Tributes as football stars mourn Diego Maradona

 

Football stars and clubs have paid tribute to Diego Maradona who died aged 60 on Wednesday.

The Argentine Football Association confirmed his death in a statement.

Before Maradonna died, one of the greatest footballers had surgery to remove a blood clot on the brain in early November.

A few hours after his death, football stars, associations, administrators, and clubs paid their tribute.

Among them are Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappe, Neymar, Micheal Owen, FIFA, Napoli, Arsenal, and England.

Ronaldo tweeted in Portuguese alongside a picture of him and Maradona, “Today, I say goodbye to a friend, and the world says goodbye to an eternal genius.

“One of the best ever. An unparalleled magician. He leaves too soon but leaves a legacy without limits and a void that will never be filled. Rest in peace, ace. You will never be forgotten.”

England described Maradona as “unforgettable”.

“Farewell, Diego. A legend of our game,” it tweeted.

PSG star Mbappe said Maradona will remain in football history together.

“RIP Legend. You will stay in the history of football forever. Thank you for all the pleasure you gave to the whole world,” he tweeted.

Micheal Owen added, “Quite simply – a player like no other. Rest In Peace Diego Maradona.”

Retired Brazilian football great Pele was among the first to mourn the death of Maradona on Wednesday.

“Certainly, one day we’ll kick a ball together in the sky above,” Pele said in a brief statement.

Tottenham’s striker, Harry Kane, said, “Privileged to have met him. Very sad news. RIP Diego Maradona.”

Lionel Messi paid tribute to Maradona calling him “eternal” after his fellow Argentine died of a heart attack.

“A very sad day for all Argentines and football,” Messi wrote on Instagram. “He has left us but he will never leave us because Diego is eternal. I will keep all the beautiful moments that I lived with him and would like to send my condolences to all his family and friends. RIP.”