Argentina Places Deceased at Presidential Palace... Declares 3-Day National Mourning Period
Messi "Diego is Eternal"
Pele "Sad to Lose a Friend"
▲On the 25th (local time), fans of Diego Maradona, the legend of Argentine football, gathered outside the Diego Armando Maradona Stadium in the capital Buenos Aires to mourn his death. Buenos Aires (Argentina) = AFP United [Image source = AP Yonhap News]
[Asia Economy Reporter Kwon Jae-hee] Legendary Argentine footballer Diego Maradona passed away on the 25th (local time) due to a heart attack at the age of 60.
According to local Argentine media such as Clar?n, Maradona died at his home in Tigre, a suburb of the capital Buenos Aires, in the afternoon. He had undergone brain surgery on the 3rd due to a subdural hematoma caused by bleeding under the brain membrane and was discharged on the 11th, recovering at home. At that time, his attending physician stated that the surgery was successful.
Local media reported that nine ambulances arrived at the scene that day but were unable to revive Maradona's heart.
Maradona, who celebrated his 60th birthday on October 30th, received birthday congratulations before a match of the team he led, Gimnasia, which became his last public appearance.
Wearing the number 10 jersey, Maradona is considered one of the greatest football players in the world alongside Brazil's Pel?. Born in Buenos Aires Province, Argentina, in 1960, Maradona made his professional debut in 1976 with Argentinos Juniors. He later played for Argentina's Boca Juniors, Spain's FC Barcelona, and Italy's Napoli, among others.
Known for his dazzling dribbling and left-footed kicks, Maradona quickly donned the Argentina national team jersey. He played 91 A-match games and scored 34 goals. At the 1986 Mexico World Cup, he led Argentina to victory and became a national hero. Maradona was also named the tournament's MVP.
After retiring, he coached professional teams in Argentina, the Middle East, and Mexico. Since last year, he had been managing Argentina's Gimnasia La Plata.
The news of the football legend's death plunged the football world, including Argentina, into mourning. Argentine President Alberto Fern?ndez declared a three-day national mourning period. During this time, Maradona's body will lie in state at the presidential palace in Buenos Aires.
Lionel Messi (FC Barcelona), also from Argentina like Maradona, posted a photo of the late player on Twitter, bidding farewell with "Goodbye, legend." Messi wrote, "It is a very sad day for the Argentine people and the football world. He may have left us, but Diego is eternal."
Brazil's Pel?, also regarded as one of the greatest footballers worldwide alongside Maradona, expressed his condolences, saying, "I am sad to lose a friend," and "Surely, someday we will play ball together in heaven." Portuguese football star Cristiano Ronaldo (Juventus) also posted a photo with the late player on Twitter, writing, "Today I said goodbye to a friend, and the world said goodbye to an eternal genius."
Pope Francis, also from Argentina, expressed condolences on Maradona's passing. Vatican spokesperson Matteo Bruni said, "The Pope, upon hearing the news of Maradona's death, recalled the warm atmosphere when they met in recent years," and added, "The Pope prayed for him, especially during the times when Maradona's health was not good."
Teams that Maradona had been part of also expressed their condolences. The Argentina national team mourned the late player on Twitter, saying, "He will be eternal in the hearts of everyone in the football world." Napoli of Italy's Serie A, where Maradona played from 1984 to 1991, described the news of his death as a "huge shock" to both the city and the team and stated, "He will be eternal in our hearts." FC Barcelona, Maradona's team from 1982 to 1984, also mourned the passing of the "icon of world football." A moment of remembrance for Maradona is also planned before the UEFA Champions League match that day.
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
