Football legend Diego Maradona dies at 60

 One of the greatest footballers of all time, Maradona passed away aged 60 after suffering a heart attack in Tigre, Argentina.

Maradona led Argentina to a World Cup victory in 1986 [File: Carlo Fumagalli/AP Photo]

Football legend Diego Maradona has died after suffering a heart attack, according to his spokesman.

Local media reported that the 60-year-old passed away on Wednesday in the city of Tigre.

Argentina President Alberto Fernandez declared three days of national mourning after the news of Maradona’s death.

“You took us to the top of the world. You made us immensely happy,” the president tweeted.

Maradona, who in 1986 led Argentina to a World Cup triumph, had a history of health problems.

Earlier this month, he underwent successful brain surgery for a blood clot in a specialist private clinic in Buenos Aires.

Al Jazeera’s Teresa Bo reported from Buenos Aires that people were “just getting used to the idea that he (Maradona) will no longer be here”.

“People have been saying that Maradona made them cry out of happiness because he helped them win the World Cup … now, they will be crying out of pain,” Bo said.

‘We are in mourning’

Retired Brazilian football star Pele mourned the Argentinean icon’s death.

“Sad news to lose a friend like that. May God give enough strength to his family. For sure, one day we will kick a ball together in heaven,” he said in a brief statement provided to Reuters News Agency by a representative.

In 2001, FIFA named Maradona one of the two greatest in the sport’s history, alongside Pele.

Former football stars Brazilian Edson Arantes Do Nascimento ‘Pele’ and Argentinean Diego Maradona, left, sit together at a reception May 14, 1995 in Rio de Janeiro [File: Guillermo Copolla/Reuters]

Former team-mate and Argentine player Osvaldo Ardiles said Maradona was the “best football player in the history of football”.

“Thank dear Dieguito for your friendship, for your football, sublime, without comparison,” Ardiles posted on Twitter.

“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.”

Argentinean football superstar Diego Armando Maradona cheers after the Napoli team clinches its first Italian major league title in Naples on May 10, 1987 [File: Meazza Sambucetti/AP]

Italian football club Napoli said the death of its former player 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.

Source: www.aljazeera.com