The Death of Argentinian Football Legend Maradona

By: N. Elmôr

Diego Maradona, the beloved Argentinian football player, widely regarded as one of the greatest players of all time, passed away at the age of 60 on the 25th of November from a heart attack.

Maradona was born on the 30th of October 1960 in Lanús Argentina and began his professional career in Argentinos Juniors just before his 16th birthday. Throughout his lengthy career he undeniably left a significant mark in the history of football and for his talent was nicknamed “El Pibe de Oro” (“The Golden Boy”). Maradona was one of the joint winners, along with Pelé, of the FIFA Player of the 20th Century award and played with the famous number 10 jersey.

During his club career, Maradona played most famously for Barcelona (1982-84) and Napoli (1984-91) where he received much recognition and countless awards. He of course also played for the Argentinian national football team, participating in four world cups (from 1982- 1994), and winning the 1986 cups where he scored what was voted as the ‘Goal of the Century’.

The football legend’s passing came with great sadness to fans all over the world and since there have been many tributes for Maradona across the world of football.

Lionel Messi, a significant figure in football who is also Argentinian, honoured Maradona during a match against Osasuna on Sunday the 29th where he took off his Barcelona jersey revealing a Newell’s Old Boys shirt. Maradona played for Newell’s at the end of his career. Nonetheless, this touching tribute was against the rules of the Royal Spanish Football Federation who fined Barcelona £2,700. Still, Barcelona manager Ronald Koeman congratulated Messi saying it was “a great moment in every way”.