By Andrew Warshaw
November 26 – From the Pope to FIFA to current and ex-managers and players, and three days of national mourning in his native Argentina.
The flawed genius that was Diego Maradona has drawn tributes from across the footballing world and beyond following his death, aged 60, from a heart attack on Wednesday.
Although his reputation was characterised by an excessive, drug-fuelled lifestyle off the pitch and, on it, the infamous Hand of God goal in the 1986 World Cup against England for which he never apologised, Maradona was idolised by almost everyone who saw him play during a career that captivated the footballing world and placed him in the pantheon of all-time greats.
His second goal against England in 1986, when he spectacularly dribbled past four bamboozled opponents, is regarded as possibly the greatest goal in World Cup history.
Maradona, who rose from back-street poverty to worldwide fame and fortune, suffered frequent periods of ill-health over the years, often put down to his extravagant conduct and allowing his status to go to his head. On more than one occasion he narrowly escaped death.
Back in 1994, he was sent home in disgrace from the World Cup in the United States after failing a drugs test – three years after being banned for 15 months for failing another. But he will always be remembered for his sublime individual skills and low centre of gravity that made him a world superstar.
He made less of an impact when appointed to manage his national team in 2008, exiting the World Cup at the quarterfinal stage two years later in South Africa.
But his legacy on the pitch will never been forgotten, both at national level and with Boca Juniors and the two European clubs where he made such a name for himself, Barcelona and Napoli, the latter of which he almost single-handedly led to the Italian title after years of relative anonymity.
“You took us to the top of the world,” Argentine President Alfredo Fernández said on social media as he declared a period of national mourning. “You made us incredibly happy. You were the greatest of all.”
Pope Francis, an Argentine and avid football fan, was remembering Maradona in his prayers, the Vatican said
The official Vatican News website ran a story of Maradona’s death on its front page describing him as “an extraordinary player but a fragile man,” a reference to his struggle with drugs.
FIFA president Gianni Infantino and UEFA boss Aleksander Ceferin also paid tribute as did compatriot Lionel Messi, with whom Maradona has often been compared.
More realistic comparisons have long been made with Pele, his great rival, vthe Brazilian saying he had lost “a dear friend”.
“There is much more to say, but for now may God give his family strength,” Pelé added. “One day, I hope, we will play soccer together in the sky.”
Perhaps the most poignant message came from Napoli, the club where Maradona played for seven years.
“Everyone is waiting for our words but what words could we possibly use for a pain such as this that we are going through? Now is the moment for tears. Then there will be the moment for words.
“We are in mourning. We feel like a boxer who has been knocked out. We are in shock. A devastating blow for both city and club. Always in our hearts. Ciao Diego.”
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