World mourns football icon Maradona

Argentinian footballing hero Diego Maradona has passed away from a heart attack, aged 60.

Renowned as one of the greatest footballers of all time, he led Argentina to World Cup victory as their captain in 1986. A goal he scored against England during that contest was later voted by FIFA as the goal of the century.

Sporting his famous number 10 shirt, he also brought Barcelona and Napoli championship wins. However, struggles with injury and drug addiction saw him leave both clubs under a cloud.

However, football enjoys the status of a religion to many in Argentina. And to them, for whom Maradona was a god, his flaws were regarded as a sign of his humanity.

To a grieving nation, President Alberto Fernandez announced three days of mourning for the man many hold as a national hero.

When Maradona's death was announced in Buenos Aires, crowds gathered to mourn his passing. People came together at the Diego Maradona Stadium, the Obelisk landmark and the Boca Juniors Stadium, where Maradona kicked off his career .

At 10pm on the night of his death, the Argentinian capital erupted in cheers, horns and sirens to honour the man in the number 10 shirt. Weniger anzeigen