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Remembered
Soccer legend Diego Maradona has passed away at the age of 60.
Multiple news outlets report Maradona suffered a heart attack in his home, just weeks after undergoing emergency surgery for a subdural hematoma.
Earlier this month, his neurosurgeon Leopoldo Luque gave a health update following the surgery. He revealed, “I was able to evacuate the hematoma successfully and Diego tolerated the surgery very well.”
Luque continued, saying, “Diego is under control. He has a small drain [to remove fluid] that we are planning to take out tomorrow. His stay at the hospital will depend on his evolution. But the start of his recovery was great. The way he reacted after the surgery is promising.”
After the news broke, Argentina Football Association released a statement, saying, “The Argentine Football Association, through its President Claudio Tapia, expresses its deepest pain at the death of our legend, Diego Armando Maradona. You’ll always be in our hearts.”
According to AP, Maradona will be honored with three national days of mourning in Argentina. The country’s president, Alberto Fernandez, said, “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 the rest of our lives.”
Over the past 20 years, Maradona has battled health issues. In 2000, he was hospitalized after suffering heart problems. Four years later, he would be admitted to the hospital for heart and respiratory problems.
Maradona also underwent two gastric bypass operations, a surgery to fix the bleeding in his stomach, and a knee surgery.
Maradona shot to stardom in 1986, when he led Argentina to a World Cup win, beating West Germany.
During the quarterfinal match between Argentina and England, Maradona scored a “hand of God goal,” one of the most famous goals in soccer history.
In 1991, Maradona was suspended from playing soccer for 15 months after testing positive for cocaine.
Years later, Maradona stated publicly, “I was, am, and always will be a drug addict.”
Of his past drug use, Maradona said in 2014, “I gave my opponents a big advantage. Do you know the player I could have been if I hadn’t taken drugs?”
Regarded as one of the best soccer players of all time, Maradona coached Argentina’s national team for two years until 2010.
Maradona is survived by his partner, Veronica Ojeda, four children, grandchildren, and his former wife, Claudia Villafane.