Diego Armando Maradona was a maestro of football, who attracted massive global popularity. The 60-year-old Argentina’s World Cup-winning footballer died of a cardiac arrest on Wednesday.
Maradona was hospitalised as he complained of being fatigued frequently. His tests at the La Plata hospital showed a blood clot in the brain, which was operated successfully after doctors revealed it.
Maradona’s spokesman, Sebastian Sanchi, reported he passed away at his home in Tigre, north of Argentina’s capital Buenos Aires. Maradona was also discharged from the hospital. But in the early hours of Wednesday, he suffered cardiac arrest, and paramedics failed to revive him.
They entire Indian film industry that include Abhishek Bachchan, SRK, Rahul Dev, Prithvi Raj, Ranveer Singh, Mohanlal among others and legends from cricketing fraternity like Sachin Tendulkar, Saurav Ganguly and Sehwag among others paid their greatest tribute to the iconic personality.
Football and the world of sports has lost one of its greatest players today. Rest in Peace Diego Maradona! You shall be missed,” tweeted Sachin Tendulkar. The BCCI president shared he was the greatest fan of football. He hailed late Diego as his hero and wished his soul rest in peace.
PM Narendra Modi shared his deep condolences over the demise of football legend. Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant too grieved his death. While Science and Technology minister of Goa, Michael Lobo on Wednesday assured that he will all by himself install a life-size statue of football icon Diego Maradona in his personal capacity in the coastal belt of North district.
Napoli stadium announced that ‘San Paolo’ will be re-named in honour of Diego Armando Maradona.
Maradona made his professional debut for Argentinos Juniors in October 1976, 10 days ahead of his 16th birthday. He made his full international debut four months later but was dropped from the Argentina squad for the 1978 World Cup as coach Cesar Luis Menotti felt he was not ready.
He then guided Argentina for 1986 World Cup victory. Maradona soon gained a reputation as gifted dribbler whose vision, balance and ball control outshined his peers.
Throughout his career, he gave us some of the best sporting moments on the football field. What’s more Maradona remained as a trail blazer setting a big milestone and as a perfect archetype for young aspiring footballers. He drowned us all in melancholy with his sudden demise but will remain etched in innumerable hearts.