Gary Lineker and Harry Kane join Liverpool and Real Madrid in tributes to Diego Maradona

It was during the blistering hot summer of ’86 when he announced himself as one of the greatest players to ever grace a football pitch as he practically dragged Argentina over the finish line.

He went on to score one of the all-time great goals in the same game

He went on to score one of the all-time great goals in the same game
His performance against England in the quarter-final stage perhaps typified why ‘El Diego’ was one of the most intriguing characters in sport. As well as a slaloming run and finish widely considered the best goal ever, the diminutive midfielder punched the ball into the English net past a despondent Peter Shilton.

Lineker, who started and scored at the Estadio Azteca in Mexico City, was one of the first to pay tribute to the legend.

“Reports from Argentina that Diego Armando Maradona has died,” he wrote. “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.

“[It’s sad] to lose friends this way,” Pele said. “Certainly one day we’ll kick a ball together in the sky above.”

Former Spain goalkeeper and fellow World Cup winner Iker Casillas tweeted that it was a ‘sad day for football’, describing Maradona as a ‘genius of this sport’.

‘El Diego’ won the World Cup with Argentina and then managed the side in 2010

‘El Diego’ won the World Cup with Argentina and then managed the side in 2010
Boca Juniors, where Maradona made his name before securing a then world-record transfer to Barcelona, tweeted: “Eternal thanks. Eternal Diego.”

Football clubs around the world also paid tribute to Maradona.

Manchester City posted a photo of him embracing Sergio Aguero, adding: “We’re joining the footballing world in saying farewell to one of the absolute greats.”

And Liverpool tweeted: “A true great of the game. Rest in peace, Diego Maradona.”

Real Madrid — great rivals of one of Maradona’s former clubs, Barcelona — paid tribute to ‘one of the greatest players in all history’.

“Diego Armando Maradona leaves an immense legacy, which has become a myth for millions of fans around the world,” the club said in a statement.

England captain Harry Kane tweeted a picture of himself with Maradona at Spurs’ stadium, adding: “Privileged to have met him. Very sad news. RIP Diego Maradona.”