Taha Al-Ani - Al-Jazeera Net

Iraqis and other football fans in the Arab world were shocked this morning by the news of the death of Iraqi soccer legend Ahmed Radhi, who was affected by a virus in a hospital in Baghdad, and the media sites were affected by the news.

Radi was injured in Corona on the 13th of this month. He was admitted to Al-Numan Hospital in Baghdad to continue treatment. He was discharged last Thursday morning before returning due to a setback in his health.

It was hoped that Ahmed Radi, 56, would leave on a private medical plane to the Jordanian capital, Amman, to complete his treatment there, after obtaining official approvals from the Jordanian authorities to take him there, where he has been staying with his family for several years.

The social networking sites were filled with news of the death of the Iraqi soccer legend, a member of the Iraqi parliament in its previous session.

Great sorrow 

Sports star Younis Mahmoud wrote in his Twitter account, "I cried my heart before the eyes of my beloved Abu Haya, the biggest shock, and God is hard for this post."

I cried my heart before my eyes, my beloved Abu Haya, the biggest shock. By God, this post is difficult for him. There is no power and no power except with God .. I belong to God and I return to him .. pic.twitter.com/vFoSBOjmnu

- Younis Mahmoud (@ YounisMahmoud10) June 21, 2020

Iraqi artist Kazem El-Saher expressed his condolences to the Iraqis. He said, "With deep sorrow and sadness, we extend our deepest condolences and sincere sympathy to the Iraqi people with the death of the Iraqi soccer legend Ahmed Radi."

With great sorrow and sadness, we extend our deepest condolences and sincere sympathy to the Iraqi people with the death of Iraqi football legend Ahmed Radi. We belong to God, and to Him we return. Https://t.co/uzGXHg14S3 pic.twitter.com/vlguHwhSw9

- Kazem Al Saher (@KadimAlSahirORG) June 21, 2020

For his part, the media activist Muhannad Al-Husseini wrote "Farewell to Caesar Iraqi football," noting that Captain Ahmed Radi has a "football career full of titles and achievements with the teams and clubs he represented."

The specialist doctor, Uqba Al-Zubaidi, commented, "The beauty and history of Iraqi football and our distant childhood are under the protection of God, your archive will remain in the memory of the generation who saw you with the national team and with Al-Rashid and Al-Zawraa club. Historical goal. "

The beauty and history of Iraqi football and our distant childhood under the protection of God, may God have mercy on you, captain, your archive will remain in the memory of the generation who saw you with the team and with the Al-Rashid club and Al-Zawra and your photos and pictures of old players will remain attached to the memory walls, and we will tell our children about the story of the number 8..and For the owner of the historical target #Ahmad Radhi pic.twitter.com/Zh8anwNcsw

Dr. Aqba Al-Zubaidi (@okbafathy) June 21, 2020

Official obituary

Iraqi officials and ambassadors of foreign countries also offered their condolences on the death of Radi. Iraqi President Barham Salih said, "We offer condolences to the family, loved ones, and lovers of Captain Ahmed Radi, who passed away today."

He added, "Although we lost him, he is alive in the heart of every Iraqi, with his national identity and memory filled with creativity and footballing achievements."

We offer condolences to the family, loved ones, and lovers of Captain Ahmed Radi, who passed away today.
Although we lost him, he is alive in the heart of every Iraqi, with his national identity and memory, filled with creativity and footballing achievements.
It is the consolation of all Iraqis, mercy and forgiveness for his soul, and our condolences to his family and loved ones. # Ahmad_Radhi pic.twitter.com/IX26HkTePt

- Barham Salih (@BarhamSalih) June 21, 2020

Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kazimi commented, "Ahmed Radhi has left us, wearing the green shirt, which I have always loved and has always liked."

Al-Kazemi pointed out that "the life of every Iraqi is precious, so that we adhere to health guidelines and social estrangement, in order to protect ourselves and society, and to overcome this ordeal together."

Ahmad Radhi has left us wearing the green shirt, which he has always loved and has always liked.
We ask God for forgiveness, for his family and loved ones, and for all of us patience and solace.
The life of every Iraqi is precious, to abide by health guidelines and social estrangement, in order to protect ourselves and society, and to overcome this ordeal together.

