Former Brazilian football player Pele, who along with Diego Maradona is called one of the best in history, commented on the death of his friend.

He said that he hopes to still meet with the Argentine after passing away.

“Today I learned the sad news.

I have lost a dear friend, and the world has lost a legend.

There is much more to say about this, but for now - God grant his family strength.

I hope one day we will play football in heaven together, ”Pele wrote on Instagram.

Argentina's current legend Lionel Messi, who played under Maradona at the 2010 World Cup, said that fans will never forget Diego.

“A very sad day for all Argentines and for football.

He leaves us, but he did not die, because Diego is eternal.

I will always remember the wonderful moments that I experienced with him.

I would like to express my condolences to his family and friends.

Rest in peace, "- quoted by Messi ABC.

Juventus and Portugal striker Cristiano Ronaldo said that Maradona's legacy will survive the centuries.

According to him, the Argentinian worked miracles on the field.

“Today I say goodbye to a friend, and the world to an eternal genius.

He is one of the best in history, an unsurpassed wizard.

He leaves too early, but leaves a boundless legacy and a void that cannot be filled with anything, ”said Ronaldo.

He noted the merits of Maradona to football and the Brazilian national team striker Neymar.

He is also confident that fans will remember the 1986 world champion for a long time.

“You will forever remain in our memory, you left your legacy.

Football is grateful to you.

Rest in peace, legend, ”wrote Neymar in his social networks.

One of the first to react to Maradona's death was the former England football player Gary Lineker, who played against the Argentine at the World Cup in Mexico.

He called him the best footballer he had ever met on the same pitch.

“According to reports from Argentina, Diego Armando Maradona has died.

He was the best player of my generation, vastly superior, and probably the greatest of all time.

After a happy but troubled life, I hope he will finally find some comfort in the hands of the Lord.

Rest in peace, Diego, ”Lineker wrote on Twitter.

Manchester City head coach Josep Guardiola expressed his condolences to the Maradona family after defeating Olympiacos in the Champions League.

He urged fans not to pay attention to those negative aspects of the Argentine's life outside the field.

“First of all, I want to support Sergio Aguero, because Diego was the grandfather of his son.

Many years ago I saw a poster in Argentina that said, “It doesn't matter what you did with your life.

It is important what you did for ours. "

There are not so many amazing football players in history, and Diego was one of them.

For the people of our generation, those who saw the 1986 World Cup in Mexico and his other games, he was the man who made our sport better.

A big hug to his family on behalf of Manchester City, Guardiola said.

After a draw with Lokomotiv, the death of Maradona was commented on by the head coach of Atlético Diego Simeone.

The Argentine specialist admitted that he still cannot believe in the death of his great compatriot.

He noted that Maradona greatly influenced his life.

"It is very difficult.

They call you and say that Maradona is dead, but you cannot believe it.

The legend left us, the great Argentinian, who put his power into the fight against negativity, he always inspired us.

We grew up at different times, but he found an opportunity to infect us with football.

We communicated with him when I was very young, it was a turning point in my life.

This is a very important person for the whole Argentina.

He is very strong, he always won, but in this situation he could not.

Maradona will forever remain in our memory, this is a real legend, we are very hard and sad.

I hug all his relatives, for me this is a great loss, ”Simeone said.

International Football Federation (FIFA) President Gianni Infantino said Maradona deserves eternal thanks from the fans.

According to him, the contribution of the Argentinean to the development of football is unmatched.

“Today is an incredibly sad day.

Our Diego has left us.

The hearts of all of us who loved him for who he was and for what he personified stopped beating for a moment.

Our silence, our tears, our pain are the only things that we feel deep inside now.

I have always said and can repeat now, being even more convinced of this, that what Diego did for football, making us all love this wonderful game, is unique.

For this Diego deserves our eternal gratitude, as well as for the fact that he amazed us with his incredible talent and was so unique: he was Diego Armando Maradona, a legend, a hero and a man, ”the FIFA website quotes Infantino.

Milan striker and ex-captain of the Swedish national team Zlatan Ibrahimovic said that he did not know a more talented football player than Maradona.

“Maradona is not dead, he is immortal.

God gave the world the most gifted footballer of all time.

He will live forever, ”Ibrahimovic wrote on Instagram.

The 1998 world champion in the French national team, Christian Karambeu, said he was saddened by the news of Maradona's death.

According to the former athlete, it was the Argentinian who made fans love football.

“Diego is a legend.

It is very sad to lose one of the most unique and iconic stars in our entire world.

Maradona has inspired many people of our generation to love football.

All thoughts are with his family.

May his soul rest in peace, ”said Karambyo to the Championship.

Former FIFA President Joseph Blatter recalled that Maradona achieved incredible success from an early age and helped the Argentine national team win not only the World Cup in 1986, but also the youth championship of the planet.

“I want to say that Maradona really left an imprint on world football in the last three decades.

He was an extraordinary footballer.

Diego is the man who led his team to the 1979 World Youth Championship in Tokyo, where Argentina defeated the USSR national team in the final, scoring three goals at the end of the decisive match.

I have a parallel with the 1986 World Cup in Mexico.

There he brought victory to the national team.

Scored that unforgettable goal with the "hand of God" in the match with the British.

And now God called him home.

Rest in peace, Diego.

Thanks for all!"

- Blatter told Sport-Express.

Former President of the Union of European Football Associations Michel Platini, who played at the same time as Maradona, admitted that he misses the times when such legends appeared on the field.

“Our past is leaving.

I am very sad.

I am nostalgic for a time that was beautiful.

Gone are Johan Cruyff, Alfredo Di Stefano, Ferenc Puskas - great players who left their mark on my youth, "RIA Novosti quotes Platini with reference to RTL.