Tributes pour in for football great Maradona

CARLO HERMANN / AFP

Tributes have poured in from all parts of the world after football legend Diego Maradona passed away on November 25, following a heart attack.

Brazil's football great Pele said he was confident that one day he "will kick a ball together in heaven".

Argentina and Barcelona captain Lionel Messi described it as a "very sad day for Argentinians and for football" on Instagram.

"He has left us but he isn't going anywhere because Diego is eternal. I'll remember the lovely moments I experienced with him and I send my condolences to his family and friends," he wrote.

Portugal and Juventus Forward Cristiano Ronaldo also took to Instagram to post his tribute. 

"Today I say goodbye to a friend and the world says goodbye to an eternal genius. One of the best of our times. An unparalleled magician. He leaves too early but leaves a legacy without limits and a void that will never be filled. Rest in peace. You will never be forgotten," he wrote.

Zinedine Zidane, Real Madrid coach, said it was "an enormous loss for the world in general but above all for football.

"What he did in the 1986 World Cup is engraved in my mind. We feel awful about what happened today, we are very sad."

FIFA President Gianni Indantino said: "Today is an unbelievably sad day. Our Diego left us. Our hearts – of all of us who loved him for how he was, and for what he represented – have stopped beating for a moment. Our silence, our tears, our pain is the only thing we are feeling deep inside us at this time.

More from Sports News

  • Djokovic quells Alcaraz challenge to reach Australian Open semis

    Novak Djokovic beat young rival Carlos Alcaraz 4-6 6-4 6-3 6-4 in a battle worthy of a title clash to charge into the Australian Open semi-finals on Tuesday and remain in the hunt for a record 25th Grand Slam title.

  • Dupont back to Six Nations to inspire France

    Antoine Dupont will make a much-awaited return to the Six Nations after a one-year hiatus that cemented his status as one of France's top athletes, hoping Les Bleus can win the tournament on the back of a perfect autumn series.

  • Zverev raises game to overcome Tommy Paul in Melbourne

    Alexander Zverev played his best tennis when it mattered most to down Tommy Paul 7-6(1) 7-6(0) 2-6 6-1 on Tuesday and reach his third Australian Open semi-final in five years, keeping alive his dream of finally landing a Grand Slam title.

  • Sabalenka safely through to semis, Badosa downs Gauff

    Defending champion Aryna Sabalenka reached the semi-finals of the Australian Open with a battling 6-2 2-6 6-3 win over Russian 27th seed Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova while Spain's Paula Badosa stunned error-prone third seed Coco Gauff 7-5 6-4.

  • Dubai Capitals stun The Desert Vipers

    The Desert Vipers' undefeated streak finally came to an end on Monday, as the Dubai Capitals delivered a stunning six-wicket victory at the Dubai International Stadium.

On Virgin Radio today

Trending on Virgin Radio