- Mustafa Al-Kadhimi Mustafa Al-Kadhimi (@MAKadhimi) June 21, 2020

Also, Canadian Ambassador Ulrique Shannon shared a picture of Captain Ahmed Radi in Baghdad, and read, "To the mercy of God, Captain Ahmed Radi."

To the mercy of God, Captain Ahmed Radi. pic.twitter.com/T5gxbzl62j

- Ulric Shannon 🇨🇦 (@UlricShannon) June 21, 2020

"It is sad and painful to hear the news of the death of Iraqi soccer legend Captain Ahmed Radi, my heartfelt condolences to his family and all his loved ones," wrote British Ambassador Stephen Hickey.

It is sad and painful to hear the news of the death of the Iraqi football legend, Captain Ahmed Radi, my heartfelt condolences to his family and all his loved ones. May your soul rest in peace # Ahmed_Radi pic.twitter.com/3s5YnUQzW4

- Stephen Hickey (@sblhickey) June 21, 2020

Arab and global

Sadness was not confined to the separation of Ahmed Radhi from the Iraqis, as international and Arab sports federations called him, and media and activists from various Arab countries expressed their grief, and others criticized the Iraqi authorities' inability to transfer Radhi to outside the country for treatment.

FIFA said: "The Union expressed its condolences to the family and friends of Iraqi legend Ahmed Radi, who died today at the age of 56," and added, "We will always remember him as one of the best players in the history of football."

The FIFA extends its condolences to the family and friends of Iraqi legend Ahmed Radhi, who died today at the age of 56.
May God have mercy on the great player and we will always remember him as one of the best players in football history. pic.twitter.com/r4swqzWQoy

- FIFA.com - English (@fifacom) June 21, 2020

The Qatar Football Association also offered condolences to the family of the Iraqi star and all the Arab and Iraqi fans on the death of one of the Iraqi football legends.

# Ahmed_Radhi,
our condolences to the family of the Iraqi star and all the Arab and Iraqi fans upon the death of one of the Iraqi soccer legends, Captain Ahmed Radi, and I am God, and we return to him pic.twitter.com/iKivsBZ84Z

- Qatar Football Association from 21 (@QFA) June 21, 2020

For his part, Moroccan sports journalist Ashraf bin Ayyad wrote, "May God have mercy on Captain Almighty and Creatures Ahmed Radi, my sincere condolences to the Iraqi sports family."

May God have mercy, captain and good man, Ahmed Radhi, my sincere condolences to the Iraqi sports family. We belong to God and to Him we shall return pic.twitter.com/U49F4T1jFA

- Achraf Ben Ayad (@Benayadachraf) June 21, 2020

Corona and Iraqi athletes

Radi was not the only star to be kidnapped by Corona. The emerging virus invaded the Iraqi sports community, and during the recent period, cases and deaths were recorded among the athletes.

The Iraqi Ministry of Sports and Youth had announced earlier this month the death of the Deputy Director General of the Coordination and Follow-up Department, Faleh Odeh, as a result of his deteriorating health condition after he was infected with the Corona virus.

A few days ago, the Iraqis were shocked with the death of the former international junior Iraqi national soccer coach Ali Hadi, who had contracted the virus.

It is noteworthy that Ahmed Radi won the title of Best Player in Asia in 1988, and was crowned top scorer for the Gulf Cup in Saudi Arabia in the same year. He also managed to achieve the goal of the only Iraqi national team in the FIFA World Cup, which was held in Mexico in 1986, in a black team match Al-Rafidayn v. Belgium.

And the late enjoys wide popularity and distinguished especially among the people interested in football at the level of Iraq and the Arab world, thanks to his accomplishments during the previous decades and the distinguished titles he obtained.

Radi won the title of player of the century in Iraq with the other star Hussein Saeed, and participated in two Olympic sessions, the first in 1984 in Los Angeles, and the second in Seoul in 1988, and he retired in 1999 after a bus career with many clubs, including Al-Zawra and Al-Rasheed in Iraq and Al-Wakrah Qatar.