Maradona had died after suffering a heart attack at his home in the suburbs of Buenos Aires, those close to him confirmed. Argentine President Alberto Fernandez declared three days of national mourning.
Rising to stardom from a grimy Buenos Aires slum to lead Argentina to World Cup victory, Maradona was a rags-to-riches story in his soccer-mad homeland and gained the iconic status of fellow Argentines Che Guevara and Evita Peron.
One of the most gifted soccer players in history, Maradona's pinnacle of glory came when he captained Argentina to win the World Cup in 1986 before plunging to misery when he was kicked out the 1994 World Cup for doping.
Years of drug use, overeating and alcoholism truncated a stellar career and altered his appearance from the lithe athlete who could slalom effortlessly through teams to a bloated addict who nearly died of cocaine-induced heart failure in 2000.
But he reinvented himself in a stunning comeback in 2008 as coach of the Argentina team, persuading managers that with sheer charisma he could inspire the team to victory, despite a lack of coaching experience.
A magician with the ball - deceptively quick and a visionary passer - Maradona is considered by some as the greatest soccer player ever, edging out that other great, Brazil's Pele. In Argentina, he was worshipped as 'El Dios' - The God - partly a play on words on his number 10 shirt, 'El Diez.'
He was largely responsible for Argentina's World Cup victory in 1986 in Mexico, scoring two famous goals in one game against England in the quarterfinals.
The first was a notorious goal scored with his fist, and the second, where he dribbled past half the England team, is often called the goal of the century.
It was partly by the hand of God and partly with the head of Maradona, he said of his opener in the 2-1 win.
Diese Geschichte stammt aus der November - December 2020-Ausgabe von Cochin Herald.
Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.
Bereits Abonnent ? Anmelden
Diese Geschichte stammt aus der November - December 2020-Ausgabe von Cochin Herald.
Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.
Bereits Abonnent? Anmelden
A Roadmap Out Of Pandemic, The Kerala Way
When India was just waking up to the news of COVID-19, Kerala was ready to tackle it. Here is a look at how they got through the first wave and what is in store for the newly elected government
KK Shailaja The wall of resilience and hope
“Hard times don’t create heroes. It is during the hard times when the ‘hero’ within us is revealed”, said American politician Bob Riley once, and it comes true for KK Shailaja, who helmed the health ministry in the State of Kerala when the COVID-19 pandemic unleashed its rage on humanity. From a humble background in Kannur, she was known as the nonchalant Physics teacher, whose eyes always gleamed with kindness. After announcing retirement from her position as a teacher in 2004, she went on a quest for wider horizons and to serve society as a political leader. It was her unassuming persona that made her seamlessly leave a strong impression in the minds of every person she passed by to be fondly called ‘teacher’.
Protest and reflection: A year after the death of George Floyd
Bettye and Robert Freeman were sitting in their Boston living room when they heard the clamor on the street outside.
When sky becomes the only limit
Model-actress and doctor, Anita Abraham, who hails from Chengannur, Kerala, has come a long way over the years. The multitalented Anita was brought up outside Kerala and pursued her studies, as a child in Arunachal Pradesh. The zeal for scaling the pinnacle of fame and success was so ingrained in her that it prompted her to embark on umpteen number of itineraries and equally showcase her prowess in all the endeavours she undertook.
‘C 4': Kerala's success mantra to contain COVID
Kerala continues to win in the game and can be a learning model for days to come for all. The state has done homework in developing clear-cut strategies in fighting this pandemic. Early detection of cases, enough oxygen plants, systematic coordination of ASHA workers and frontliners to name a few. I had the personal experience, of visiting the COVID testing and vaccination clinics with my parents. On top of that, the government ensured the vaccine available for the public is free of cost.
US agencies examine reports of early COVID-19 infections in Wuhan lab
US intelligence agencies are examining reports that researchers at a Chinese virology laboratory were seriously ill in 2019 a month before the first cases of COVID-19 were reported, according to US government sources who cautioned that there is still no proof the disease originated at the lab.
Vaccine hesitancy grows ahead of Thailand's mass inoculation rollout
Vaccine hesitancy has risen sharply in Thailand opinion polls show, just weeks away from the start of a mass inoculation programme and as the country fights its deadliest COVID-19 outbreak.
On the mighty road to lifting stereotypes
Letting go of one's big-city dreams and moving to a small city is a tough step for many. Mumbaikar Nithya Suresh too lived through the strange void of adapting to the slow-paced life of Kochi city after she moved out of Mumbai, three years ago. But as she was exploring her new life in a new city, Nithya found love in the unlikeliest form - Powerlifting.
Immune system has long-term defenses after mild COVID-19; children may be key carriers of virus variants
The following is a roundup of some of the latest scientific studies on the novel coronavirus and efforts to find treatments and vaccines for COVID19, the illness caused by the virus.
'Try anything': Japan's silverhaired cheer-dancing squad
Pompoms rustle and silver shoes flash as Japan Pom Pom practices, moving to a lively cheer dance beat. With members ages 60 to 89, they're no ordinary squad.
