Maradona dies at 60: “between genius and madness” he rests in peace
Diego Maradona was an inspiration as a captain when Argentina won the World Cup in 1986
Football legend Diego Maradona, one of the greatest players of all time, has died at the age of 60.
The former Argentine midfielder and attacking coach suffered a heart attack at his home in Buenos Aires.
He underwent successful surgery on a brain blood clot in early November and was due to be treated for alcohol addiction.
Maradona was the captain when Argentina won the 1986 World Cup, scoring the famous “Hand of God” goal against England in the quarter-finals.
Argentina and Barcelona striker Lionel Messi paid tribute to Maradona, saying he was "eternal".
"A very sad day for all Argentines and for football," said Messi. “He leaves us but does not go away, because Diego is eternal.
"I keep all the good times I lived with him and I send my condolences to all his family and friends".
In a statement on social media, the Argentine Football Association expressed "its deepest sorrow for the death of our legend", adding: "You will always be in our hearts".
Declaring three days of national mourning, Alberto Fernandez, the president of Argentina, said: “You have taken us to the top of the world. You have made us immensely happy. You were the greatest of them all.
“Thanks for being there, Diego. We will miss you for life. "
Maradona played for Barcelona and Napoli during his club career, winning two Serie A titles with the Italian team. He began his career with Argentinos Juniors, also playing for Seville, and Boca Juniors and Newell's Old Boys in his homeland.
He scored 34 goals in 91 appearances for Argentina, representing them in four World Cups.
Maradona led his country to the 1990 final in Italy, where he was beaten by West Germany, before being captained in the United States again in 1994, but was sent home after failing a drug test for ephedrine.
During the second half of his career, Maradona struggled with cocaine addiction and was banned for 15 months after testing positive for the drug in 1991.
He retired from professional football in 1997, on his 37th birthday, during his second stint at the Argentine giants Boca Juniors.
After briefly managing two teams in Argentina during his playing career, Maradona was named head coach of the national team in 2008 and left after the 2010 World Cup, where his team was beaten by Germany in the quarter-finals.
He subsequently managed teams in the UAE and Mexico and was head of Gimnasia y Esgrima in the Argentine top flight at the time of his death.
The world pays homage
Brazilian legend Pele paid tribute to Maradona, writing on Twitter: “What sad news. I lost a great friend and the world has lost a legend. There is much more to be said, but for now, may God empower family members. One day, I hope we can play ball together in the sky “.
Former England striker and Match of the Day host Gary Lineker, who was part of the England side beaten by Argentina at the 1986 World Cup, said Maradona was "of some distance, the best player of my generation and probably the greatest of all time ”.
Former Tottenham and Argentina midfielder Ossie Ardiles said: “Thank you dear Dieguito for your friendship, for your football, sublime, unparalleled. Quite simply, the best footballer in the history of football. So many good times together. Impossible to say which. it was the best. RIP my dear friend. "
Juventus and Portugal forward Cristiano Ronaldo said: “Today I greet a friend and the world greets an eternal genius. One of the best of all time. An unparalleled magician. It leaves too soon, but leaves a limitless legacy and a void that will never be filled. Rest in peace, ace. You will never be forgotten.