Triumphant! Maradona exults after a goal. Photo: Wikimedia Commons.
Argentina’s soccer legend Diego Armando Maradona has reportedly died at the age of 60.
Together with Brazilian legend Pele, the two were without question the greatest soccer players of all time, both leading their nations to World Cup victories.
Pele has tweeted: “I lost a great friend and the world lost a legend.”
Argentinian president Alberto Fernández tweeted: “You made us immensely happy. You were the greatest of all.” There will be three days of national mourning.
Argentina lifted the World Cup trophy in 1986 in Mexico, beating what was then West Germany 3-2 in the final.
Maradona will forever be remembered for the “hand of God,” goal against England when the 5 feet 5 inches player jumped high to contest goalie Peter Shilton, and snuck the ball into the back of the net with his left hand. In those days there were no Television Replays to review such incidents and the goal stood. However, to erase any doubts that Argentina was the better team that day, Maradona scored one of the most spectacular goals in World Cup history—he waltzed past a half dozen English players before flicking the ball into the back of the net as he fell. This time with his foot.
Maradona could switch into top gear in seconds. One minute he could be trotting slowly on the field, and then sudden burst by defenders with sharp dribbles and speed before setting up a teammate, or scoring himself.
Maradona reportedly died of a heart attack. Off the pitch Maradona faced many challengers including cocaine addiction.
At one time when the drug seemed to be on the verge of taking his life, Maradona lived in Cuba, meeting Castro, and emerged many months later relatively cleansed and stronger. In 1994, he failed a drug test and was disqualified from the World Cup which was hosted by the United States that year.
