‘Eternal genius’: Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo farewell Diego Maradona

Everyone from Lionel Messi to Pele to Sachin Tendulkar has paid tribute to once-in-a-lifetime football legend Diego Maradona.

The football world united to pay tribute to one of the game’s greatest-ever players after Argentine legend Diego Maradona died at the age of 60 on Thursday.

Renowned for inspiring Argentina to win the World Cup in 1986, he was most loved at club level for his spells with Boca Juniors in his homeland and Napoli in Italy, where he won the club’s only two Serie A titles.

Many of the world’s best players, including modern stars Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi, hailed Maradona as a true icon.

“Today I say goodbye to a friend and the world says goodbye to an eternal genius,” Ronaldo tweeted. “One of the best ever. An unparalleled magician. He leaves too soon, but leaves a legacy without limits and a void that will never be filled. Rest in peace, ace. You will never be forgotten.”

Messi, who took his mantle as Argentina’s leading player, posted on Instagram. “A very sad day for all Argentines and for football. He leaves us but does not leave, because Diego is eternal,” Messi wrote. “I keep all the beautiful moments lived with him and I wanted to take the opportunity to send my condolences to all his family and friends.”

Messi and Ronaldo posted photographs of themselves with Maradona.

His former teams added their voice.

“You are eternal in every heart in world football,” the Twitter account of the Argentina national team posted alongside a picture of Maradona holding the World Cup.

Napoli’s Twitter feed said: “Always in our hearts, Ciao Diego.” Boca posted: “Eternal thanks. Eternal Diego.”

Maradona also played for Barcelona and Sevilla in Europe and Argentinos Juniors and Newell’s Old Boys in Argentina before embarking on a far less successful managerial career.

“Thank you for everything Diego. FC Barcelona expresses its deepest condolences regarding the death of Diego Armando Maradona, a player for our club (1982-84) and an icon of world football,” Barcelona said in a statement.

Maradona is remembered for his masterly composure on the ball, but he was also famous for his frequent lack of control both on the field and off.

He struggled with addiction, notably to cocaine, and with his weight, in contrast to the more clean-cut image of Brazilian legend and three-time World Cup winner Pele.

“What sad news. I lost a great friend and the world lost a legend,” Pele tweeted. “One day, I hope we play soccer together in the sky.”

Ex-Tottenham and Argentina midfielder Ossie Ardiles said: “Thank dear Dieguito for your friendship, for your football, sublime, without comparison. Simply, the best football player in the history of football. So many enjoyable moments together. Impossible to say which one was the best. RIP my dear friend.”

Diego Maradona in his prime. Credit: Allsport UK /Allsport

In action for Napoli. Credit: Allsport UK /Allsport

Paris St-Germain and Brazil forward Neymar posted a photo of him as a youngster with Maradona, calling the Argentine a “legend of football”.

The pinnacle of Maradona’s playing career came in the 1986 World Cup quarter-final, where his two iconic goals defeated England 2-1.

Both goals reflected Maradona’s larger-than-life character.

For the first he punched the ball into the net for a goal he named “Hand of God”, while for the second he showed incredible skill by dancing round the England team from inside his own half.

“By some distance the best player of my generation and arguably the greatest of all time,” said Gary Lineker, who scored England’s goal in that match.

“After a blessed but troubled life, hopefully he’ll finally find some comfort in the hands of God. #RipDiego.”

Sprint king Usain Bolt and cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar were among the greats from other sports to pay tribute.

“Football and the world of sports has lost one of its greatest players today,” Tendulkar wrote. “Rest in Peace Diego Maradona! You shall be missed.”

– AFP