Dhe world mourns the loss of football legend Diego Armando Maradona. The Argentine died on Wednesday at the age of 60. His spokesman said he died of cardiac arrest.
The Argentine government proclaimed a three-day state mourning, and messages of sadness and recognition came from all over the world. Uefa responded with a minute’s silence before all European Cup games on Wednesday and Thursday.
Brazil’s football legend Pelé: “What sad news. I’ve lost a great friend and the world has lost a legend, “wrote the 80-year-old on Twitter. “There is still a lot to be said, but for now may God give strength to the relatives. I hope one day we can play soccer together in heaven. ”Pelé and Maradona were among the best soccer players of all time. While their relationship was initially characterized by competition, they later became good friends.
Rudi Völler: “Diego Maradona’s death affects me very much. He was my year, we were often opponents at world championships and in Italy. A wonderful player. His early death is a severe blow to football and Diego’s family. “
UN spokesman Farhan Haq: “I think I speak for many when I say that it sometimes seemed as if he was touched by the hand of God.” Haq praised Maradona’s work as a UN ambassador of honor and called the news of his death “very sad”.
Cristiano Ronaldo: “Today I’m saying goodbye to a friend. And the world says goodbye to an eternal genius. One of the best ever. An incomparable magician. It leaves far too soon, but it leaves a limitless legacy and a void that will never be filled. Rest in peace, football crack. You will never be forgotten. “
Lionel Messi: “A very sad day for all Argentinians and for football. He’s leaving us, but he’s not going away because Diego is eternal. I keep in memory all the beautiful moments that I had with him. My condolences to all his family and friends. Rest in peace.”
Bavaria’s CEO Karl-Heinz Rummenigge: “With Diego Maradona one of the greatest footballers in history has passed away. FC Bayern mourns with its relatives, with its home country Argentina and all its fans. I had the honor of playing against him: three years in Serie A and with the German national team in the 1986 World Cup final. I’m proud to have seen him on the pitch. Diego Maradona won everything there was to win – and not least the hearts of everyone who loves the beauty of football. “
Jerome Boateng: “A sad day for the football world. One of the defining faces in the history of the game. We will all miss you. Rest in peace, Diego Maradona. “
Gary Lineker (Ex-national striker from England): “By far the best player of my generation and arguably the greatest of all time. Hopefully after a blessed but troubled life he will eventually find some comfort in the hands of God. “
Uefa chief Alexander Ceferin: “I am deeply sad. I only had contact with him recently to wish him well and this news comes as a major shock to me. Maradona was a wonderful player with a genius and charisma of his own. A hero in his native Argentina, he became an eternal idol for Napoli’s supporters, who will never forget the successes he achieved for the club during his memorable time in Italy. With his brilliance and his skill, Maradona has impressed young and old fans. “
SSC Naples: “Forever in our hearts. Ciao Diego. “
Luigi de Magistris (Naples Mayor): “Diego Armando Maradona, the greatest footballer of all time, is dead. Diego made our people dream, he liberated Naples with his genius. In 2017 he became our honorary citizen. Diego, Neapolitans and Argentinians, you gave us joy and happiness. Naples loves you. “
Boca Juniors aus Buenos Aires: “Eternal gratitude. Eternal Diego! “
Hans-Peter Briegel (former German national player on the internet portal t-online): “I’m upset that his life is ending so early. Not only was he a world-class footballer, but he was also a fair opponent. Until 2004 he sent me Christmas cards on a regular basis and wished me a happy new year. “
Kylian Mbappe (National player from France): “RIP legend. You will stay in football history forever. Thank you for all the joy you have given the whole world. “
Jadon Sancho (National player from England): “Rest in peace for a great man. Condolences to the family. I never met Diego, but as a kid I always saw him on Youtube and he definitely inspired me. “
Franck Ribéry (former French international): Terrible to hear about the loss of a true football legend. But legends NEVER die. God give you peace. Ciao Diego. “
Guido Buchwald (former German national player in the sports buzzer): “I am shocked. The football world has lost one of its greatest. After our careers ended, I always followed his life from afar. He always had ups and downs and, unfortunately, health problems too. At last you heard that he should be better again. So I am very shaken. I last saw him in 2002 at the World Cup in Japan. “
Antonio Conte (Inter Milan coach): “The whole world mourns the loss of Maradona, who wrote unforgettable pages in football history with his incomparable talent. Do well eternal champion. “
Martha (multiple world football player from Brazil): “We are losing a god on the ball. A historical legend that has inspired us all.”
Tennis star Rafael Nadal: “Today the world of sport in general, and football in particular, is empty. #Maradona was one of the greatest athletes in history. What he did in football remains. My condolences to his family, the world of football and all of Argentina. “
Andrea Pirlo (Ex-national player from Italy): “The god of football is leaving. Thanks for everything, Diego. “
Herbert Prohaska (Austria’s footballer of the century on ORF): “In my time, Naples played against relegation, with Maradona Naples won two championships. And he made Argentina the world champion, an incredible player. You just admired him as an opponent. He was a player who could do everything, a genius. “
Reuven Rivlin (Israeli President): “Maradona, the wonderful artist of football who brought light and joy to millions around the globe, is no more. A football legend whose story we will tell over and over again. … Thank you for all the unforgettable moments, in sadness and joy, for the moments of hope and pure joy that you have brought to the millions in the world. I send my condolences to the people of Argentina and the football fans for everything on this sad evening. “
Pedro Sánchez (Prime Minister of Spain): “All my affection for the world of football, which today has lost one of its greatest legends. One of the best football players in history, the Argentine Diego Armando Maradona, has passed away. With your left foot you have drawn the dreams of many generations. You’re forever, boy. “
Borussia Monchengladbach: “Borussia and the football world mourn Diego Maradona.”
Gladbach’s sports director Max Eberl: “I never got to know Diego Maradona personally – as one of the greatest footballers of all time, he has been with me, like so many, since I was a child, he made us all enjoy football.”
Mesut Özil (former German national player): “Very sad news. One of the best number 10s the world has ever seen has passed away. You will be missed, legend. Rest in peace”
Inter Milan: “Every era has a big number 10, but very few have determined an era. Maradona wasn’t just a great adversary, he was the greatest. Bye, Diego. “
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