A very sad day for all Argentines and football. He has left us but he will never leave us because Diego is eternal. THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2020 – Lionel Messi ‘Eternal’ Maradona’s passing away plunges football world into mourning Argentina’s football team captain Diego Maradona kisses the World Cup trophy won by his team after a 3-2 victory over West Germany at the Azteca Stadium in Mexico City, watched by Mexican President Miguel de La Madrid (left) and West German Chancellor Helmut Kohl, In this file photo taken on January 7, 2013, SSC Napoli’s fans display a flag with the effigy of Napoli’s former Argentinian player Diego Armando Maradona during the Serie A match on June 29, 1986. (AFP) vs AS Roma at San Paolo Stadium in Naples. (AFP) AFP “Always in our hearts, Ciao tion, notably to cocaine, and his own half. Diego is eternal. farewell to Maradona, who logo on their social media ac- LONDON Diego.” Boca posted: “Eternal with his weight, in contrast “By some distance the best “I will keep all the beauti- won the hearts of the south- counts to black. thanks. Eternal Diego.” to the more clean-cut image player of my generation and ful moments that I lived with ern Italian city of Naples by Maradona spent seven THE football world united Maradona also played for of Brazilian legend and three- arguably the greatest of all him and would like to send my leading the club to its only two years at then-unfashionable to pay tribute to one of the Barcelona and Sevilla in Eu- time World Cup winner Pele. time,” said Gary Lineker, who condolences to all his family league titles in 1987 and 1990. Napoli between 1984 and 1991, game’s greatest-ever players rope and Argentinos Juniors “What sad news. I lost a scored England’s goal in that and friends. RIP.” “Always in our hearts. during which he also lifted the after Argentine legend Diego and Newell’s Old Boys in Ar- great friend and the world lost match. Ciao Diego,” the club tweeted 1989 UEFA Cup, Napoli’s only Maradona died at the age of gentina before embarking on a legend,” Pele tweeted. “One “After a blessed but trou- ‘A bit of our past has alongside a blue heart emoji European trophy. 60 on Wednesday. a far less successful manage- day, I hope we play soccer to- bled life, hopefully he’ll fi- gone’ - Platini shortly after the news broke He also won the Italian Renowned for inspiring rial career. gether in the sky.” nally find some comfort in the European footballing great that the Argentine had died of Cup in 1987 and the Italian Argentina to win the World “Thank you for everything The pinnacle of Marado- hands of God. #RipDiego.” Michel Platini said “a bit of a heart attack aged 60. Super Cup in 1990. Cup in 1986, he was most Diego. FC Barcelona expresses na’s playing career came in the our past has gone”. “I am very “Everyone is waiting for Italian sports minister loved at club level for his its deepest condolences re- 1986 World Cup quarter-final, ‘Diego is eternal’ - Messi sad. I am nostalgic for what our words,” the club said in a Vincenzo Spadafora, a native spells with Boca Juniors in his garding the death of Diego where his two iconic goals de- Lionel Messi paid trib- was a wonderful era,” Platini, second post with a photograph of Naples, also paid tribute to homeland and Napoli in Italy, Armando Maradona, a player feated England 2-1. ute to Diego Maradona on who starred for France in the of the Argentine in the club’s Maradona. where he won the club’s only for our club (1982-84) and an Both goals reflectedWednesday by calling him 1980s and played for Juventus blue jersey. “The death of Maradona two Serie A titles. icon of world football,” Barce- Maradona’s larger-than-life “eternal” after his fellow Ar- against Maradona’s Napoli, “But what words can we is terrible news. He was more “You are eternal in every lona said in a statement. character. gentinian football great died told French radio station RTL. use for pain like the one we are than a champion, he was a heart in world football,” the Maradona is remembered For the first he punched the of a heart attack, aged 60. “Diego left a mark on experiencing? Now is the time football genius, an absolute Twitter account of the Ar- for his masterly composure on ball into the net for a goal he “A very sad day for all Ar- my life.” for tears. Then there will be champion,” Spadafora said. gentina national team posted the ball, but he was also famous named “Hand of God”, while gentines and football,” Messi the time for words.” “In an unrepeatable sea- alongside a picture of