'Now is the moment for tears' - how the football world reacted to the death of Diego Maradona

Tributes pour in from some of the game's biggest stars

A fan cries as she pays homage to Maradona at Argentinos Juniors' Diego Armando Maradona Stadium in La Paternal, Buenos Aires, in November. AFP

Football fans surround the hearse carrying the coffin of Diego Maradona as it arrives at a funeral parlour in Buenos Aires. AP

A father and daughter mourn as they gather by the Buenos Aires Obelisk to pay homage to Maradona. AFP

People gather to mourn the death of football legend Diego Maradona, outside the Diego Armando Maradona stadium, in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Reuters

A fan mourns the death of Diego Maradona, outside the Alberto J. Armando "La Bombonera" stadium, in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Reuters

A fan mourns the death of Diego Maradona, at the Marcelo Bielsa stadium, in Rosario, Argentina, Reuters

Fans hold a vigil for Maradona outside the stadium of Argentinos Juniors, where he started as a professional footballer, in Buenos Aires. AP

A boy touches a mural of Maradona outside the Argentinos Juniors stadium. AP

Ffans carry a banner of Maradona in downtown Buenos Aires. AP

A man wearing a shirt with the face of Maradona cries outside the stadium of the Argentinos Juniors. AP

A sign reaing "Thank You Diego' hangs at the gate of the presidential palace in Buenos Aires. AP

Fans pay tribute to Maradona after the news of his death was announced in Buenos Aires. Getty

Fans cry for Maradona after the news of his death, Getty

Supporters gather at the door of the judicial morgue, in the town of San Fernando. EPA

Police guard at the door of the judicial morgue, in the town of San Fernando, Buenos Aires province. EPA

A fan with a Maradona face mask and motorcycle helmet at La Bombonera Stadium in Buenos Aires. Getty

People gather to mourn the death of Argentine soccer legend Diego Maradona outside San Paolo stadium in Naples, Italy. Reuters

People gather to mourn the death of soccer legend Maradona, outside the Diego Armando Maradona stadium, in Buenos Aires. Reuters

Fans gather at Obelisk of Buenos Aires to mourn and pay tribute to Maradona. Getty

The back window of a car displays 'So long, God'. Getty

Fans gather to pay tribute to Maradona at the entrance of his former house in the corner of Segurola and Habana in Buenos Aires. Getty

A fan lights a candle to pay tribute to Maradona at the entrance of his former house in Buenos Aires. Getty

Tributes to Maradona at the entrance of his former house in Buenos Aires. Getty

Independiente's coach Lucas Pusineri wears a black armband in memory of Maradona before a Copa Sudamericana match against Uruguay's Fenix in Montevideo, Uruguay. AP

The Beira-Rio stadium with the colours of Argentina in tribute to Maradona in Porto Alegre, Brazil. Reuters

A fan holds a jersey reading 'Today football died' as fans gather to pay tribute to Diego Maradona at Diego Armando Maradona Stadium. Getty

Fireworks are let off and a screen displays the No 10 as a tribute to Maradona at Diego Armando Maradona Stadium. Getty

Argentine football great Diego Maradona died on Wednesday, after suffering a heart attack, plunging the football world into grief.

Here are some of the reactions to the 60-year-old's death.

Brazil great Pele

"Sad news to lose a friend like that. May God give enough strength to his family. For sure, one day we will kick a ball together in heaven.

Brazilian soccer legend Pele and Diego Maradona in 1987. EPA

Argentina and Barcelona captain Lionel Messi

"A very sad day for all Argentinians and for football. He has left us but he isn't going anywhere because Diego is eternal. I'll remember the lovely moments I experienced with him and I send my condolences to his family and friends. Rest in peace."

Maradona and Messi in 2010. EPA

Napoli, Maradona's club from 1984-1991

"Everyone is waiting for our words but what words could we possibly use for a pain such as this that we are going through? Now is the moment for tears. Then there will be the moment for words.

"We are in mourning. We feel like a boxer who has been knocked out. We are in shock. A devastating blow for both city and club. Always in our hearts. Ciao Diego."

Napoli supporters stand outside the San Paolo stadium to pay tribute to Maradona. EPA

Atletico Madid coach Diego Simeone

"When I was growing up Diego was the guide on how to play football. This painful moments hurts us all, because Maradona is football, he is Argentina, he had that rebellious character which defined him everywhere he went.

"He really looked after me when we were both at Sevilla and I was very young. Diego may have gone but his spirit will remain on every football pitch."

Atletico Madrid's Argentine coach Simeone observes a minute's of silence before their game against Lokomotiv Moscow. EPA

Former Barcelona teammate Bernd Schuster

"Maradona was a leader on the pitch, opponents dished out the ugliest of tackles to him but he never stopped asking for the ball. We didn't know how to make the most of Diego at Barcelona, at times we left him alone on the pitch."

Real Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane

"It's an enormous loss for the world in general but above all for football. What he did in the 1986 World Cup is engraved in my mind. We feel awful about what happened today, we are very sad."

Former England striker Gary Lineker

"By some distance the best player of my generation and arguably the greatest of all time. After a blessed but troubled life, hopefully he'll finally find some comfort in the hands of God. #RipDiego"

Former Brazil striker Romario

"His time on earth brought a lot of happiness to his country and seduced us all. I'll never forget all the laughs we had. He was never an adversary for me."

Liverpool coach Jurgen Klopp

"I'm 53 years old, my entire life, he was a part of it. Diego was a sensational guy. Maradona had some struggles. I will miss both."

Manchester City coach Pep Guardiola

"There was a banner in Argentina that said: 'No matter what you have done with your life Diego, what matters is what you have done for our lives.'

"He gave a lot of joy and he made football better. What he did for Napoli and for Argentina in 1986 was something unbelievable. On the pitch he was unique. A once in a generation."

Portugal and Juventus forward Cristiano Ronaldo

"Today I say goodbye to a friend and the world says goodbye to an eternal genius. One of the best of our times. An unparalleled magician. He leaves too early but leaves a legacy without limits and a void that will never be filled. Rest in peace. You will never be forgotten."

Former Argentina star Osvaldo Ardiles

"He'll be remembered as a genius in football. You can see the extraordinary amount of interest he generates. People like Ronaldo or Messi, they couldn't even dream of having this kind of admiration."

Maradona's life in pictures

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