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Argentina soccer legend Maradona dies of heart attack: Lawyer

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Argentina soccer legend Diego Maradona died of a heart attack on Wednesday, his lawyer said.

Maradona, 60, had recently battled health issues and underwent emergency surgery for a subdural haematoma several weeks ago.

Maradona, who won the World Cup with Argentina in 1986 and is widely considered to be one of the greatest players of all time, coaches local club Gimnasia y Esgrima.

He last appeared in public on his 60th birthday last Friday before his side’s league match against Patronato.

FILE PHOTO: Former soccer star Diego Maradona balances a ball on his head during a photocall for “Maradona by Kusturica” by Serbian director Emir Kusturica at the 61st Cannes Film Festival May 20, 2008.

Tributes are pouring in on Social media:

‘Devastating blow’

Italian soccer club Napoli said on Wednesday the death of its former star was a “devastating blow” for both the city and the club.

“We are in mourning,” said club spokesman Nicola Lombardo. “We feel like a boxer who has been knocked out. We are in shock.”

Maradona played for Napoli between 1984 and 1991, helping the city win its first Serie A league title.

Retired Brazilian soccer star Pelé mourned the death of great Diego Maradona, saying, “Certainly, one day we’ll kick a ball together in the sky above,” he said in a brief statement.

FILE PHOTO: Soccer Football – 2018 FIFA World Cup Draw – State Kremlin Palace, Moscow.

Former England striker Gary Lineker on Twitter says, “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”

Argentina’s football association says, “Argentina’s football association, through its president Claudio Tapia, shares its deepest pain over the death of our legend, Diego Armando Maradona. You will always be in our hearts.”

Boca Juniors Football Club thanks Maradona “Eternal thanks. Eternal Diego.”

‘Best football player in history’

Former teammate Oswaldo Ardilles remembers says,  “Thank dear Dieguito for your friendship, for your football, sublime, without comparison. Simply, the best football player in the history of football. So many enjoyable moments together. Impossible to say which one was the best. RIP my dear friend.”

Another former Argentina player Javier Mascherano adds, “Eternal thanks Diego for everything you have given us. Rest in peace. You won it all.”

Diego Maradona at the Loftus Versfeld Stadium in Pretoria in 2010:

FILE PHOTO: Argentina’s coach Diego Maradona tries on sunglasses before a news conference ahead of their June 22 World Cup soccer match against Greece, at the Loftus Versfeld Stadium in Pretoria, South Africa June 21, 2010.

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