Rival countries pay tribute
Maradona had some fierce rivalries on the field for Argentina – obviously near neighbours Brazil are high on the list. A 3-1 loss at the 1982 World Cup was followed by a 1-0 win at the 1990 World Cup, with the pass for Claudio Caniggia’s winner coming from Maradona.
Maradona also faced Italy twice at the World Cup – a 1-1 draw in the group stage in 1986 en route to the trophy, and the same scoreline after extra-time in the semi-final four years later, with Maradona scoring in the penalty shootout to help send Argentina to the final.
Both teams have sent their tributes today.
@azzurri: The football world mourns the passing of Diego Maradona, one of the all-time great champions.
Gravina: “His footballing genius was a work of art that will forever remain etched in history.”
@CBF_Futebol: O futebol está de luto. Diego Armando Maradona encantou o mundo com sua garra, irreverência e cumplicidade com a bola e os gramados. Um craque que contribuiu para disseminar a paixão dos sul-americanos pelo futebol.
