91�ȱ�

Brazilian Romario's tribute to Maradona:

"My friend is gone. Maradona, the legend! The Argentine who conquered the world with the ball at his feet, but also for his joy and unique personality. I have already said a few times, of the players I saw on the pitch, he was the best."

More from Brazil legend Pele.

"What sad news. I lost a great friend and the world lost a legend. There is still much to be said, but for now, may God give strength to family members. One day, I hope we can play ball together in the sky."

John Murray
91�ȱ� Radio 5 Live commentator

Wherever you go in Naples, in every establishment, there's something there acknowledging Diego Maradona. In the 80's there was quite a rivalry between southern and northern Italy, and he chose Naples. He found it was the city that really suited him because he came from a background of abject poverty. Naples felt downtrodden in the 80's and he came along, to a football-mad city, and similarly hauled the team to the greatest spell of footballing success that Napoli has ever had.

Brazilian star Neymar and his great friend Maradona.

Argentina's President Alberto Fernandez paid homage to Maradona, calling him "the greatest of them all".

Writing on his Twitter account, the Argentine leader said of Maradona: "You took us to the top of the world. You made us immensely happy. You were the greatest of them all.

"Thank you for having existed, Diego. We are going to miss you all our lives."

Former Argentina international, World Cup winner and ex-Tottenham player Ossie Ardiles thanks Maradona for his "friendship".

John Murray
91�ȱ� Radio 5 Live commentator

What a talent - what an incredible footballing talent that puts him on that level, up there with the best of them. He almost single handedly drove Argentina to World Cup success. But what a character as well - he was almost like the Pied Piper. What a character, not one that we see very often.

John Murray
91�ȱ� Radio 5 Live commentator

I can hardly imagine how this news will be greeted in Argentina, where he had almost God-like status for what he did. For anyone who's 50 or older, they'll remember a time when Pele was the undisputed greatest player ever, until Maradona came along. Argentina had a decent team in 1986 but he was by far and away the great talent, the great star, and he led them, he hauled them, to that World Cup victory.

Enjoy.

Jamaican Olympic legend Usain Bolt posted this tribute on his Twitter account.

91�ȱ� Radio 5 Live
John Murray, senior football correspondent

With someone like Diego Maradona it would be tempting to say you don't know where to start but in this country you clearly have to start with the 'Hand of God' goal.

What an incredible life this man led. It was a soap opera. He had god-like status in Argentina. His place in the game is right up there at the very top.

Brazil legend Pele has issued a brief statement which read: "One day we'll kick a ball together in the sky above."

More leading tributes here.

Image source, Getty Images

Dazzling, infamous, extraordinary, genius, outrageous. Diego Maradona. A flawed football icon.

One of the game's most gifted players, the Argentine boasted a rare combination of flair, flamboyance, vision and speed which mesmerised fans.

He also outraged supporters with his controversial 'Hand of God' goal and plunged into a mire of drug abuse and personal crises off the pitch.

Read our obituary here.

Image source, Getty Images

England captain Harry Kane and Manchester United striker Marcus Rashford have paid tributes.

Shihab: I remember watching this match live as a wee lad.. though England lost, this guy made me fall in love with football.

Jack Gooner Walker: True legend of our game.

Gary Rob: A Great with Argentina, A God with Napoli, One of the greatest ever.

Image source, Getty Images

Diego Maradona played for Napoli between 1984-1991, making 188 appearances.

91�ȱ� Sport chief football writer

Diego Armando Maradona will figure in any discussion about who was the greatest footballer to have played the game whenever football’s history is discussed.

The legendary Brazilian Pele and his fellow Argentine Lionel Messi will be other points of reference – but many will believe they can make an irrefutable and compelling case that the maestro Maradona rose above them all.

Mexico’s 1986 World Cup - coming after he was treated brutally by opponents in Spain four years earlier - will always be Maradona’s tournament, inspiring Argentina’s unspectacular, workmanlike squad to victory, scoring twice in the quarter-final against England and semi-final against Belgium before the final win against West Germany.

Maradona revelled in his role as “The Hand Of God” villain after that victory against England in the Azteca Stadium but his brilliance, pace, strength, audacity and just about every other gift one could wish for in a truly great player transcended all and won over footballing friend and foe alike.

Yes, we knew his many flaws but Maradona will always be remembered for his football.

Football has lost one of its towering figures, a player and a name that will be synonymous with the game whenever and wherever it is played.

Football clubs around the world have written messages on Twitter.

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

"You will always be in our hearts".

Argentine giants Boca Juniors have also paid tribute.