Diego Maradona celebrated his 60th birthday with a comprehensive league victory for the club he coaches and a 100-metre long billboard erected in his honour in the centre of Buenos Aires.
Although he had been reported to be self-isolating after coming into contact with someone who displayed Covid-19 symptoms, Maradona appeared at his club’s stadium on Friday evening.
The Gimnasia y Esgrima coach unexpectedly turned up ahead of their game against Patronato, the first match in a season that kicked off on Friday night after a seven-month hiatus caused by the coronavirus pandemic.
Officials presented him with a plaque, he was given several birthday cakes and fans who gathered outside the ground sang "Happy Birthday" and let off fireworks.
“It’s a special day,” head of the Argentine Football Association Claudio Tapia told local TV. “We're very happy to be able to salute a player as great as Diego."
Maradona left the ground before Gimnasia kicked off their closed doors match and he missed their 3-0 victory.
Earlier in the day, friends sent tributes to the flamboyant player who led Argentina to their 1986 World Cup triumph.
A billboard featuring Maradona's face was unveiled on Buenos Aires' majestic central Avenida, alongside the obelisk where fans traditionally gather to celebrate major victories.
On Instagram, football greats from around the world - former Brazil striker Ronaldo Nazario, manager Jose Mourinho and former Italy captain Franco Baresi among them - shared their best wishes.
"I start my 60th with these marvellous messages that you've all sent me," Maradona said in response. "Thanks for your love and your friendship. This is the best present you could have given me."
Maradona is widely acknowledged to be one of the greatest footballers of all time.
He won the 1986 World Cup with Argentina and his two goals against England in the quarter-final victory - one the infamous Hand of God, the second a brilliant solo goal – are unforgettable moments in sporting history.
60 pictures of the incredible Maradona
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Maradona's 'hand of God' goal against England and Peter Shilton in 1986. Bongarts -
Football legend Diego Maradona poses alongside the Fujairah FC logo designed by Ms Al Kendi Fujairah Football Club. Courtesy Fujairah Football Club -
Fujairah manager Diego Maradona talks to his Fujairah squad during a training session in November 2017. The National -
Diego Maradona holds up the World Cup after Argentina beat West Germany 3-2 in the 1986 World Cup final at the Atzeca Stadium, in Mexico City. Shutterstock -
3 Apr 1996: Soccer star Diego Maradona juggles a soccer ball in the ring at the end of a charity boxing match against Falucho Lacier, former WBA Flyweight world champion at the General Paz Junior's Club in Cordoba, Argentina. Getty -
Former Argentinian soccer player Diego Armando Maradona, during a game at the Juan Carmelo Zerilo stadium, in La Plata, Argentina, 09 February 2020. EPA -
Argentinean soccer legend Diego Maradona shows his skills after the Ajax vs Boca Juniors soccer match during the Amsterdam four-team soccer tournament in the Arena stadium in Amsterdam on Sunday, 31 July 2005. EPA -
Argentine soccer legend Diego Maradona cheers his team Boca Juniors after winning the Copa Sudamericana soccer final against Mexico's Pumas Unam at La Bombonera stadium in Buenos Aires, Sunday, 18 December 2005 EPA -
Diego Maradona of Argentina is confronted by a posse of Belgium defenders during 1982 Wold Cup in Spain. Allsport -
Maradona, head coach of Gimnasia y Esgrima La Plata, gestures before a match in November, 2019. Getty -
Argentina coach Diego Maradona plays with school kids at the Kgotlelelang primary school on January 19, 2010 in Shoshanguwe, Pretoria. AFP -
Maradona washing his hair after a match in 1980. Allsport -
Maradona resting with his feet up at home in 1980. Allsport -
1986 World Cup winner Diego Maradona. Bongarts -
Gimnasia coach Maradona in February, 2020. Getty -
Maradona smokes a cigar as he watches the World Cup match between Argentina and Iceland at the Spartak Stadium in Moscow in 2018. AFP -
Diego Maradona celebrates Argentina's goal against Italy in the 1990 World Cup semi-final. Action Images -
Mexican second division club Dorados's coach Maradona in 2018. AFP -
Cuban President Fidel Castro with Maradona during the recording of Maradona's TV programme "The 10's Night" in Havana, 26 October 2005. AFP -
Argentinian footballer, Diego Maradona, in April 1978. Getty -
Maradona answers questions during a press conference in Buenos Aires in 2005. AFP -
Argentina's 1994 World Cup captain Diego Maradona after Argentina a goal against Greece. AFP -
Diego Maradona with Marwan Bin Bayat, chairman of Dubai club Al Wasl, in 2011. AFP -
Diego Maradona, head coach of Argentina, at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa. Getty -
Diego Maradona of Seville in action during January 1993. Allsport -
Maradona poses with his wife Claudia and two daughters Giannina and Dalma at his 35th birthday in Buenos Aires. AFP -
