‘Dazzling, infamous, extraordinary, genius, outrageous. Diego Maradona. A flawed football icon’ was BBC’s perfect description of the fallen football icon.
On Thursday afternoon, the football world was struck by the sad news of the death of Argentina legend Maradona. At the age of 60 years, Maradona breathed his last days after undergoing brain surgery.
Maradona is considered by many as the greatest player to ever play the game of football, boasting a grail of vision, skill and flair which endeared him to fans and football stars alike.
The Argentine scored 259 goals in 491 matches throughout his career including 34 goals in 91 appearances for Argentina who he guided to the 1986 World Cup triumph and an appearance in the finals in the 1990 World Cup.
Maradona broke the world record transfer fee twice. First in 1982 when left Boca Juniors for Barcelona for £3 million and two years later, he joined Napoli from Barca for £5 million, with more than 80,000 fans turning up for his unveiling.
In 1997, Maradona announced his retirement from football at 37, after multiple positive tests for drug abuse.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino led the condolence messages for Maradona, saying; “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. Rest in peace, dear Diego. We love you.”
African and Cameroon legend Roger Milla who was the catalyst for perhaps the biggest upset of Maradona’s career in the 1990 World Cup tweeted; “I can’t believe it. My great friend Diego Maradona passed away today. Terrible news. Sad year. Rest in Peace legend.”
Everton FC manager Carlo Ancelotti tweeted; ‘You were always a genius. Today is a very sad day and a great loss. But you, my friend, are eternal’.
