Argentine football legend, Diego Maradona has died of cardiac arrest, his spokesman confirmed on Wednesday.
Maradona died at the age of 60.
Renowned with Brazil’s Pele as one of the greatest footballers of all time, the Argentine World Cup-winning captain died of a heart attack, having undergone brain surgery earlier this month, a member of his entourage told AFP.
The former Napoli, FC Barcelona and Boca Juniors player had suffered frequent periods in hospital over the years, often due to the extravagant lifestyle which accompanied and followed his playing career.
He was admitted to hospital in January 2019 with internal bleeding in the stomach.
Maradona also fell ill at the 2018 World Cup in Russia, where he was filmed passing out in an executive box during the Argentina versus Nigeria game.
The football legend was taken into hospital in 2004 with severe heart and respiratory problems linked to cocaine use.
He later underwent drug rehabilitation in Cuba and Argentina before a stomach-stapling operation in 2005 helped him lose weight.
In 2007 he checked himself into a clinic in Buenos Aires to help him overcome alcohol abuse problems.
“The hand of God”
“Hand of God” was the phrase used by the late Argentine footballer Diego Maradona to describe a controversial goal he scored in Argentina v England during the 1986 FIFA World Cup. The goal took place on June 22, 1986, at the Azteca Stadium in Mexico City.
Under association football rules, Maradona should have received a yellow card for a clear “handball” incident and the goal disallowed.
However, as the referees did not have a clear view of the play and video assistant referee technology did not yet exist, the goal stood and Argentina led 1–0. The game ended with a 2–1 win for the Argentines, thanks to a second goal scored by Maradona, known as the “Goal of the Century”.
After the match, Diego Maradona stated that the goal was scored “a little with his head, and a little with the hand of God”.
Meanwhile, Argentine President Alberto Fernandez has announced Three days of national mourning in the South American country.
Shortly before the announcement that shocked the nation, Argentine media reported Maradona had suffered a serious health setback on Wednesday and was being treated by doctors at his home north of Buenos Aires.
“There are four ambulances at the door of the residence. They have summoned family members to come. It is serious,” the TyC Sports channel reported.
Diego Maradona Honours
FIFA World Cup – 1986
Two Serie A titles
UEFA Cup
Copa del Rey
Argentine Primera Division
Individual Honours:
FIFA Player of the Century
World Cup Golden Ball
FIFA Goal of the Century
259 goals in 491 matches
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