Maradona's body arrives at the presidential palace for a final look
The body of Argentine legend Diego Maradona arrived after midnight yesterday at the presidential palace in his country, where he will be sheltered for one day so that his countrymen can take a final look at one of the greatest and most controversial football players.
Maradona died on Wednesday at the age of 60 years after the announcement of his death, to plunge the entire world into deep sadness over an immortal legend that many grew up watching.
Argentine President Alberto Fernandes immediately announced mourning for a period of three days, before announcing that the body would be kept for one day instead of the three as previously planned in the presidential palace, at the request of the family.
His ex-wife Claudia Viavagni and their two daughters Dalma and Ganinia arrived at the presidential palace before midnight Wednesday-Thursday, in addition to many current and former players, especially his colleagues who lifted the World Cup in Mexico in 1986. The fans had begun to stand in long lines outside the presidential palace. Casa Rosada, to greet the legend.
Attorney John Bruyard stated that the primary autopsy results indicated that the cause of death was "secondary acute pulmonary edema and chronic heart failure".
The health of player No. 10 has been careful in recent days, after he underwent early November surgery to remove a brain tumor and was recovering at his home on the outskirts of the capital, Buenos Aires.
Thousands of fans of the Argentine star gathered during the evening near the stadiums of the clubs for which he played in his country, in Buenos Aires (Argentinos Juniors and Boca Juniors), Rosario (Newell's Old Boys) as well as in La Plata, where he supervised the Jimnasia club before his death.
Others gathered around the Obelisco monument in the capital, a traditional place to celebrate sporting events.
Francesco Salaveri (28 years), a Maradona fan, told AFP: "I cannot believe it. It is unbelievable. One thinks that a person is going through any storm, but no, no one is immortal."
Many of the banners also carried the slogan "Dios" written with the number 10, which means "God" in Spanish.
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