Diego Maradona death – Legend was 'cold, pale and felt sick' just hours before he died as Argentina and Naples mourns
DIEGO Maradona died just hours after telling his family he was feeling sick.
The Argentinian star, 60, passed away at his home in Buenos Aires two weeks after being released from hospital for a bleed on his brain.
According to reports, Maradona came down for breakfast yesterday morning looking pale and complaining about feeling cold. He told his nephew that he felt sick before returning to bed.
Shortly before midday a nurse went to check on him but was unable to rouse him. Paramedics were called but Maradona died before they arrived.
Three days of mourning have now been declared in Argentina, where President Alberto Fernandez said "You took us to the top of the world. You made us immensely happy. You were the greatest of all."
Thousands of mourners have poured onto the streets of Buenos Aires, as well as in Naples in Italy where Maradona almost single-handedly took local club Napoli to the Serie A title twice in the late 1980s.
Follow our live blog below for the latest news and updates on Maradona's death
- Jon Rogers
ARGENTINES BID FAREWELL TO MARADONA
Argentines lined up in the streets of Buenos Aires on Thursday to say goodbye to soccer great Diego Maradona, whose casket lay in state at the Casa Rosada presidential palace draped in an Argentine flag and his famous no. 10 shirt.
Maradona, Argentina's favorite son whose life was marred by struggles with addiction, died aged 60 following a heart attack at home on Wednesday. Huge crowds are expected to pay their respects as part of three days of national mourning.
Early on Thursday, thousands were already forming a snaking line through the streets near the central Plaza de Mayo after a night of mourning and reminiscing. Some scuffles broke out as fans tried to get inside the palace to see their hero.
Maradona's body lay in a wooden coffin with the blue and white national flag and an Argentina soccer jersey with the number 10 that had been part of his nickname “D10S” – a play on “dios”, the Spanish word for God.
Fans held back by a barrier threw things towards the casket, including soccer shirts, as they tried to get near the player, who had become a hero in Argentina and beyond both on and off the pitch despite his well-documented flaws.
“He was someone who touched the sky with his hands but never took his feet off the ground,” President Alberto Fernandez said on Wednesday.
- Jon Rogers
SHILTON REMEMBERS THE 'HAND OF GOD' GOAL
Peter Shilton, the England goalkeeper beaten by Maradona's 'Hand of God' goal in the 1986 World Cup quarter-final, shared his memories of that game.
“For me as a goalkeeper there didn't seem to be any danger,” he told Sky Sports News.
“He would have been offside but one of our own players, Steve Hodge, was put off balance, so he was trying to clear it and hooked it back.
“I had a split-second decision to make – do I stay on my line and let the world's greatest player have an opportunity from 10 yards out or can I get there? I felt I could just get there, it was an instinct thing, but I was always second-best, I was always trying to catch up.
“I was diving a little bit flat. I knew I was going to get the ball, I think Maradona said in an interview the reason he punched it in with his hand was because he could see I was getting above him, and he couldn't head it.
“He took a chance, it ended up in the back of the net and then he ran off to celebrate. You're looking around waiting for the referee to blow his whistle as we did, and of course the rest is history.”
- Jon Rogers
ANDY MURRAY SHARES MEMORY OF MARADONA
Andy Murray has shared the memory of his meeting with Maradona.
He wrote on Instagram: “I was lucky enough to meet Maradona once at the 02 arena. He had come to watch the tennis there. He spoke to me for a couple of minutes in Spanish with unbelievable energy, passion and expression.
“Unfortunately I barely understood a word but that didn't seem to matter. He was diminutive in size but clearly a larger than life character/personality with a tonne of charisma.
“The following day I was given a signed Argentina (shirt) which he left for me that you can see in the 2nd picture which reads..'To my friend Andy with all my love and hope that you soon become 1'
“Numero uno were the only words I understood from our conversation.”
- Jon Rogers
COPS AND MARADONA FANS CLASH
Diego Maradona fans and cops have clashed on the streets of Buenos Aires as the fans tried to enter the Government House to pay their respects.
Maradona's coffin arrived at the presidential palace in Buenos Aires for a period of lying in state, TV reports showed, following the death of the Argentine football legend aged 60 on November 25.
Hundreds of people were already lining up to pay their respects to Maradona, who died while recovering from a brain operation.
- Jon Rogers
MARADONA WAS 'MESMERISING' SAYS HENRY
Former Arsenal and France striker Thierry Henry wrote on Instagram: “It was like yesterday, being old enough to watch my first World Cup that I can remember (1986). He was mesmerising. It was his World Cup.
“There were so many more memories. It was an honour and privilege to watch and then meet one of the greatest footballers to have ever played the game.
“My thoughts are with all his family, friends and many admirers. RIP diegoarmandomaradona legend.”
