‘Football has lost one of its greatest’ — tributes pour in for Maradona

Pele, Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi are among those who have taken to social media to pay tributes to Diego Maradona, ex-Argentine football legend, who passed away at 60.

The football icon, best known for leading Argentina to victory in the 1986 World Cup in Mexico, breathed his last on Wednesday at his home after suffering a cardiac arrest.

The tragic news comes barely a few weeks after the former Napoli and Barcelona star had undergone a major operation to remove a blood clot from his brain.

Maradona, widely considered one of the greatest players of all-time, left a huge mark on the field of play.

It is understood that UEFA allowed a minute’s silence at all of Wednesday night’s Champions League matches in memory of the late footballer.

The UEFA Champions League pays tribute to Diego Maradona. pic.twitter.com/yQvmR1qTHb

— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) November 25, 2020

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Giuseppe Conte, president of Argentina, also declared three-day mourning in the country in honour of the football legend.

Tributes have been pouring in from football fans, top players, clubs, national teams as words of his demise spread.

Pele, who is widely regarded as the greatest player of all time, took to his Twitter page to mourn the late football legend.

“What sad news. I lost a great friend and the world lost a legend. There is still much to be said, but for now, may God give strength to family members. One day, I hope we can play ball together in the sky,” Pele wrote.

Que notícia triste. Eu perdi um grande amigo e o mundo perdeu uma lenda. Ainda há muito a ser dito, mas por agora, que Deus dê força para os familiares. Um dia, eu espero que possamos jogar bola juntos no céu. pic.twitter.com/6Li76HTikA

— Pelé (@Pele) November 25, 2020

In the same vein, Boca Juniors, where Maradona made his name before securing a then world-record transfer to Barcelona, wrote: “Eternal thanks. Eternal Diego.”

Eternas gracias. Eterno Diego. pic.twitter.com/SZVNOJnZ1j

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— Boca Juniors (@BocaJrsOficial) November 25, 2020

See more tributes below:

Privileged to have met him. Very sad news. RIP Diego Maradona. pic.twitter.com/x2LcIeQPqr

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— Harry Kane (@HKane) November 25, 2020

Legendary 💔 pic.twitter.com/BRd5oAXV9S

— Marcus Rashford (@MarcusRashford) November 25, 2020

Football and the world of sports has lost one of its greatest players today.
Rest in Peace Diego Maradona!
You shall be missed. pic.twitter.com/QxhuROZ5a5

— Sachin Tendulkar (@sachin_rt) November 25, 2020

Hoje despeço-me de um amigo e o Mundo despede-se de um génio eterno. Um dos melhores de todos os tempos. Um mágico inigualável. Parte demasiado cedo, mas deixa um legado sem limites e um vazio que jamais será preenchido. Descansa em paz, craque. Nunca serás esquecido.🙏🏽 pic.twitter.com/WTS21uxmdL

— Cristiano Ronaldo (@Cristiano) November 25, 2020

Il mondo intero piange la scomparsa di #Maradona, che con il suo talento ineguagliabile ha scritto pagine indimenticabili della storia del calcio. Addio eterno campione. pic.twitter.com/nhNo1ySjdp

— Giuseppe Conte (@GiuseppeConteIT) November 25, 2020

Tutti si aspettano le nostre parole. Ma quali parole possiamo usare per un dolore come quello che stiamo vivendo? Ora è il momento delle lacrime. Poi ci sarà il momento delle parole.
Diego 💙 pic.twitter.com/mjwhrSczPG

— Official SSC Napoli (@sscnapoli) November 25, 2020

Reports from Argentina that Diego Armando Maradona has died. By some distance the best player of my generation and arguably the greatest of all time. After a blessed but troubled life, hopefully he’ll finally find some comfort in the hands of God. #RipDiego

— Gary Lineker (@GaryLineker) November 25, 2020

We're joining the footballing world in saying farewell to one of the absolute greats.

RIP Diego Maradona 💙 pic.twitter.com/n16SGF3KXn

— Manchester City (@ManCity) November 25, 2020

Football has lost one of its greatest icons.

Rest in peace, Diego Maradona. pic.twitter.com/uGIinhLDgf

— Manchester United (@ManUtd) November 25, 2020

A highlight of my career being able to have met Maradona. A true great and another legend gone too soon. 🥲💔#Maradona #rip pic.twitter.com/Dvs8Hqgfze

— Carli Lloyd (@CarliLloyd) November 25, 2020

By far the best I ever saw growing up, and arguably the greatest ever #RipDiego #Maradona #10 pic.twitter.com/OM9RhAFFvU

— Robbie Fowler (@Robbie9Fowler) November 25, 2020

“I am Maradona, who makes goals, who makes mistakes. I can take it all, I have shoulders big enough to fight with everybody.” “When God decides its time, I guess he'll come for us.”
RIP legend Diego Maradona pic.twitter.com/Q2JYy4EZf9

— Faridah Nakazibwe (@fsnakazibwe) November 25, 2020

https://twitter.com/stuholden/status/1331657235395608578?s=01

German football mourns the death of Diego Maradona. Rest in peace! 🙏🇦🇷 https://t.co/eN4Avm4gQF pic.twitter.com/Qcd3wYypU7

— German Football (@DFB_Team_EN) November 25, 2020

One of the greatest footballers to ever play the game 🇦🇷

Rest in Peace, Diego Maradona 🕯️ pic.twitter.com/YVqxxbjVyi

— FIFA Museum (@FIFAMuseum) November 25, 2020

The iconic Number 10. Even with the hand of god in 86, I had you on my bedroom wall throughout my whole childhood as I was in awe of your mesmerising ability. Rest in Peace Diego Maradona. pic.twitter.com/YWq0LtPW9t

— James Maddison (@Madders10) November 25, 2020

A legendary icon of football 💔

Flashback to when he played for the great Al-Ahli in our golden jubilee match#Maradona pic.twitter.com/9UQ2iKQUiE

— Al-Ahli Saudi Club (@ALAHLI_FCEN) November 25, 2020

My favourite image of Maradona. You simply never took your eyes off him. Vale to an absolute icon. pic.twitter.com/nUzCE0NXqi

— Steve Smith (@stevesmithffx) November 25, 2020

For Maradona, from the @CruijffArenA.#UCL #ajamid https://t.co/IsXfN8nuQh pic.twitter.com/GVkBhOR4FN

— AFC Ajax (@AFCAjax) November 25, 2020

https://twitter.com/rawan/status/1331659243393585152

 

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