Diego Maradona dead: Pele says 'world lost a legend' as he mourns death of great friend

Brazilian football star Pele has mourned death of fellow football great Diego Maradona, who passed away on Wednesday. Pele joined countless mourners on social media, grieving unfortunate loss of a friend and legend. Maradona's passing was confirmed by his attorney and was also preceded by a brain surgery 

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Pele on Maradona: 'I hope we can play toger in sky'

"What sad news," Pele tweeted, remembering Argentine legend. "I lost a great friend and world lost a legend. re is still much to be said, but for w, may God give strength to family members. One day, I hope we can play ball toger in sky". 

Also read | Diego Maradona career: 1986 World Cup hero idolized as 'Golden Boy' in a soccer-mad Argentina

Tributes poured in for Maradona, as people remembered various memories y had about  1987 World Cup winner. “Reports from Argentina that Diego Armando Maradona has died,” Gary Linekar said, adding that he was "by some distance best player" of ir generation. former England striker added that hopefully, Maradona will find peace after a blessed but troubled life. 

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Franco Baresi, Jamie Carragher, Marcus Rashford, Christia Ronaldo, Harry Kane, Rio Ferdinand and Michael Owen were only few of many athletes who shared ir grief after Maradona's death. 

Maradona cause of death

Maradona, famous for his "Hand of God" goal in 1986, passed away after a cardiac arrest on Wednesday. footballer enjoyed an illustrious career but later suffered from cocaine use. Reports also added that Maradona died to weeks after he was released from a Bues Aires hospital where he underwent brain surgery. 

Shortly after news was anunced, Argentina’s president stated that y will mourn for three days. Maradona retired in 1997, when he was 37 years old. In 2004, he had been hospitalized for heart issues, which were apparently caused by cocaine. A similar incident had taken place in 2000. He had once referred to cocaine as his "toughest rival", later revealing that he had overcome his problem. 

However, his health problems continued, even after his gastric bypass in 2005. In 2007, he was hospitalized again, this time for acute hepatitis, reportedly caused by excessive drinking and eating. He even made a comeback with national team in 2008, where he was appointed coach for Argentina's team. However, he was let go after quarterfinal exit during 2010 World Cup in South Africa. 

He played for clubs like  Barcelona, Napoli and Sevilla in his career, earning name "Golden Boy". He represented Argentina in 91 international events, playing four FIFA World Cups. He is popular for his first goal in 1986 World Cup quarter-final, which he scored with his hand. second goal he made was called "Goal of Century". His .10 jersey was retired by Napoli in 2000. 

Also read | Diego Maradona cardiac arrest: 3-day national mourning declared in Argentina

(Im credits: Pele Twitter, AP)