Soccer legend Diego Armando Maradona died Wednesday after suffering a cardiac arrest at the age of 60, according to media reports.
On November 2, 2020, Maradona was admitted to a hospital in La Plata, reportedly for psychological reasons. A day later, the former Argentine football player had to undergo emergency surgery for a subdural hematoma, an accumulation of blood between a membrane and the brain. He was discharged on November 12 after the surgery.
Nicola Lombardo, the club spokesperson, said, “We are in mourning. We feel like a boxer who has been knocked out. We are in shock.”
The Argentine Football Association expressed “its deepest sorrow for the death of our legend,” adding, “you will always be in our hearts.”
Argentine President Alberto Fernández announced three days of national mourning.
Maradona, considered one of the greatest footballers of all time, helped Argentina win the World Cup in 1986. He also played football for clubs such as Boca Juniors, Napoli, Barcelona, among others.
Pelé, the former Brazilian soccer star, said it is sad to “lose friends this way.”
England football player Marcus Rashford shared a picture of Maradona, writing “Legendary,” with a heartbreak emoji.
Gary Lineker who is a sports broadcaster, said, “Reports from Argentina that Diego Armando Maradona has died. By some distance the best player of my generation and arguably the greatest of all time. After a blessed but troubled life, hopefully, he’ll finally find some comfort in the hands of God. #RipDiego.”
Brazilian coach and former footballer Zico said in 2005. “The best of the lot, no question. I saw Maradona do things that God himself would doubt were possible.”
After retiring, Maradona developed heart issues due to cocaine addiction. He endured wild weight and fitness swings, which seemed to reflect his do-or-die attitudes. In 2009, he said, “I am black or white. I’ll never be gray.”
Born on October 30, 1960, in Lanús, Buenos Aires Province, Maradona’s soccer talent was noticed when he was just eight on the hardpan fields of Villa Fiorito, a Buenos Aires slum.
It was Trainer Francisco Cornejo who was first spotted Maradona’s potential. He eventually signed him for Argentinos Juniors’s youth team, which he led to a 136-game unbeaten run.
At the age of 16, he made his debut in the country’s top tier in 1976. He was the league’s leading scorer for three consecutive seasons from 1978.
However, due to his young age, Cesar Luis Menotti, the Argentine coach at the time, left Maradona off the 1978 World Cup roster. In 1981. Maradona moved to giants Boca Juniors, helping them to win the league championship.
