'Diego left a mark on my life': Tributes paid to football legend Maradona after death

LONDON: The football world paid tribute to one of the game's greatest ever players after Argentine legend Diego Maradona died at the age of 60 on Wednesday (Nov 25).

Renowned for inspiring Argentina to win the World Cup in 1986, he was most loved at club level for his spells with Boca Juniors in his homeland and Napoli in Italy, where he won the club's only two Serie A titles.

"You are eternal in every heart in world football," the Twitter account of the Argentina national team posted alongside a picture of Maradona holding the World Cup.

Napoli's Twitter feed said: "Always in our hearts, Ciao Diego." Boca posted: "Eternal thanks. Eternal Diego."

"What sad news. I lost a great friend and the world lost a legend," football legend Pele tweeted. "One day, I hope we play soccer together in the sky."

The pinnacle of Maradona's playing career came in the 1986 World Cup quarter-final, where his two iconic goals defeated England 2-1.

Both goals reflected Maradona's larger-than-life character.

For the first, he punched the ball into the net for a goal he named "Hand of God", while for the second he showed incredible skill by dancing round the England team from inside his own half.

"By some distance the best player of my generation and arguably the greatest of all time," said Gary Lineker, who scored England's goal in that match.

"After a blessed but troubled life, hopefully he'll finally find some comfort in the hands of God. #RipDiego."

READ: Diego Maradona's legend shaped by his 'Hand of God' goal against England

"Rest in Peace, legend of football," tweeted Brazil forward Neymar, with a black and white photo of a younger Maradona with Neymar as a boy.

Maradona also played for Barcelona and Sevilla in Europe and Argentinos Juniors and Newell's Old Boys in Argentina before embarking on a far less successful managerial career.

"Thank you for everything Diego. FC Barcelona expresses its deepest condolences regarding the death of Diego Armando Maradona, a player for our club (1982-84) and an icon of world football," Barcelona said in a statement.

READ: Argentine football genius Diego Maradona saw heaven and hell

Italian sports minister Vincenzo Spadafora, a native of Naples, also paid tribute to Maradona.

"The death of Maradona is terrible news. He was more than a champion, he was a football genius, an absolute champion," Spadafora said.

"In an unrepeatable season, he represented the dreams and hopes of the people of my city. Naples is crying tonight."

European footballing great Michel Platini said: "A bit of our past has gone. 

"I am very sad. I am nostalgic for what was a wonderful era," Platini told French radio station RTL. "Diego left a mark on my life."