MIAMI BEACH, Fla. – You don’t have to be a soccer fan to know the name Diego Maradona. That is how big he was in the sport.
The news of his death has been hard to handle for many of the people who are remembering the great footballer.
Maradona fans were out on Miami Beach with heavy hearts Wednesday after learning of the passing of the legend.
He was just 60 years old.
The Argentine Football Association took to twitter to express its deepest sorrow, saying, “you will always be in our hearts.”
Maradona was regarded as one of the greatest players in the history of the game. He became a household name after winning the world cup for Argentina in 1986.
Famed for his ‘hand of god’ goal, when he punched the ball into England’s net during the quarterfinals, he truly captivated fans in a style of play that was all his own.
Wearing the No. 10 on his jersey, many compered him to Brazilian great Pele.
Although his reputation was somewhat tarnished by addiction issues, he remained idolized as ‘pibe de ordo,’ or the golden boy.
Earlier this month, Maradona underwent successful surgery to treat a blood clot to his brain, but unfortunately he died two weeks later after being released from a Buenos Aires hospital.
Argentine President Alberto Fernandez will decree three days of national mourning following Maradona’s passing.