- Jon Rogers
ARGENTINE EMBASSY IN CHINA PAYS TRIBUTE TO MARADONA
The Argentine embassy in China has flown its flag at half-mast in a tribute to Diego Maradona.
The South American country has started three days of national mourning for one of football's most-celebrated figures after he died from a heart attack.
The embassy in Beijingalso played its part in honouring the footballer who died at the age of 60.
- Jon Rogers
PELE PAYS TRIBUTE TO MARADONA
Pele has paid tribute to another footballing great Diego Maradona after the Argentine died at the age of 60.
The Brazilian, who won three World Cups, said: “One day, I hope we can play football together in the sky”.
Pele, 80, wrote on his official Twitter account: “What sad news. I lost a great friend and the world lost a legend.
“There is still much to be said, but for now, may God give strength to family members. One day, I hope we can play football together in the sky.”
- Jon Rogers
MARADONA'S BODY ARRIVES AT PRESIDENTIAL PALACE
Diego Maradona's body has arrived at the presidential palace in Argentina as the country starts three days of mourning.
Huge crowds gathered as the legendary No 10's body was lifted out of the ambulance and taken inside.
Large crowds have also gathered outside the Buenos Aires stadium where Maradona began his career and which has since been renamed in his honour, setting up a makeshift shrine to celebrate his life and career.
- Jon Rogers
AUTOPSY CONFIRMS MARADONA DIED OF A HEART ATTACK
An autopsy report leaked to Argentine media said he died in his sleep after suffering heart failure, only two weeks after leaving hospital following surgery to remove a blood clot on his brain.
Medics also detected dilated cardiomyopathy, a medical condition in which the heart muscle becomes weakened and enlarged and cannot pump enough blood to the rest of the body.
- Jon Rogers
MARADONA WAS A 'GOD' SAYS ARDILES
Diego Maradona's Argentina team mate Ossie Ardiles has said the footballer was a “god” not only in his home country but around the world.
The former Tottenham Hotspur star, who played with Maradona in the 1982 Argentine World Cup squad said: “He will be remembered as a genius in football.
“You can see the extraordinary amount of interest that he generates.
“People like [Juventus and Portugal striker] Ronaldo, or people like [Barcelona and Argentina forward] Messi, they couldn't even dream of having this kind of admiration.
“That was the Maradona phenomenon – all the time.”
- Jon Rogers
ARGENTINA STARTS THREE DAYS OF MOURNING
Argentina has started three days of mourning for Diego Maradona after the football start died at the age of 60.
His body will lie in state at the Casa Rosada, the presidential palace in Buenos Aires, during that time.
Fans have lined the streets of Buenos Aires as a hearse carried his coffin to a funeral parlour in the city.
- Chris Bradford
IN PICTURES: THANK YOU COSMIC KITE
A masked Boca Juniors fan holds up a sign which reads: “Thank you Cosmic Kite”.
Diego Maradona, considered to be a legendary footballer, died aged 60 from a heart attack on November 25.
- Chris Bradford
'ONLY MARADONA WOULD DO KICK-UPS WITH A GOLF BALL IN HIS SUIT AND SHOES'
Former Spurs player Ossie Ardiles was great friends with Diego Maradona.
Ardiles was the translator when Maradona spoke at the Oxford Union in 1995.
Speaking to Sportsmail following Maradona's death, Ossie said: “Here was Diego, on the same stage where Nelson Mandela and Ronald Reagan had stood.
“Suddenly, one guy shouts, 'Can you do keepie-uppies with this?', and he throws a golf ball towards us.
“'I'm thinking, 'Oh no, he's wearing a suit and brand new shoes, this will be difficult',” he said.
“Diego pulls his trousers up and starts keeping the ball up.
“Boom, boom, boom. Easy. He then kicks it back to the guy with his heel. It was incredible. Only Diego.”
- Chris Bradford
SNOOKER LEGEND SAYS MARADONA “SURPASSED WHAT WAS HUMANELY POSSIBLE”
In a glowing tribute, snooker star Ronnie O'Sullivan said Diego Maradona “surpassed what was humanely possible”.
Maradona was renowned for his silky skills on the pitch, but known for his colourful lifestyle outside the stadium.
“He's iconic,” O'Sullivan told Eurosport.
“Maradona, Muhammad Ali, Ayrton Senna, they left their mark on the world. They had the world in their hands. He was incredible.
“I have always said I would prefer a short and exciting life rather than a long and beige life. Maradona definitely had an exciting life.”
- Chris Bradford
REF WHO MISSED 'HAND OF GOD' HAILS MARADONA AS 'GENIUS'
Former referee Ali Bin Nasser, who presided over the 1986 quarter final between England and Argentina, hailed Diego Maradona as a “genius”.
