Diego Maradona dies due to cardiac arrest: A full tribute- Hasta Siempre

Diego Armando Maradona has passed away at age 60 due to cardiac arrest. Maradona is a true legend. His touch, technique and off-the-field antics have made fans, across the world, adore him.

The former Napoli player has been struggling with a drug and alcohol addiction since his playing-days. In 2004, He was hospitalized with heart and respiratory issues and found himself in hospital again in January 2019 with internal bleeding in the stomach. Recently, in November 2020 he underwent brain surgery after the discovery of a blood clot.

Born in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Maradona burst onto the scene as a young, feisty, skillful forward. He made his debut with Argentinos Juniors scoring 116 goals in 166 appearances and earning himself a move to Boca Juniors where he won the league in the single season he was there.

Moving to Europe with Barcelona 1982 for 5 Million Pounds, his footballing genius was so apparent he became the first Barcelona player to be applauded by Real Madrid fans after a spectacular solo goal in the El Clásico. However, Maradona experienced many health issues alongside xenophobic abuse. In true Maradona fashion, he lost his temper and forced Barcelona to sell him to Napoli for 6.9 Million Pounds. He became the first player to break the world record transfer fee twice.

Maradona was regarded as somewhat of a god in Naples. He helped the club to two Serie A titles and the UEFA Cup, went on to become Napoli's all-time top goalscorer and had the club retire the number 10 shirt following his departure. He took Napoli from one of Serie A’s worst teams to a true Italian powerhouse.

Despite his on the pitch success, he battled a cocaine addiction and was heavily associated with the Italian mafia. This was a major factor of his downfall and would subsequently carry on for much of his life. He ended his career in 1998 and moved into management.

His international career brought along major success as well. He cemented himself as one of the best players of Argentine football alongside Alfredo Di Stefano and Lionel Messi. It brought with it captaincy of the national team, a world cup in 1986 and the infamous “Hand of God” against England.

He served as manager of Textil Mandiyú and Racing Club in the mid-1990s while still playing. Argentina appointed him as head coach in 2008 and he took them to the Quarter-Finals of the 2010 FiFA World Cup where they lost to Germany 4-0.

Maradona then took offers from Al-Wasl and Fujairah in the United Arab Emirates before returning to South America to coach Mexican outfit Dorados from September 2018 to June 2019. From September 2019 he was in charge of Argentinian club Gimnasia.

There are too many great things to say about Maradona’s career that I could not mention. The whole football world mourns his unexpected death. The whole football world has come together, united, to pay tribute to one of the greatest players the world will ever have the luxury of watching. Boca Juniors, Barcelona and Napoli have all come forward on social media to thank Maradona. Pelé, Cristiano Ronaldo, Kylian Mbappe, Marcus Rashford and Lionel Messi have all sent messages of respect and condolence to Maradona.

A magician, Maradona had a special way to control the ball, seemingly making it stick to his feet, his quick, agile body and tenacious, energetic persona brought him out from one of Buenos Aires’ poorest to world stardom. He dies an iconic figure who will never be forgotten for his affect on the game and controversial antics. He brought joy to the millions watching and pride to his country and countless more to the game of football.

Hasta siempre, Diego.

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