Maradona: the Pied Piper of football
When Argentina President Alberto Fernandez announced three days of national mourning following the demise of Maradona, he posted a photograph of himself on Twitter hugging the football legend. "You took us to the highest place in the world. You made us immensely happy. You were the greatest of all. Thanks for existing, Diego. We are going to miss you for the rest of our lives," his accompanying tweet said.
Nos llevaste a lo más alto del mundo. Nos hiciste inmensamente felices. Fuiste el más grande de todos.
— Alberto Fernández (@alferdez) November 25, 2020
Gracias por haber existido, Diego. Te vamos a extrañar toda la vida. pic.twitter.com/pAf38sRlGC
Although Maradona's reputation was tarnished by his addictions and an ill-fated spell in charge of the national team, he remained idolised in football-mad Argentina as the "Pibe de Oro'' or "Golden Boy.'' The world was in mourning, and the tributes kept pouring in. Footballers, world leaders and fans of the beautiful game were united in one thought: Diego! Cyberspace was agog. Here are some highlights.
Gary Linekar, the former England striker, fondly remembered the time he played in the same team as Maradona.
Unmissable tribute to Diego Maradona from @GaryLineker pic.twitter.com/L02d3RD4NJ
— Rupert Myers (@RupertMyers) November 25, 2020
Diego Maradona against Scotland 😮😮 pic.twitter.com/a7j0WPoF7q
— Chris mcnulty (@Chrismcnulty75) November 25, 2020
SSC Napoli, the club in which Maradona spent seven years of his life, left a heartwarming message on Twitter. It said, "The world awaits our words but there are no words to describe the pain we're going through. Now is the time to grieve. Diego"
The world awaits our words but there are no words to describe the pain we're going through. Now is the time to grieve.
— Official SSC Napoli (@en_sscnapoli) November 25, 2020
Diego 💙 pic.twitter.com/40TTOIDNQ4
FC Barcelona, another club which was graced by the presence of Maradona, posted a simple message on Twitter which said, "Thank you for everything, Diego" with a picture of the legend. Maradona played for the Catalunyan club for two seasons, having signed on the summer of 1982. However, he left for Napoli two years later.
Thank you for everything, Diego pic.twitter.com/bJ9l3ixY7A
— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) November 25, 2020
A man that made millions fall in love with football.
— 90s Football (@90sfootball) November 25, 2020
RIP, Diego. 💔pic.twitter.com/DZlR4OYz70
Fabrizio Romano, the famous football journalist, posted a picture of Maradona's home ground La Bombonera that showed the whole stadium in total darkness with only one light- from the suite reserved for Maradona- shining through.
Buenos Aires. La Bombonera tonight. Total darkness but with the only light: Diego Armando Maradona’s “palco”. The only one. His place into his stadium.
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) November 26, 2020✨ #Diego pic.twitter.com/TSIeIH2HCo
Arsenal, the club Maradona was all set to sign for in the 90s before the league committee moved in to block the move, posted a picture of the Argentine legend flanked by two of the club's great- Thierry Henry and Robert Pires on either side with the message, "One of the greatest to play the game. An inspiration across the world. A huge loss to the football family. RIP, Diego."
One of the greatest to play the game. An inspiration across the world. A huge loss to the football family.
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) November 25, 2020
RIP, Diego ❤️ pic.twitter.com/OnNwiNs8CP
India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid rich tributes to the deceased Argentine star on Thursday. He said, "Diego Maradona was a maestro of football, who enjoyed global popularity. Throughout his career, he gave us some of the best sporting moments on the football field. His untimely demise has saddened us all. May his soul rest in peace." he said in a post in Twitter.
Diego Maradona was a maestro of football, who enjoyed global popularity. Throughout his career, he gave us some of the best sporting moments on the football field. His untimely demise has saddened us all. May his soul rest in peace.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) November 26, 2020
Sachin Tendulkar posted a picture of the great with the message, "Football and the world of sports has lost one of its greatest players today. Rest in Peace Diego Maradona! You shall be missed."
Football and the world of sports has lost one of its greatest players today.
— Sachin Tendulkar (@sachin_rt) November 25, 2020
Rest in Peace Diego Maradona!
You shall be missed. pic.twitter.com/QxhuROZ5a5
