DIEGO Maradona - widely regarded as one of the greatest footballers of all time - has died.
The Argentine great, who captained his country to victory in the 1986 World Cup, had successful surgery on a blood clot in his brain earlier this month but the Argentinina Football Association have confirmed he has passed away aged 60.
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."
Maradona is widely regarded as one of the greatest footballers of all time and was the inspiration for Argentina's World Cup success in Mexico in 1986. He also led the country to the final of the 1990 tournament in Italy and managed them in South Africa in 2010.
Maradona's successes made him a global star and a national hero in Argentina but his career was also blighted by controversies on and off the field.
His 'Hand of God'' goal against England in the 1986 quarter-finals, when he pushed the ball into the net with his hand, earned him infamy - although he followed up by scoring the "goal of the century", a remarkable solo effort, in the same game.
His international playing career ended in shame when he failed a drugs test at the 1994 World Cup in the United States and he was notorious for a wayward lifestyle throughout his life. He was also banned from football in 1991 after testing positive for cocaine while playing for Napoli.
However, he remained a revered figure at the Italian club, where he won two Serie A titles.
He also played for Barcelona, Sevilla, Boca Juniors and Newell's Old Boys and was most recently manager of Gimnasia y Esgrima in La Plata, Argentina.
Gary Lineker, who played in the England side in that quarter-final defeat, 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"
Former Spain goalkeeper and fellow World Cup winner Iker Casillas tweeted: that it was a "sad day for football", describing Maradona as a "genius of this sport".
Asif Kapadia, who directed the 2019 film Maradona, tweeted: "Can't quite believe DM has gone. Hard to process.
"He always seemed indestructible. I had 10 hours with the man!! I touched his left foot. We did our best to show the world the man, the myth, the fighter he was. The greatest."
Boca Juniors, where Maradona made his name before securing a then world-record transfer to Barcelona, tweeted: "Eternal thanks. Eternal Diego."
MORE REACTION:
Maradona made me cry for days in 1986 but I have spent plenty of time since then appreciating his outrageous talent.
— Dan Walker (@mrdanwalker) November 25, 2020
A troubled genius.
So sad to hear about his death at the age of 60.
What a gift... pic.twitter.com/Y1FkRlNK5Z
One of the greatest.
— Wembley Stadium (@wembleystadium) November 25, 2020
Rest in peace, Diego Maradona. pic.twitter.com/DOSNH2bDzN
The best of the best 🐐
— BenchWarmers (@BeWarmers) November 25, 2020
He made it look so easy ⚽️pic.twitter.com/L2kNY3Giht
Brilliant https://t.co/wGgHXHSjnI
— Jonathan Davies OBE (@JiffyRugby) November 25, 2020
Diego Maradona was without a shadow of a doubt the greatest footballer I have seen in my lifetime.
— Andy (@yorkshiregunner) November 25, 2020
No time for the man but my lord what a player.
To paraphrase another legend, he may not have been the greatest of all time but he was in the top 1.#RipMaradona
Simply one of the best ever #RipDiegoMaradona 💔💙💚⚽ https://t.co/p76Beyo4Zs
— Northwich Victoria FC (@NorthwichVicsFC) November 25, 2020
RIP... Diego 🖤🖤🖤 pic.twitter.com/HdmL5c0uA4
— Winsford United FC (@WinsfordUnited) November 25, 2020
What football fans have been saying on our Facebook pages after we asked if Maradona was the greatest of all time:
Jon Davis: Yes he was.
Danny Hodgson: No. Remi Moses never let him have a kick. Old Trafford 84
Ste Welsby: Was a great footballer but the best is to be dabated
Steve Cullen: Without a doubt
Neil Baker: One of the best. But THE best? Debatable.
Andrew Daniels: Best Pele and Maradona all 3 the greatest ever
Dot Moore: Pele for me
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