Argentina legend Diego Maradona dies aged 60

Maradona was discharged from hospital a fortnight ago following brain surgery. The Argentina and Napoli great had undergone a routine operation for a subdural haematoma after being admitted to hospital due to concerns over anaemia and dehydration.

But it was announced by the Argentine Football Association (AFA) on Wednesday that the former midfielder had passed away.

"The Argentine Football Association, through its President Claudio Tapia, expresses its deepest sorrow for the death of our legend, Diego Armando Maradona." the AFA tweeted.

La Asociación del Fútbol Argentino, a través de su Presidente Claudio Tapia, manifiesta su más profundo dolor por el fallecimiento de nuestra leyenda, Diego Armando Maradona.Siempre estarás en nuestros corazones pic.twitter.com/xh6DdfCFed

— AFA (@afa) November 25, 2020

No cause of death was stated, but it has been reported he suffered a heart attack.

Maradona, the captain and inspiration behind Argentina's World Cup success in 1986 before going on to coach his country, had been hospitalised just days after turning 60.

He appeared in a fragile state when he briefly made an appearance as his Gimnasia y Esgrima La Plata side played a match on the evening of his birthday last month.

The mercurial Maradona won 91 caps for his country between 1977 and 1994, scoring 34 goals at international level.

He started his career with Argentinos Juniors before joining Boca Juniors and went on to play for Barcelona, Napoli, Sevilla and Newell's Old Boys before returning to Boca in 1995.

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. Rest in peace Diego

— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) November 25, 2020

Maradona had the best years of his club career in Italy, playing a massive part in Napoli winning the Serie A title in the 1986-87 and 1989-90 seasons.

Playmaker Maradona also lifted the UEFA Cup with Napoli in 1989 and he won three trophies during his time at Barca – including the Copa del Rey in 1983.

Argentina and Barca captain Lionel Messi once said of Maradona, who coached him during his tenure as coach of La Albiceleste.

"Even if I played for a million years, I'd never come close to Maradona. Not that I'd want to anyway. He's the greatest there's ever been," Messi said.

Maradona was named player of the tournament at Mexico 86, with arguably his most memorable performance coming in a quarter-final defeat of England in which he scored what is referred to as the 'Hand of God' goal - punching the ball over the advancing Peter Shilton - before showing his class with a magnificent solo strike.

He also led his country to the World Cup final four years later in Italy, where West Germany were crowned champions, and captained Argentina again at the 1994 showpiece in the United States, but was sent home for failing a drugs test.

Maradona had already been banned for 15 months after testing positive for cocaine in 1991.