By Stefan Djordjevic / info@eurohoops.net
Argentinian football legend Diego Maradona has died at the age of 60 following a heart attack on Wednesday (November 25).
Maradona had recently battled health issues and underwent emergency surgery for a subdural hematoma several weeks ago. He suffered a heart attack at his home in the outskirts of Buenos Aires.
Maradona was widely regarded as one of the greatest football players of all time, and by many as the greatest ever. He produced many historic moments and was one of the two joint winners of the FIFA Player of the 20th Century award.
Argentina President Alberto Fernandez confirmed there will be three days of national mourning following the tragic news.
As an Argentinian and worldwide legend, Maradona’s influence stretched far past just football and into the whole world of sports.
Basketball was no exception and on an occasion, Maradona actually said that Manu Ginobili is “the best athlete in the history of Argentina”.
Ginobili was among the many in basketball to react to the news: “Very sad! Thanks, Diego for such beautiful moments! A huge hug for all his family and for the people who loved him deeply.”
Muy triste! Gracias Diego por tan lindos momentos!
Abrazo enorme para toda su familia y para un pueblo que lo amó profundamente. pic.twitter.com/QC0s8xbzHR— Manu Ginobili (@manuginobili) November 25, 2020
Maradona loved basketball and had a strong bond with many players including the two on the cover photo in Candido ‘Chico’ Sibilio (right) and Juan ‘Lagarto’ de la Cruz (left) who were both a part of Barcelona for more than a decade. Maradona played for Barca from 1982 until 1984.
3 grandes: De la Cruz, Maradona & Sibilio.#FCBarcelona pic.twitter.com/jIk7tmFHY2
— Barça Lovers (@barcalovers1992) January 25, 2018
His legacy transcends sports. This is the dunk that Argentinian forward Walter Herrmann performed in the 2003 ACB dunk contest.