Argentina football legend Diego Maradona has died of a heart attack at age 60, his lawyer has confirmed.
Key points:
- Diego Armando Maradona, 60, died of a heart attack at his home near Buenos Aires on Wednesday
- He was known as one of the greatest footballers ever, winning the 1986 World Cup with Argentina
- His career and post-football life was marred by drug addiction and health issues
The former midfielder and national coach had recently battled health problems and underwent successful surgery earlier this month for a blood clot on his brain.
He suffered a heart attack at his home on the outskirts of Buenos Aires on Wednesday, Argentinian media and acquaintances of the former player said.
He famously captained Argentina to victory at the 1986 World Cup in Mexico, winning the Golden Ball as best player of the tournament.
The tournament also featured his infamous ‘Hand of God’ goal against England in the quarter-finals.
Loading…
Although his reputation was tarnished by drug problems, off-field indiscretions and an ill-fated spell in charge of the national team, he remained idolised in soccer-mad Argentina as the ‘Pibe de Oro’ or ‘Golden Boy’.
Hospitalised and reportedly near death in 2000 and again in 2004 for heart problems blamed on cocaine, Maradona later said he overcame the drug problem.
Cocaine, he once said famously, had proven to be his “toughest rival”.
Argentine President Alberto Fernandez declared three days of national mourning after the news of Maradona’s death.
Brazilian football legend Pele, rated alongside Maradona as one of the greatest ever to play the game, was among those to mourn the Argentine.
Loading
“Certainly, one day we’ll kick a ball together in the sky above,” he said in a brief statement.
More to come.