Mara- for his frequent lack of control for the second he showed in- wrote on Instagram. ‘Ciao Diego:’ Napoli bid As a sign of mourning, son he represented the dreams dona holding the World Cup. both on the field and off. credible skill by dancing round “He has left us but he farewell to club legend Napoli changed the blue and hopes of the people of my Napoli’s Twitter feed said: He struggled with addic- the England team from inside will never leave us because Napoli on Wednesday bid background colour of its club city. Naples is crying tonight.” When Diego Maradona visited Qatar for the opening of Aspire Academy IKOLI VICTOR Maradona trained with legend and retain it as a remem- DOHA some of the Aspire youth play- brance for the rest of his life. ers under the watchful eyes In 2013, Maradona trav- DIEGO Armando Maradona of their coaches in the Aspire elled to Qatar again this time won many hearts and sup- pitches. His playing exploits as UAE side coach Al Wasl. porters on his visit to Qatar and memories captivated He led the club to book FIFA President Gianni Infantino with Diego Maradona. at the opening of the Aspire many of Qatar’s fans, and this their place in the final of the Academy of Sports Excellence was evident during the time he Gulf Champions League after (Aspire Dome) alongside Pele visited the country. a 4-2 overall victory over Qa- Infantino pays tribute on 17 November 2005. On November 18, 2005, tar’s Al Khor in the two-legged The winner of the 1986 Maradona visited the Al Sadd semi-final. FIFA President Gianni Infan- Diego deserves our eternal World Cup was the cynosure Sports Club, where he dem- It was a match to recall how tino paid a personal tribute on gratitude for that, for having of all eyes as visitors and ad- onstrated his talents to hun- many people came to see the FIFA : “Today is an unbeliev- amazed us with his incredible mirers lined up for his auto- dreds of fans at the club’s play game because of the soccer leg- ably sad day. Our Diego left us. talent and yes, for having been graphs, handshakes and photo turf. Maradona also wore the end. Most of the Al Khor players Our hearts – of all of us who so unique: for having been sessions. No one was excluded headgear to the admiration of hurried to the former manager loved him for how he was, and Diego Armando Maradona, a from Maradona’s charm, as fans at the club premises. I re- of Al Wasl for photographs and for what he represented – have legend, a hero, and… a man,” most of the people at the icon- member a particular fan who shared greetings. Fans were not stopped beating for a moment. he added. ic Aspire Academy stared in came with his family to catch left out when the World Cup Our silence, our tears, our pain “Diego may be eternal awe at the football hero. a glimpse of the great Argen- winner signed autographs and is the only thing we are feeling now, but for forever, Diego After the opening of the tine. He said Maradona’s feats posed for photos. deep inside us at this time. will also have a most promi- Aspire Dome, Maradona laud- at the 1986 World Cup were an We all wished that the great “I always said it and I can nent place in the incredible ed Qatar’s insight in creating a attraction for him to enjoy soc- legend would be back in Qatar just repeat it now, more con- story of all football fairy tales. splendid sports academy and cer. He said he wouldn’t have for the FIFA World Cup 2022 vinced than ever: What Diego Our deepest sympathy goes to urged children to be given the believed that he would meet but sadly he is no more but his has done for football, for mak- his family and friends at this chance to excel under the tute- the legend in person in Qatar. beautiful memories will surely ing all of us fall in love with this difficult time. Rest in peace, lage of experienced trainers at Diego Maradona with Pele in Doha during the Aspire Academy for Another fan said he was contnue to inspire the football- beautiful game, is unique. It dear Diego. We love you.” the academy. Sports Excellence opening on November 17, 2005. (Pic: Karim Jaffar) willing to take a snapshot of the ing world. is, as he is, simply immense... (FIFA.COM) Sports Thursday, November 26, 2020 13 Cuban President Fidel Castro plays football with Diego Armando Maradona, during Diego Maradona with Pele after a football match at the Jardin du Palais Royal in Diego Maradona is greeted by Pope Francis at the Vatican City on October 12, the recording of Maradona’s TV program “The 10’s Night” in Havana on October Paris, on the eve of the Euro 2016, on June 9, 2016.