2024-07-03 12:36:05
His death has sparked reactions from all sides, all unanimous in saluting the memory of this outstanding genius, considered one of the greatest players in history.
“What sad news. I have lost a great friend and the world has lost a legend. There is much to say, but for now, may God give strength to his loved ones. I hope that one day we can play together in heaven,” wrote Pelé, his Brazilian rival, on Instagram.
Argentina’s star striker Lionel Messi also spoke out about the death of the team’s iconic number 10. “A very sad day for all Argentines and for football. He leaves us but he doesn’t go away, because Diego is eternal. I keep all the beautiful moments I had with him inside me,” he wrote on Twitter.
“Farewell, Diego. You will be eternal in all the hearts of the football planet,” can be read on the Twitter account of the Argentine national team.
For his part, Argentine President Alberto Fernandez tweeted: “You took us to the roof of the world. You made us immensely happy. You were the greatest of all. Thank you for existing, Diego. We will miss you for our entire lives.”
FIFA President Gianni Infantino on Wednesday night paid tribute to the “unique”, “immense” player that was Diego Maradona, saying the Argentine legend deserved the “eternal gratitude” of football fans.
“What Diego did for football, to make us all fall in love with this wonderful sport, is unique. It is, just like him, simply immense. Diego deserves our eternal gratitude for that,” the world football boss said in a statement.
UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin wrote on Twitter: “I am deeply saddened to learn of the death of Diego Maradona, one of the greatest and most iconic figures in world football. He achieved glory as an excellent player, with a genius and charisma all his own.”
“Farewell to a great. You were a troubled soul, but you delighted the whole world with your unique football skills. Rest in peace,” tweeted the president of the International Olympic Committee, Thomas Bach.
Former FIFA president Sepp Blatter described the passing of one of the greatest footballers of our time as “sad”. “He left his mark on the World Cup in Mexico with Argentina’s victory and the hand of God, which he has now found again.”
Gary Lineker, his opponent in the famous Argentina-England match at the 1986 World Cup, said on Twitter that Maradona was “by far the best player of my generation and perhaps the greatest of all time. After a blessed but tormented life, let’s hope he finally finds comfort in the hands of God.”
“It’s our past that is going away” with the death of the legend Diego Maradona on Wednesday, reacted Michel Platini, rival of the Argentinian in the 80s in the Italian Championship.
“I am very sad. I am nostalgic for a time that was beautiful… Cruyff, Di Stefano, Puskas, many great players who marked my youth have left. Diego marked my life,” declared the former number 10 of the French team and Juventus.
His former Italian club SSC Napoli wrote: “What words can we use to express pain like the one we feel? For now, it is time for tears, then will come the time for words.”
“Thank you for everything, Diego. (…) Condolences for the death of Diego Armando Maradona, player of our club (1982-84) and icon of world football. Rest in peace, Diego”, laments the Twitter account of FC Barcelona.
Cristiano Ronaldo, the five-time Portuguese Ballon d’Or winner, noted that “Today I say goodbye to a friend and the world says goodbye to an eternal genius. One of the best of all time. An incomparable magician. He leaves too soon, but leaves a limitless legacy and a void that will never be filled.”
Rafael Nadal, world number 2 in tennis, tweeted: “Today the world of sport in general and football in particular feel a void. Maradona, one of the greatest sportsmen in history, has left us. What remains of him is what he did in football.”
“RIP Legend. You will forever remain in the history of football. Thank you for all the pleasure you gave to the whole world,” reacted PSG striker Kylian Mbappé.
Maradona died of cardiac arrest in the suburbs of Buenos Aires while recovering at home from surgery for a head hematoma in early November.
2024-07-03 12:36:05