UEFA has confirmed a minute’s silence will be held in all European games this week, following the death of Diego Maradona.
UEFA President Ceferin Pays Tribute to Maradona
Argentine Icon Died Aged 60 from Cardiac Arrest
UEFA President, Aleksander Ceferin, said in a statement:
“I am deeply saddened to hear of the death of Diego Maradona, one of world football’s greatest and most iconic figures. He achieved greatness as a wonderful player with a genius and charisma of his own.
“Diego Maradona was a hero in his native Argentina with whom he enjoyed World Cup glory, and became an eternal idol for the supporters of Napoli, who will never forget the successes he brought to the club during his memorable spell in Italy.
“He will go down in history as someone who set football alight and thrilled fans young and old with his brilliance and skill. I have instructed UEFA to hold a minute’s silence in memory of Diego at this week’s matches.”
Maradona’s death was announced earlier today, after suffering a heart attack in his home in Buenos Aires.
The 1986 World Cup winner had undergone successful surgery for a blood clot on his brain earlier this month. He was due to be treated for alcohol dependency.
Maradona’s World Cup victory famously came after defeating England in the quarter-finals. The game included two of the most memorable goals of all time.
The first involved Maradona punching the ball into the net past England goalkeeper Peter Shilton. Maradona said the goal came from the “Hand of God.”
The second goal saw Maradona run from the halfway line, evading challenges from several England players, before sliding the ball past Shilton once more.
In 2002, it was voted FIFA’s “Goal of the Century”.
Maradona also won two Serie A titles with Napoli and also represented Barcelona. He started his career with Argentinos Juniors and also played for Boca Juniors and Newell’s Old Boys in his homeland.
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