BUENOS AIRES: 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.
He suffered a heart attack at his home in the outskirts of Buenos Aires on Wednesday, Argentinian media and acquaintances of the former player said.
Maradona won the World Cup with Argentina in 1986.
RIP Diego Maradona.
Holder of the record for most games played at a FIFA World Cup as a captain – 16.
And also, sharing the record with Harry Kane, the most goals scored at a World Cup as a captain – 6. pic.twitter.com/J0XNBg3y09
— Guinness World Records 2021 Out Now (@GWR) November 25, 2020
Argentine President Alberto Fernandez declared three days of national mourning after the news of Maradona’s death.
Retired Brazilian soccer star Pele was among those who mourned the Argentine player.
“Certainly, one day we’ll kick a ball together in the sky above,” he said in a brief statement provided to Reuters by a representative.
One of the most gifted soccer players in history, Maradona’s pinnacle of glory came when he captained Argentina to win the World Cup in 1986, before plunging to misery when he was kicked out the 1994 World Cup for doping.
Years of drug use, overeating and alcoholism truncated a stellar career and altered his appearance from a lithe athlete who could slalom effortlessly through teams to a bloated addict who nearly died of cocaine-induced heart failure in 2000.
