FOOTBALL legend Diego Maradona has died aged 60.
The former Argentina forward suffered a cardiac arrest in his home in Tigre, Argentina.
Diego Maradona has died aged 60, reports claim[/caption]
Maradona shakeshands with his doctor Leopoldo Luque in Buenos Aires after recieving surgery for a bleed on the brain[/caption]
His death comes two weeks after surgery following a bleed on the brain.
Maradona has suffered a long battle with his health with numerous trips to hospital as he turned 60 last month.
The footie legend had spent eight days on a ward after he was admitted for an emergency operation for a blood clot on the brain.
His lawyer Matias Morla described it as a “miracle” he was still alive just two weeks ago and described the surgery as the “most difficult moment of his life”.
Maradona’s ex-girlfriend insisted shortly before his subdural haematoma was discovered that he needed urgent treatment for his ‘real problem’ – alcohol addiction.
Rocio Oliva spent six years with the recovering drug addict and came close to marrying him before their split at the end of 2018.
LEGEND DEAD
Last November, the former footballer was forced to deny he was dying in an extraordinary video address to fans after his daughter Gianinna hinted he was being “killed from inside” with sedatives.
He also told his growing brood of children he will leave them nothing after his death because he will donate his fortune to charity.
In a video filmed from what appeared to be his home in Argentina, Maradona, said: “What I do know is that as you get older, people worry more about what you’re going to leave than what you’re doing.
“I tell you all that I’m not going to leave anything, that I am going to donate it.
“I’m not going to give away everything I earned by running during my life, I’m going to donate it.”
‘HAND OF GOD’
Maradona won the World Cup with Argentina in 1986 and became notorious for his ‘Hand of God’ goal against England.
The Argentinian started his career at Boca Juniors before moving to Barcelona where he won the Copa del Rey trophy.
But he became a hero in Naples inspiring Napoli to two Serie A titles in the late 1980s.
His career also saw a spell in Spain with Sevilla before going back to Argentina with Newell’s Old Boys and Boca.
By some distance the best player of my generation and arguably the greatest of all time.
Gary Lineker
Maradona is widely regarded as one of the greatest footballers of all time and was the inspiration for Argentina’s success in ’86.
He also led the country to the final of the 1990 tournament in Italy and managed them in South Africa in 2010.
The AFA said on Twitter: “The Argentine Football Association, through its president Claudio Tapia, expresses its deepest sorrow for the death of our legend, Diego Armando Maradona.
“You will always be in our hearts.”
England captain Harry Kane said: “Privileged to have met him. Very sad news. RIP Diego Maradona.”
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Gary Lineker, who played in the England side beaten by Maradona in 86, tweeted: “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”
Maradona won the World Cup with Argentina in 1986 and became notorious for his ‘Hand of God’ goal against England[/caption]
Maradona winning the World Cup with Argentina in 1986[/caption]
Maradona was a hero in Naples inspiring Napoli to two Serie A titles[/caption]
