“I have two dreams. My first dream is to play in the World Cup and the second dream is to win it.”
Diego Armando Maradona, one of the world’s greatest and legendery soccer player is no more. His death news came as a shock to millions of his admirers, contemporaries and fans across the globe. Regarded as the greatest of all time in the game of football, Maradona had became a household name and inspiration for millions after leading his team Argentina to victory in the 1986 World Cup. The 60 year old footballer succumbed to a heart failure and passed away at midday local time at his house in Buenos Aires, the Argentinian authorities confirmed. His last words were “I feel sick” to his nephew before retiring to bed again. Reportedly, he had a brain surgery two weeks back for a blood clot.
Diego Maradona was born on 30 October 1960 in Lanus, Buenos Aires and was devoted to the game from an early age. In 1976, he had made his professional debut for Argentinos Juniors and became the youngest player in the history of Argentine Primera Division. Since then, there was no looking back and he went onto becoming the golden kid of soccer. He had played his first World Cup in 1982 for Spain and captained the Argentine national team to victory in the 1986 World Cup. In the same year, he had received the FIFA World Cup Golden Ball and in 1987 was awarded Milliyet Sports Award for World Athlete of the Year.
“I am black or white. I’ll never be grey in my life.”
From the highest glory to the lowest taints, Maradona’s life was a testimony to both as he lived a life of roller coaster. While he was a shining star on the pitch, his life was also marked by numerous controversies off it. An alcoholic and a drug addict, he had also received a15-month ban from the game back in 1991.
Global sports fraternity and prominent personalities have expressed their grief and poured in their condolence tributes. The internet is flooded with tweets, retweets and tribute messages from fans, contemporaries and admirers all over the globe over the demise of the Argentinian footballer. Cristiano Ronaldo has penned down an emotional tribute on his twitter handle. “Today I say goodbye to an eternal genius…Rest in peace, ace. You will never be forgotten.” he tweeted. Pele, another dazzling footballer tweeted: “I have lost a great friend and the world lost a legend…One day, I hope, we will play football together in heaven.” Former Indian Captain, Sourav Ganguly expressed, “My hero no more..my mad genius rest in peace.. I watched football for you..”
“Diego is a symbol of being Argentinian. He is someone that made us very happy.” Mariano Jeijer was caught saying.
As a heartfelt tribute, Argentina’s President Alberto Fernandez has ordered a decree of three day national mourning. He further offered the Presidential Palace, Casa Rosada for the funeral of the legendery footballer. Argentina is mourning. The world is grieving. The genius is gone.
