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The football world is in mourning following the passing of Argentinian legend Diego Maradona.
The 60-year-old passed away after suffering a heart attack in the early hours of Thursday (Australian time), and tributes quickly poured in for a man who was one of the greatest to ever play the beautiful game, if not the greatest.
Pele, who is considered by so many to be Maradona’s main rival to the title of greatest of all time, took to Twitter after the news.
“Sad news to lose a friend like that. May God give enough strength to his family. For sure, one day we will kick a ball together in heaven.”
Meanwhile in Naples, where Maradona guided Napoli to their only two Serie A titles in 1987 and 1990, fans took to the streets to pay their respects to their idol, and mayor Luigi De Magistris has proposed renaming the club’s stadium after the Argentinian maestro.
“Maradona is Napoli. The passion for him here is known to everyone,” De Magistris said. “Maradona united Neapolitans all over the world – as well as fans of other squads.
“Today all Neapolitans embrace his family, with the awareness that this embrace will never end, because it was real love. A great love.”
Argentina’s president has declared three days of national mourning for Maradona.
Lionel Messi, dubbed as Maradona’s heir on the football pitch, said, “A very sad day for all Argentinians and for football. He leaves us, but he is not gone because Diego is eternal. I stay with all the beautiful moments I lived with him and I wanted to send my condolences to his family and friends.”
Cristiano Ronaldo also paid tribute, saying “Today I bid farewell to a friend and the world farewells to an eternal genius. One of the best ever, an unmatched magician. Leaves too soon but leaves a boundless legacy and a void that will never be filled. RIP. You will never be forgotten.”
The world awaits our words but there are no words to describe the pain we're going through. Now is the time to grieve.
Diego ???? pic.twitter.com/40TTOIDNQ4— Official SSC Napoli (@en_sscnapoli) 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
Eternas gracias. Eterno Diego. pic.twitter.com/SZVNOJnZ1j
— Boca Jrs. Oficial (desde ????) (@BocaJrsOficial) November 25, 2020
Forever an icon of our beautiful game.
Vale Diego Maradona. pic.twitter.com/Yhv3R7zwJh
— Socceroos (@Socceroos) November 25, 2020
Privileged to have met him. Very sad news. RIP Diego Maradona. pic.twitter.com/x2LcIeQPqr
— Harry Kane (@HKane) November 25, 2020
R.I.P to the greatest to ever play our beautiful game. He was my idol growing up, I remember watching hours documentaries of him. One of my dreams was to meet him one day. I am grateful that dream came true. Can't believe his gone, this one hurts ???? #ripmaradona pic.twitter.com/7FpmQzUTTp
— Jasson A Davidson (@jasondavidson29) November 25, 2020
DON DIEGO MARADONA…
???? Descanse em paz!???? LENDA do futebol ????????⚽
⠀
????Rest in peace!???? LEGEND of football ????????⚽
⠀#Neymar #NeymarJr #Football #Futebol #Argentina #Maradona #DiegoMaradona #RIPMaradona pic.twitter.com/o981Be1Qw9— Neymar Jr Site (@NeymarJrSite) November 25, 2020
Legendary ???? pic.twitter.com/BRd5oAXV9S
— Marcus Rashford MBE (@MarcusRashford) November 25, 2020
RIP the great Diego Maradona.Quite simply the best ever.Thank you!! pic.twitter.com/g5wGRXRVgX
— Robbie Slater (@RobbieSlater17) November 25, 2020
With AAP