Brazilian great Pele led global tributes to Diego Maradona, whose death was announced on Wednesday, saying one day they would “play soccer together in the sky”.
Renowned along with Pele as one of the finest players ever to grace the field, the Argentine World Cup-winning captain had undergone brain surgery this month and died of a heart attack, a member of his entourage told AFP.
Renowned for inspiring Argentina to World Cup glory in 1986, Maradona was most loved at club level for his spells with Boca Juniors in his homeland and Napoli in Italy, where he won the club’s only two Serie A titles.
‘Ciao Diego’, ‘You are eternal’: Football icon Maradona dies at 60, tributes pour in
Maradona will forever be remembered for his “Hand of God” goal against England in the 1986 World Cup quarter-final in Mexico City, when he pushed the ball into the net. Minutes later he swerved through the helpless English defenders for a superb second goal.
Watch: Diego Maradona’s ‘Goal of the Century’ against England in 1986 World Cup
The football world was plunged into mourning as touching tributes poured in for the player who was often called the greatest of them all for his skill with the ball. Here’s a look
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
My 1st football hero. Few people have impact over generations like this man did. The greatest, the best, the artist, the man...charismatic, a leader...A WINNER! One of the main reasons why I went out on my estate to kick a ball, pretending to be Diego.
— Rio Ferdinand (@rioferdy5) November 25, 2020
RIP Diego Armando Maradona pic.twitter.com/67sjmdkgFT
Nunca te vamos a olvidar. Siempre estarás con nosotros. #GraciasDiego QEPD pic.twitter.com/gP24l3un3p
— Sergio Kun Aguero (@aguerosergiokun) November 25, 2020
The man has left us. His magic, madness and legend never will. #Maradona pic.twitter.com/gQ2pYpfts7
— Sunil Chhetri (@chetrisunil11) November 26, 2020
Always a delight to be in his company. 🙌🏻 https://t.co/SfTo8SLqlR
— Gary Lineker (@GaryLineker) November 25, 2020
— Lorenzo Insigne (@Lor_Insigne) November 25, 2020
My friend 😔 RIP🌹
— Lothar Matthäus (@LMatthaeus10) November 25, 2020
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(Source: picture alliance / dpa) pic.twitter.com/6zoKN3unlj
RIP Legend.
— Kylian Mbappé (@KMbappe) November 25, 2020
You will stay in the history of football forever. Thanks you for all the pleasure you gave to the whole world 🙌🏽🙏🏽❤️
AÏE AÏE AÏE F*CKING 2020 😭😭😭 pic.twitter.com/8xc1CDKDg2
It's a very sad day for football. Today, we lost a true genius of the game that I always admired and had the great pleasure of meeting. RIP Diego 🙏🏾 and condolences to his family #legend #maradona #elpibe #rip pic.twitter.com/4dq9fSnIdK
— Nani (@luisnani) November 25, 2020
Meus sentimentos à família e a todos que amam este gênio. Meu amigo, meu ídolo, meu número 10, obrigado por cada instante em sua cia, seja em jogos ou num simples jantar. pic.twitter.com/qOISSEtLmn
— Ronaldinho Gaúcho (@10Ronaldinho) November 25, 2020
Rest In Peace, Legend 😢 pic.twitter.com/fs1nNgOZdx
— Timo Werner (@TimoWerner) November 25, 2020
By far the best I ever saw growing up, and arguably the greatest ever #RipDiego #Maradona #10 pic.twitter.com/OM9RhAFFvU
— Robbie Fowler (@Robbie9Fowler) November 25, 2020
RIP Legend 🙏🏻 #Maradona https://t.co/6RYbVY271A
— Alan Shearer (@alanshearer) November 25, 2020
I’ll never forget watching Diego Maradona as an 8 yr old at the World Cup in Mexico. Never seen anything like it on that stage since. Sad news #Maradona
— Jamie Carragher (@Carra23) November 25, 2020
pic.twitter.com/kBt9uItCtc
The world of sport has lost one of the greatest. Rest in peace, Diego Maradona ⚽🇦🇷💙🙏🏾 #shocked #legend pic.twitter.com/LGg8hgmT6O
— Antonio Rüdiger (@ToniRuediger) November 25, 2020
The best, such sad news. Rest in peace, legend. pic.twitter.com/YK2sjkmcJm
— Ben Chilwell (@BenChilwell) November 25, 2020
Legendary 💔 pic.twitter.com/BRd5oAXV9S
— Marcus Rashford MBE (@MarcusRashford) November 25, 2020
R.I.P. legend.... will never be forgotten! pic.twitter.com/SgjDxrY5Bp
— Petr Cech (@PetrCech) November 25, 2020
Mon idole est décédée,
— Didier Drogba (@didierdrogba) November 25, 2020
RIP Diego Armando Maradona, my first ever football shirt, the man behind my love for football
Gracias El Pibe 💔
🇦🇷 🇦🇷 🇦🇷 🇦🇷 🇦🇷 pic.twitter.com/Xns3Z72pxt
Buon viaggio DIEGO....RIP😢💙🙏 pic.twitter.com/6koiTVCPUl
— Fabio Cannavaro (@fabiocannavaro) November 25, 2020
Disfruté tu fútbol, disfruté tu magia...
— Diego Forlán (@DiegoForlan7) November 25, 2020
Gracias por tanto y que en paz descanses 🔟 pic.twitter.com/8hvzseTInD
Just woke up to the news of Diego Maradona passing away 😭. R.I.P to an absolute legend and true inspiration throughout my career. I watched and studied his game so much Cuz he was a lefty. Thank you for everything KING. Rest in paradise. Condolences to his family and friends ❤️
— Daniel Sturridge (@DanielSturridge) November 25, 2020
“Se stessi con un vestito bianco a un matrimonio e arrivasse un pallone infangato, lo stopperei di petto senza pensarci" - Diego Armando Maradona
— Alessandro Del Piero 🄰🄳🄿⑩ (@delpieroale) November 25, 2020
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Buon viaggio Diego! #RIP#ADP10 https://t.co/mT0R2JI4eE