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Argentinian Soccer Legend Diego Maradona Dies at 60

Soccer great Diego Maradona flashes victory signs to fans below at the Casa Rosada government house in Buenos Aires after meeting with Argentina's president last December. Maradona died Wednesday at age 60.
Soccer great Diego Maradona flashes victory signs to fans below at the Casa Rosada government house in Buenos Aires after meeting with Argentina's president last December. Maradona died Wednesday at age 60.

Maradona rose from the slums of Buenos Aires to lead the Argentine national soccer team to World Cup glory, suffered from substance abuse and then had a spectacular second career as a coach.

Diego Armando Maradona, who rose from the slums of Buenos Aires to lead Argentina's national team to victory in the 1986 Men's Soccer World Cup, lost his way through substance abuse and then claimed new glory as a coach, died Wednesday at the age of 60 after suffering a heart attack at his home, according to his attorney.

Argentina's victory over West Germany in 1986 by a score of 3-2 made Maradona a national hero.

While Maradona did not score in the match he is credited with a pinpoint pass to fellow countryman Jorge Burruchaga who scored in the 86th minute, allowing Argentina to pull ahead for good.

Maradona had suffered from a series of recent health challenges after having brain surgery and being released from the hospital earlier this month, according to ESPN.

The sports network also reported the soccer legend previously battled addiction to drugs and alcohol.

At the club level Maradona played for Barcelona.

This story will be updated.

Copyright 2020 NPR. To see more, visit https://www.npr.org.

Brakkton Booker is a National Desk reporter based in Washington, DC.
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