Ajax's Tagliafico imitates Diego Maradona's iconic 1989 UEFA Cup semi-final warm-up

Ajax left-back Nicolas Tagliafico paid  ultimate tribute to Diego Maradona by mimicking late footballer's iconic pre-match warm-up routine ahead of Dutch side's UCL clash against FC Midtjylland. Maradona, who tragically died after a heart attack on Wednesday, wowed fans inside  Olympiastadion stadium in Berlin in 1989 as he danced and performed juggling tricks with ball prior to Napoli's UEFA Cup semi-final clash against Bayern Munich.

song, 'Live is Life' by Opus blared around stadium at time as Maradona showed his class with ball and Tagliafico attempted to do same at  Johan Cruyff Arena on Wednesday. 

ALSO READ: Maradona Death: Thousands Of Fans gar In streets Of Bues Aires To Pay Tribute

Nicolas Tagliafico pays tribute to Diego Maradona by mimicking late footballer's famous warm-up

Prior to Ajax's Matchday 4 UCL Group D clash against FC Midtjylland on Wednesday, Nicolas Taglifico paid a special tribute to his fellow Argentinian, Diego Maradona, who passed away just a few hours earlier. In a video clip posted by Ajax on Twitter, Tagliafico is seen dancing and shaking his body while attempting to juggle ball during his pre-match warm-up session. Ajax also played same 'Live is Life' song during warm-up. 

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Maradona's epic warm-up, which took place on April 19, 1989, saw Argentine flawlessly juggle ball ahead of Napoli's UEFA Cup semi-final clash against Bayern Munich. World Cup winner performed a series of juggling skills to rhythm of music, using his knees, head, chest and shoulders to balance ball. His shoelaces were also untied during show but crowd were too focused on his ability and skill to tice.

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Although Tagliafico lacked finesse and flashy touches of Maradona, his tribute brought a smile on many fans' faces across globe. 28-year-old was also visibly emotional when re was a moment's silence in hour of Maradona before game. Tagliafico later took to social media to post a heartfelt mess for Maradona. 

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Diego Maradona death: How did Argentine legend die?

Only a few weeks after undergoing successful brain surgery, Diego Maradona was at his home in Bues Aires. However, on Wednesday morning, a nurse came up to check on him found two-time Serie A champion unresponsive in his bed. Maradona was rushed to hospital but was declared dead. It was later confirmed that he had gone into cardiac arrest. 

Im Credits - Nicolas Tagliafico, Napoli Twitter