Maradona juggles a ball surrounded by his wife of Claudia, daughters Dalma and Giannina, Serbian producer Maja Kusturica, Dunja Kusturica and Serbian director Emir Kusturica as he arrives to attend the screening of the documentary film 'Maradona by Kusturica' at the 61st Cannes International Film Festival on May 20, 2008. AFP -
Maradona is greeted by schoolchildren during his visit to Kgotlelelang School at Winterveldt in South Africa in January, 2010. Getty -
Maradona poses in front of his statue at the Boca Juniors Museum in, Buenos Aires in 2006. AFP -
Maradona balances a soccer ball on his head as he walks off the training ground after a session with Argentina in 1986. AFP -
Maradona shows his support for Argentina prior to the 2018 World Cup match against Nigeria. Getty -
Argentina striker Lionel Messi celebrates with coach Diego Maradona at the 2010 World Cup. AFP -
Maradona receives the keys of the Colombian city Cartagena from mayor Alberto Barbosa in 2005. AFP -
Maradona signs autographs in Havana, Cuba, in February 2000. AFP -
Argentina's 1994 World Cup captain Diego Maradona after Argentina a goal against Greece. AFP -
Maradona dances with Italian Angela Panico during the TV show "Ballando con le stelle" in Rome in October 2005. AFP -
Argentina coach Maradona during a press conference in Ezeiza, Buenos Aires in 2009. AFP -
Pope Francis meets Maradona in Rome in 2014. Getty -
President of Gimnasia y Esgrima Gabriel Pellegrino and Diego Maradona during his presentation as new coach in September, 2019. Reuters -
Maradona sitting in a bedroom with his daughters in Italy in 1989. Getty -
German great Karl Heinz Rummenigge with Maradona. Kicker -
Argentina captain Maradona celebrates on the shoulders of teammates after they had beaten Russia 3-1 to win the 1979 World Youth Championships in Tokyo. Getty -
Maradona holds a Aurora shirt during the inauguration of the Club Aurora football School in Bolivia in March, 2004. AFP -
Maradona with United Al Wasel officials following a press conference in Dubai in June, 2011. AFP -
Maradona, coach of Al Wasl, with his mother Dalma in 2011. AFP -
Maradona is overcome with emotion during an event in his honour at the "La Bombonera" stadium of Boca Juniors in 2001. AFP -
Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez jokes with Maradona during the "People's Summit" rally in 2005. AFP -
Maradona celebrates his 51st birthday with Al Wasl in 2011. AFP -
Al Wasl coach Maradona with his son in law, Manchester City's Sergio Aguero (C), and his grandson Benjamin in 2012. AFP -
Maradona poses on stage ahead of the 2018 World Cup draw at the State Kremlin Palace in Moscow in 2018. AFP -
Napoli' supporters wave a flag bearing a portrait of Maradona during a Serie A match in 2013. AFP -
Maradona hands the honorary "Ballon d'Or" award to his wife Claudia, as former soccer great Alfredo Di Stefano looks on. AFP -
Maradona juggles a ball in the ring at the end of a charity boxing match against Falucho Lacier, former WBA flyweight world champion, at the General Paz Junior's Club in Cordoba, Argentina, in 1996. Allsport -
A young Maradona (centre) with his family on a beach in 1970. Allsport -
Maradona playing for Barcelona in 1982. AFP -
A relaxed young Maradona (l) has a drink. PA -
Raffaele Di Fusco, Massimo Crippa, Maradona, Francesco Romano and Giuliano Giuliani of Napoli celebrate with the trophy after the UEFA Cup Final against Stuttgart in 1989. Getty -
Maradona plays against his compatriot Juan Martin Del Potro in Dubai in 2013. AFP -
Argentina's coach Maradona embraces his father Diego at the end of a training session in Buenos Aires in 2009. AFP -
Gimnasia coach Maradona on the balcony of Government House after a meeting with President of Argentina Alberto Fernandez in 2019 in Buenos Aires. Getty -
Maradona greets supporters in front of a hotel in Athens in January 2004. AFP -
Maradona wipes the lens of a television camera during a celebration for his wife's birthday at a hotel in Havana in January, 2000. AFP -
Maradona controls the ball as he poses during a photocall for Serbian director Emir Kusturica's film 'Maradona by Kusturica' at the 61st Cannes International Film Festival in 2008. AFP -
Maradona backstage with Queen on The Game Tour in Buenos Aires, 1982. Wikimedia Commons -
Maradona being carried by fans after winning the 1981 championship with Boca Juniors in 1981. AFP -
Diego Maradona turns 60 on October 30, 2020. Action Images -
Maradona at the 1994 World Cup in the USA. Action Images
He also transformed Italian club Napoli, helping them to their first league title in 1987, as well as to the UEFA Cup in 1989 and another Serie A trophy a year later.
But there was also a dark side that cost him dearly.
Maradona's drug addiction tainted his later years in Italy and led to him being kicked out of the 1994 World Cup and banned from the game for 15 months.
Knee injuries took their toll as did weight problems and he was hospitalised in 2004 with severe heart and respiratory problems. He now often uses crutches to walk.
