one of the best players to walk the planet,” Reid told BBC Radio 5 Live.
(CNN, Mirror UK, Sky)
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