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Thursday, March 28, 2024

Maradona dead at 60

Argentinian football god, Diego Maradona, has died of a heart attack at age 60.

The nation’s president, Alberto Fernandez, immediately announced a three day mourning period in the South American country, as tributes flowed for the soccer legend.

The 60-year-old had undergone brain surgery earlier this month and reportedly suffered a health setback on Wednesday.

At the time of his death he was being treated by doctors at his home in 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.

Maradona’s became a global football icon after leading Argentina – a team he had debuted for at the age of just 16 – to the 1986 World Cup. But his efforts off the field were to become just as memorable as he struggled with obesity and an addiction to cocaine.

“I have two dreams,” Maradona told Argentine television at the age of 17.

“My first dream is to play in the World Cup. And the second dream is to win it.”

And it was a dream that was to come true.

Maradona played for some of the biggest clubs in the world, including Barcelona and Napoli, as well as captaining the Argentina national team, where he led them to glory at the 1986 World Cup.

In the years after his football career on the field, he had several brief and unsuccessful stints managing clubs in Argentina, the United Arab Emirates and Mexico, and also two years as Argentina coach.

In 2000, FIFA ran an online Player of the Century poll – with Maradona gaining 54% of the vote, and Pele placing second with 18%.

Maradona is survived by his ex-wife, Claudia Villafane – the couple married in 1989 and divorced in 2004 – and daughters, Dalma and Gianinna, and son, Diego Junior.

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