Planet football salutes legend Maradona
Maradona in 2008. AFP - JOSEP LAGO
Text by: Farid Achache Follow
4 min
Football star, modern hero but also tragic figure, the life of Diego Maradona, who died this Wednesday, November 25, fascinated millions of fans around the world.
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What country other than Argentina can declare three days of national mourning for a football player?
Maradona will remain more than a genius of the round ball in his country and in the rest of the world.
Pelé: "
The world has lost a legend
"
Tonight, Pelé, his Brazilian rival, speaks of "
sad news
".
“
I have lost a great friend and the world has lost a legend.
There are many other things to say, but for now, may God give strength to his family.
One day, I hope we can play football together in heaven,
”writes on Instagram the other genius of world football.
Gary Lineker, his opponent during the famous Argentina-England at the 1986 World Cup, said on Twitter that Maradona remains "
by far the best player
" of his generation and perhaps "
the greatest of all time
".
"
After a blessed but tormented life, let us hope that he will finally find comfort in the hands of God,
" he adds.
The Boca Juniors club was obviously quick to greet the legend: “
Eternal thanks.
Eternal Diego
”.
Naples, which had its golden age and its only two titles of Italian football champions (1987, 1990) with Diego Maradona wrote: “
Forever.
Ciao Diego
”about the man who was nicknamed“
the Che of the sport
”by Fidel Castro.
In 1987, a year after “
the hand of God
” and his world coronation, Maradona visited Fidel Castro for the first time in Cuba.
When he touches death in 2000 and 2004, suffering from cocaine addiction and obesity since the end of his career in 1997, it is on the island that he will seek treatment.
In 2005, having become a successful TV host, he interviews Castro in Havana on his show “
La noche del Diez
”.
“
El Pibe de Oro
”, the golden kid, has not forgotten his roots and has never hidden his ideals.
Read also: Diego Maradona, death of a universal legend
"
He marked the World Cup in Mexico
"
Former FIFA president Sepp Blatter talks about the disappearance of "
one of the best football players of our time.
He marked the World Cup in Mexico with the Argentine victory and the hand of God, which he has just found.
"
The Argentina team writes: “
Goodbye, Diego.
You will be eternal in all the
hearts
of the football planet.
"While Ubaldo Fillol, his teammate at the 1982 World Cup said:"
Farewell, Pelusa!
Thank you for all the joy you have given Argentines and football lovers.
You were the greatest of all time.
You will be remembered with the love and glory you deserve
.
"
“
A very sad day for all Argentines and for football.
He leaves us but he does not go away, because Diego is eternal.
I keep in me all the beautiful moments I spent with him and would like to take this opportunity to convey my condolences to all his family and friends.
RIP
”, reacted the six-fold Ballon d'Or Messi.
The life of Diego Maradona, born October 30, 1960 in the province of Buenos Aires, has been punctuated by many health problems, some of which are linked to excesses of all kinds which have sometimes made him flirt with death.
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