Nasser said he missed Maradona's controversial “hand of God” goal but described his second finish as a “masterpiece”.
In the 51st minute, the Argentine outjumped England goalkeeper Peter Shilton and punched the ball into the net, giving his side a 1-0 advantage.
“I didn't see the hand, but I had a doubt,” Bin Nasser said.
“You can see the pictures — I stepped back to take the advice of my assistant, Bulgarian (Bogdan) Dochev, and when he said it was good, I gave the goal.”
- Chris Bradford
FORMER SPURS AND CHELSEA MANAGER SAYS NO PLAYER SHOULD WEAR NO.10
Former Chelsea and Tottenham head coach Andre Villas-Boas believes FIFA should retire the No.10 shirt as a tribute to Diego Maradona, Goal reports.
The Argentine passed away on Wednesday after suffering a massive heart attack, aged 60.
“It is very bad news as well as the loss of a board member [at Porto] who was really important to me, who was the first person to open the door for me to the coaching world,” AVB said after Marseille's 2-0 defeat to Porto.
“And Maradona yes it is tough news, I would like FIFA to retire the No.10 shirt in all competitions, for all teams.”
- Chris Bradford
SIMEONE: 'MARADONA WAS THE BEST'
Atletico Madrid head coach Diego Simeone has paid tribute to his countryman Diego Maradona who died today.
Simeone played with Maradona during their time at Sevilla together in the mid 1990s as well as with the Argentine national team.
“A legend has left us,” the Atletico boss said after Madrid's 0-0 draw with Lokomotiv Moscow in the Champions League.
- Chris Bradford
MORE PICTURES FROM SEVILLE
- Chris Bradford
IN PICTURES: SEVILLA STADIUM LIT IN COLOURS OF ARGENTINE FLAG
This picture shows the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan stadium in Seville, Spain, lit in the colours of the Argentine flag.
Maradona played for Sevilla during the 1992-93 season.
- Chris Bradford
IN PICTURES: TRAFFIC SIGN IN BUENOS AIRES PAYS TRIBUTE
- Chris Bradford
SHILTON: 'MARADONA HAD GREATNESS, BUT NO SPORTSMANSHIP'
Diego Maradona had greatness in him, but lacked sportsmanship, former England goalkeeper Peter Shilton claims.
The goalkeeper was between the sticks during England's infamous 1986 World Cup quarter final against Argentina.
The clash saw Maradona infamously punch the ball past Shilton to score.
The ex-goalie, writing in the Mail, said: “What I don't like is that he never apologised.
“Never at any stage did he say he had cheated and that he would like to say sorry. Instead, he used his ‘Hand of God’ line. That wasn’t right.
“It seems he had greatness in him but sadly no sportsmanship.”
- Chris Bradford
AGUERO TRIBUTE
Manchester City forward Sergio Aguero tweeted: “We are never going to forget you. You will always be with us graciasdiego RIP.
- Chris Bradford
WHEN MARADONA CAME TO LEICESTER
Although Diego Maradona didn't don a Leicester City shirt, he made an impact on his visit to the East Midlands city in 2015.
He visited the King Power stadium to cheer on his beloved Argentina in the Rugby World Cup against Tonga, Leicestershire Live reports.
Thankfully, Argentina breezed to a 45-16 victory.
Current Foxes manager Brendan Rodgers paid tribute to the Argentine: “It’s a great shock. When the new comes through, you reflect on him and his career.
“I’ve always said he was an idol of mine growing up, what an immense talent he was. It’s just so sad because 60 years of age nowadays seems so young.
“It’s obviously a very sad day for everyone involved in football.”
- Chris Bradford
'I DON'T FEEL WELL'
Diego Maradona's last words before he died were “I don't feel well,” according to reports.
The ex-footballer went back to bed after having breakfast and telling nephew Johnny Esposito he didn’t feel well and was going to lie down again.
A nurse who was looking after Maradona following his release from hospital after his brain scan op phoned for an ambulance and several responded.
One described how he had awoken in the morning looking pale and complaining of feeling cold.
He went back to bed after a quick breakfast where he is said to have pronounced his last words: “Me siento mal’ – English for ‘I don’t feel well.”
- Chris Bradford
MARADONA: THE RECORD BREAKER
Diego Maradona was unquestionably one of the most iconic footballers of all time.
He enjoyed a record-breaking sports career… quite literally.
His first Guinness world record came in 1978 while playing for the Argentinos Juniors as the youngest ever goal scorer in the top flight.
He broke the record for the most number of appearances at a FIFA World Cup as captain – 16 (between 1982 and 1994).
He shares the record for the most number of goals scored in a World Cup as captain with Tottenham striker Harry Kane (6).
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