Sports World Pays Tribute to Diego Maradona: 'The World Has Lost a Legend'

Numerous athletes and teams around the world paid tribute to Diego Maradona on social media to celebrate his life and masterful career.

Soccer lost one of its biggest icons on Wednesday when Argentinian legend Diego Maradona died at the age of 60.

Maradona, who captained his nation to the 1986 men's World Cup title, is widely considered to be one of the greatest players of all time. The Argentine Football Association confirmed he died of a heart attack.

Brazilian legend Pelé was one of the first soccer stars to honor Maradona after the news of his death broke.

"I have lost a dear friend, and the world has lost a legend. One day, I hope, we will play soccer together in the sky," Pelé said, per Bleacher Report.

Maradona underwent surgery to remove a blood clot on his brain on Nov. 4 and was released from the hospital eight days later and began to rehab at home.

The Argentinian is one of the most decorated stars in soccer history. He tallied 259 career goals in nearly two decades of club competition and recorded 34 goals in 91 caps for the Argentina national team. His nine World Cup goals rank No. 9 all time, and only three players have logged more World Cup caps. 

Maradona is perhaps best known for his performance at the 1986 World Cup, where Argentina defeated West Germany in the final in Mexico. His "Hand of God" goal against England in the quarterfinal remains one of the most controversial in World Cup history, and his run through the England defense minutes later is known as "The Goal of the Century."

Countless athletes and teams around the world paid tribute to Maradona on social media to celebrate his life and masterful career.

Que notícia triste. Eu perdi um grande amigo e o mundo perdeu uma lenda. Ainda há muito a ser dito, mas por agora, que Deus dê força para os familiares. Um dia, eu espero que possamos jogar bola juntos no céu. pic.twitter.com/6Li76HTikA

— Pelé (@Pele) November 25, 2020

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A post shared by Leo Messi (@leomessi)

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A post shared by Cristiano Ronaldo (@cristiano)

Se fue un grande del Futbol Argentino Diego Armando Maradona nos ha dejado el día de, a través de este medio quiero hacer llegar mis más sentidas palabras de condolencias para todos sus familiares y amigos .
Vuela alto Diego , QEPD. pic.twitter.com/dR5JrzREJ1

— Mario Kempes (@ESPNMarioKempes) November 25, 2020

Eternamente Gracias Diego por todo lo que nos diste!!!
Descansá en paz. Te lo ganaste de sobra 😢 pic.twitter.com/mz5sdcALcr

— Javier Mascherano (@Mascherano) November 25, 2020

Mon idole est décédée,
RIP Diego Armando Maradona, my first ever football shirt, the man behind my love for football
Gracias El Pibe 💔
🇦🇷 🇦🇷 🇦🇷 🇦🇷 🇦🇷 pic.twitter.com/Xns3Z72pxt

— Didier Drogba (@didierdrogba) November 25, 2020

Privileged to have met him. Very sad news. RIP Diego Maradona. pic.twitter.com/x2LcIeQPqr

— Harry Kane (@HKane) November 25, 2020

Hasta siempre, Diego.

Serás #Eterno en cada corazón del planeta fútbol. pic.twitter.com/jcsGP3GlNI

— 🇦🇷 Selección Argentina ⭐⭐⭐ (@Argentina) November 25, 2020

RIP to legend #Maradona 🙏🏿 pic.twitter.com/U9KdyRhGBE

— Usain St. Leo Bolt (@usainbolt) November 25, 2020

We're joining the footballing world in saying farewell to one of the absolute greats.

RIP Diego Maradona 💙 pic.twitter.com/n16SGF3KXn

— Manchester City (@ManCity) November 25, 2020

MARADONA RIP🙏🙏🙏🙏

— Luka Doncic (@luka7doncic) November 25, 2020

Rest in peace, Legend. 🙏

Diego Maradona. 🖤 pic.twitter.com/Ftw1h1TNuc

— Paris Saint-Germain (@PSG_inside) November 25, 2020

The soccer community lost a legend.

Rest In Peace Maradona ❤️ pic.twitter.com/IDOa86pE7z

— Atlanta United FC (@ATLUTD) November 25, 2020

Rest in Peace Maradona 👑🙏🏼🙏🏼 DEP🇦🇷 pic.twitter.com/B67dIrnPdX

— Kristaps Porzingis (@kporzee) November 25, 2020

Per Sempre 💙
Ciao Diego pic.twitter.com/LzppqlBqLV

— Official SSC Napoli (@sscnapoli) November 25, 2020

Rest in peace, Diego Armando Maradona. You are eternal. pic.twitter.com/qHN7Qc4oxa

— Johan Cruyff (@JohanCruyff) November 25, 2020

Reports from Argentina that Diego Armando Maradona has died. 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

— Gary Lineker (@GaryLineker) November 25, 2020

RIP Diego, a true footballing icon. #Maradona pic.twitter.com/Lcuz01D0eA

— Theo Walcott (@theowalcott) November 25, 2020

Today we lost one of the greatest of all time.

Rest in peace, Diego #Maradona 💚 pic.twitter.com/aaBmwdlxBN

— SV Werder Bremen EN (@werderbremen_en) November 25, 2020

Today, we lost one of the greatest footballers of all time.

Rest in peace, Diego #Maradona 🙏 pic.twitter.com/6AQoSxzMXQ

— FC Schalke 04 (@s04_en) November 25, 2020

Almost a Blade at 17. RIP Diego. ❤️

Sheffield United are joining the football world in saying farewell to one of the greatest players to have ever played the beautiful game, Diego Maradona. pic.twitter.com/zOexhEKMhI

— Sheffield United (@SheffieldUnited) November 25, 2020

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RIP Legend.
You will stay in the history of football forever. Thanks you for all the pleasure you gave to the whole world 🙌🏽🙏🏽❤️

AÏE AÏE AÏE F*CKING 2020 😭😭😭 pic.twitter.com/8xc1CDKDg2

— Kylian Mbappé (@KMbappe) November 25, 2020

The world lost one of the greatest soccer players that ever lived Diego Maradona. It was one of the thrills of my life when I got to meet him. Rest In Peace my friend and my prayers go out to his family. 🙏🏾 pic.twitter.com/SgQvij7a72

— Earvin Magic Johnson (@MagicJohnson) November 25, 2020

Along with the rest of the world, @MLS mourns the passing of legendary Argentine player Diego Armando Maradona, one of the best to ever play the game. pic.twitter.com/pP8EL0HK18

— Don Garber (@thesoccerdon) November 25, 2020

The Hand of God, Maradona has left us. In 86 we both won our championships. They use to compare the two of us. He was one of my hero’s and a friend. I respected him so much. He will be greatly missed. pic.twitter.com/E5j6DSfJas

— Mike Tyson (@MikeTyson) November 25, 2020