The Argentina soccer legend, Diego Maradona has died after suffering a heart attack at the age of 60.
The news of his death was confirmed by the Argentine Football Association who posted it on its social media platforms. A heart attack, also known as cardiac arrest is the result of electrical disturbances that cause the heart to suddenly stop beating.
It tweeted:
“The Argentine Football Association, through its President Claudio Tapia, expresses its deepest sorrow for the death of our legend, Diego Armando Maradona. You will always be in our hearts,” it tweeted.
He has always been regarded as one of the greatest players in the history of the game, Maradona became a household name after inspiring his country to World Cup glory in 1986.
He took center stage at the tournament with a memorable performance against England where he scored an iconic goal that he later described as the “Hand of God.”
The diminutive forward out-jumped legendary keeper Peter Shilton and punched the ball into the net. Despite the obvious handball, the goal was allowed to stand because the referee did not see the foul.
Later in the game, he scored one of the best goals in history after weaving his way past seven English defenders.
His glittering career was also marked by numerous controversies and his notorious lifestyle led to alcoholism and addiction.
Argentina’s President, Alberto Fernandez has announced three days of national mourning for the passing of the superstar and posted a tribute to Maradona on Twitter.
It read:
“You took us to the top of the world. You made us feel incredibly happy. You were the greatest of all. Thank you for having existed,” it read.
Meanwhile, the UEFA president Aleksander Čeferin said a minute’s silence would be observed ahead of all European matches this week in honor of the Argentine.
He added, “He will go down in history as someone who set football alight and thrilled fans young and old with his brilliance and skill,” Čeferin said in a statement.
According to a source close to the soccer star, Maradona’s family has authorized an autopsy to determine the official cause and manner of death.
