Maradona: Reactions pour in after death of football legend at 60
There’s been an outpouring of tributes and grief from the world of football after news broke that Diego Maradona has died at the age of 60.
One of the first to react to the reports of Maradona’s passing, apparently by cardiac arrest, was Marcus Rashford. The Manchester United striker tweeted a picture of Maradona in an Argentina shirt with the simple caption: “Legendary” and a broken heart symbol.
Legendary 💔 pic.twitter.com/BRd5oAXV9S
— Marcus Rashford MBE (@MarcusRashford) November 25, 2020
Rashford was born after Maradona’s incredible playing career had finished – but the 1986 World Cup winner had an influence on a generation far beyond his own. Earlier this year, Rashford listed El Diego as one of his three greatest players of all time, alongside Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi.
Kylian Mbappe also paid tribute. The France and PSG ace summed up the feelings of many, when he tweeted:
“RIP Legend. You will stay in the history of football forever. Thanks you for all the pleasure you gave to the whole world.” Mbappe finished with a “F**cking 2020” which again sums up how many feel.
RIP Legend.
You will stay in the history of football forever. Thanks you for all the pleasure you gave to the whole world 🙌🏽🙏🏽❤️AÏE AÏE AÏE F*CKING 2020 😭😭😭 pic.twitter.com/8xc1CDKDg2
— Kylian Mbappé (@KMbappe) November 25, 2020
Gary Lineker, who played in the England side knocked out of the ’86 World Cup by Maradona’s Argentina, also posted a heartfelt tribute.
“Reports from Argentina that Diego Armando Maradona has died,” said Lineker on Twitter. “By some distance the best player of my generation and arguably the greatest of all time.
“After a blessed but troubled life, hopefully he’ll finally find some comfort in the hands of God. #RipDiego”
Reports from Argentina that Diego Armando Maradona has died. By some distance the best player of my generation and arguably the greatest of all time. After a blessed but troubled life, hopefully he’ll finally find some comfort in the hands of God. #RipDiego
— Gary Lineker (@GaryLineker) November 25, 2020
Another England striking great, Michael Owen, also paid his respects. “Quite simply – a player like no other,” tweeted Owen, above a picture of Diego holding the World Cup trophy aloft. “Rest In Peace Diego Maradona.”
Quite simply – a player like no other.
Rest In Peace Diego Maradona. pic.twitter.com/J5QM6Qm7e5— michael owen (@themichaelowen) November 25, 2020
Faustino Asprilla, the former Colombia striker, also paid warm tribute to a player who was beloved by many across South America.
“My dear friend, soccer hero, soccer icon, footballing legend,” tweeted Asprilla. “Rest in peace Diego Maradona, I will miss you eternally.”
My dear friend, Soccer Hero, Soccer Icon, Footballing Legend…
Rest In Peace Diego Maradona, i will miss you eternally. https://t.co/5Kiqt5KzgP— Faustino Asprilla (@TinoasprillaH) November 25, 2020
Naturally, the world’s biggest football clubs have been reacting too.
Per Sempre 💙
Ciao Diego pic.twitter.com/LzppqlBqLV— Official SSC Napoli (@sscnapoli) November 25, 2020
One of the very best to grace our game.
RIP Diego Maradona. pic.twitter.com/aucbDkZbML
— Everton (@Everton) November 25, 2020
A true great of the game.
Rest in peace, Diego Maradona. pic.twitter.com/jImGjnjhUl
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) November 25, 2020
Read Also: JUST-IN: Argentine legend Maradona dies of heart attack aged 60
Napoli, the club where Maradona spent seven years and led to numerous trophies including two Serie A titles and a UEFA Cup, tweeted in Italian: “Forever [heart]. Ciao Diego.”
Liverpool, Everton and Manchester United also posted tributes. Many more clubs and football stars can be expected to follow, as the news spreads that one of the true all-time greats of the game has sadly passed away.