Rest in Peace, Argentinian Soccer Legend Diego Maradona: 1960-2020

Diego Maradona, one of the most legendary soccer players and a man whose incredible on-field exploits elevated his influence and legacy, has passed away at the age of 60, it was reported by numerous outlets on Wednesday. ESPN noted that Maradona was recently hospitalized, underwent brain surgery and was released on Nov. 11, with the Daily Mail adding that Maradona suffered a heart attack.

Diego Maradona’s skills helped him become widely considered one of the best to ever play the sport and appeared in four FIFA World Cups with Argentina inning the 1986 World Cup over Germany, taking home the Golden Ball award as the tournament’s best player.

Diego Maradona has died at the age of 60, his longtime lawyer and agent has confirmed.

• Played in 4 World Cups
• Won 1986 World Cup and Golden Ball
• Won 9 club titles with Boca Juniors (1), Barcelona (3) and Napoli (5)

One of the all-time greats. pic.twitter.com/yv0WtvLDsU

— ESPN (@espn) November 25, 2020

It was during that World Cup run that Maradona pulled off the iconic “Hand of God” goal in a win over England:

The Argentine Football Association issued a statement from president Claudio Tapia noting that the Association

“expresses its deepest pain at the death of our legend, Diego Armando Maradona. You’ll always be in our hearts.”

La Asociación del Fútbol Argentino, a través de su Presidente Claudio Tapia, manifiesta su más profundo dolor por el fallecimiento de nuestra leyenda, Diego Armando Maradona.

Siempre estarás en nuestros corazones 💙 pic.twitter.com/xh6DdfCFed

— AFA (@afa) November 25, 2020

A bit more on Maradona’s playing career, per BBC Sport:

He scored 34 goals in 91 appearances for Argentina, representing them in four World Cups.

Maradona led his country to the 1990 final in Italy, where they were beaten by West Germany, before captaining them again in the United States in 1994, but was sent home after failing a drugs test for ephedrine.

During the second half of his career, Maradona struggled with cocaine addiction and was banned for 15 months after testing positive for the drug in 1991.

He retired from professional football in 1997, on his 37th birthday, during his second stint at Argentine giants Boca Juniors.

May Diego Maradona rest in peace.