2020, ever the bastard, has today claimed Diego Maradona. Three days of national mourning have been declared in Argentina. The footballing world has lost one of it brightest lights.
Tributes have poured in across the sporting and political world. President Michael D Higgins released a statement saying
It is with sadness that I and supporters of football everywhere will have learned of the death of Diego Maradona, arguably and widely regarded as the World’s greatest football player of all time.
Football fans around the world will remember Maradona not only for his phenomenal talent for ball control, passing and dribbling, but for the vision of him on the field and the joy he brought to so many.
He was an inspiration for many a young child playing football. His winning of the accolade ‘FIFA Player of the Century’ in 1999 - an award he shared with Pelé - is testimony to the high regard he was, and will continue to be, held in by football fans for many years to come.
While he will be sadly missed by his family and friends at Boca Juniors, his loss will also be felt by millions of soccer fans in Argentina and across the world.
Pelé, Maradona's old foe, tweeted: 'What sad news. I lost a great friend and the world lost a legend. There is still much to be said, but for now, may God give strength to family members. One day, I hope we can play ball together in the sky.'
Alberto Fernandez, the president of Argentina, said: "You took us to the top of the world. You made us immensely happy. You were the greatest of them all.
'Thank you for having existed, Diego. We're going to miss you all our lives.'
Maradona's former Argentina teammate Ossie Ardilles wrote:'Thank dear Dieguito for your friendship, for your football, sublime, without comparison. Simply, the best football player in the history of football. So many enjoyable moments together. Impossible to say which one was the best. RIP my dear friend.'
One of our favourite tributes came from Robbie Keane, who had shared some photos with his son Robert and the Napoli legend upon the occasion of El Diego's 60th birthday last month. Maradona was sound enough to reply to the message, saying 'Thank you very much friend and please send my regards to little Robert and your entire family.'
Football clubs and legends of the game and even the English GA have weighed in with the tributes. Here are some of our favourites:
Per Sempre 💙
Ciao Diego pic.twitter.com/LzppqlBqLV— Official SSC Napoli (@sscnapoli) November 25, 2020
Que notícia triste. Eu perdi um grande amigo e o mundo perdeu uma lenda. Ainda há muito a ser dito, mas por agora, que Deus dê força para os familiares. Um dia, eu espero que possamos jogar bola juntos no céu. pic.twitter.com/6Li76HTikA
— Pelé (@Pele) November 25, 2020
Unforgettable.
Farewell, Diego. A legend of our game. pic.twitter.com/iIXGLEf7B1— England (@England) November 25, 2020
It was an honour competing against you, Diego. 🙏 pic.twitter.com/gc7JmBFyfy
— Belgian Red Devils (@BelRedDevils) November 25, 2020
Rest in peace, Diego Armando Maradona. You are eternal. pic.twitter.com/qHN7Qc4oxa
— Johan Cruyff (@JohanCruyff) November 25, 2020
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
— Gary Lineker 💙💛 (@GaryLineker) November 25, 2020
Hasta siempre, Diego.
Serás #Eterno en cada corazón del planeta fútbol. pic.twitter.com/jcsGP3GlNI— Selección Argentina 🇦🇷 (@Argentina) November 25, 2020
Eternas gracias. Eterno Diego. pic.twitter.com/SZVNOJnZ1j
— Boca Juniors (@BocaJrsOficial) November 25, 2020
Artist. Icon. Legend.
Rest in peace, Diego Maradona pic.twitter.com/8Cvzm40aEA— Leeds United (@LUFC) November 25, 2020
Mon idole est décédée,
RIP Diego Armando Maradona, my first ever football shirt, the man behind my love for football
Gracias El Pibe 💔
🇦🇷 🇦🇷 🇦🇷 🇦🇷 🇦🇷 pic.twitter.com/Xns3Z72pxt— Didier Drogba (@didierdrogba) November 25, 2020
Football and the world of sports has lost one of its greatest players today.
Rest in Peace Diego Maradona!
You shall be missed. pic.twitter.com/QxhuROZ5a5— Sachin Tendulkar (@sachin_rt) November 25, 2020
Rest in peace, Diego Armando Maradona. You are eternal. pic.twitter.com/qHN7Qc4oxa
— Johan Cruyff (@JohanCruyff) 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
