Argentina mourns after the death of Diego Maradona

M.illion people all over the world mourn Diego Maradona, especially in Argentina. Stunned by the death of their football legend, many in his country burst into tears on Wednesday. Thousands of people gathered in the capital Buenos Aires at the La Bombonera stadium of its former club Boca Juniors and at the obelisk in the city center to commemorate their idol. River Plate’s supportive cry was comforted by rival Boca fans. The electronic billboards above the city highway and in the subway entrances read: “Thanks Diego”.

Maradona died Wednesday of a heart attack at his home in Tigre, north of Buenos Aires, at the age of only 60. The doctors called could not revive him. The autopsy revealed acute heart failure and subsequent pulmonary edema. After the emergency call, nine ambulances stood in front of his new property. Nobody could have rushed here in time. He was released from the hospital two weeks ago after doctors operated on him there for a brain hemorrhage.

“Today is a very sad day for all Argentines,” head of state Alberto Fernández told TyC Sports TV channel. “Diego represented Argentina in the world, he filled us with joy, and we will never be able to repay him”. The president ordered a three-day state mourning. “I have a great friend and the world has lost a legend,” the Brazilian idol of Seleção Pele (80) wrote on Twitter. “I hope that one day we will be able to play football together in paradise”.

In front of the entrance to the Bombonera on the Boca seafront, fans lit candles, placed flowers and hung rosaries. “He is a legend. We will miss him,” said a woman named Patricia on TN TV. She sat on the floor, hugging her son and holding back tears. “He will be remembered as the greatest”. Diego, a fan of Maradona, said: “This is a hard blow. He was the greatest player in history. There will never be someone like him again.”

From Thursday the Argentines can greet Maradona in the Casa Rosada government building. This honor was last bestowed on former President Néstor Kirchner ten years ago. In the midst of the crown pandemic, the Argentine government now expects up to one million mourners. In view of the crown pandemic, the authorities have called on people to respect protective measures. On the balcony of the Maradona residence she celebrated herself as world champion in 1986, but she also allowed herself to be consoled in 1990 after the final lost against Germany.

After Maradona’s death, the body was placed in the government building in the capital Buenos Aires. The coffin with the remains was taken to Casa Rosada by ambulance Thursday night, local media reported. Thousands of people lined up before dawn to greet Maradona. Family members and close friends had already been admitted, it was said.

When the gates opened early in the morning (local time), after a security check, fans passed the coffin covered with an Argentine flag to pay their final respects to their idol. Many cried, others threw the jerseys with the number 10 over the barrier, as seen in the television images. “Gracias Diego, gracias!” (Thanks Diego, thanks!) A crying man cried as he passed the coffin.