The famous Argentine football star Diego Maradona died of a heart attack at home on the 25th local time at the age of 60. After the news of his death came out, leaders of many countries expressed their nostalgia and condolences to him. Apart from the legendary football achievements and some controversies, the friendship between Maradona and the left-wing leaders of Latin America has once again come under the spotlight.
Mourning from Latin America to Eurasia
Behind Maradona, he enjoyed extremely high treatment in his native Argentina. The Presidential Palace of Argentina (Casa Rosada) issued an announcement on the 25th, announcing that the country has entered a three-day mourning period from now on. In addition, Maradona’s coffin will be parked in the Argentine Presidential Palace for three days starting on the 26th for public admiration.
Argentine President Alberto Fernandez and Vice President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner both mourned the national football superstar on social media Twitter. Alberto wrote: “You brought us to the top of the world. You brought us infinite happiness. You are the greatest. Thank you for ever being, Diego. We will miss you all our lives.”
At the same time, many left-wing politicians in Latin America publicly mourned the death of Maradona. Venezuelan President Maduro wrote on Twitter: “You (Maradona) will always stay in my heart and mind. I can hardly express my feelings in words now.” Maduro also shared a paragraph A short video of his video conference with Maradona during the 2018 World Cup in Russia.
According to the Russian Satellite News Agency, Maduro also said that Maradona had secretly helped deliver food to Venezuela, which was subject to US sanctions. During the two previous meetings, Maradona promised to help Venezuela solve this problem. In addition, Venezuelan Vice President Rodriguez, Chairman of the Constituent Assembly Cabello, Foreign Minister Arreaza, and Culture Minister Villegas all expressed condolences to Maradona on social media.
According to reports from Sputnik News Agency and Argentina’s “Clarion”, the Latin American left-wing leaders who publicly mourned Maradona or sent condolences to the Argentine government also included Cuban President Diaz-Canel, Mexican President Lopez, and Brazil. Former Presidents Lula and Rousseff, former President Morales of Bolivia, former President Lugo of Paraguay, former President Mujica of Uruguay and former Vice President Topolanski and others.
Brazil and Argentina are rivals on the football field, but this does not affect the memory of Brazilian politicians. Lula said that Maradona is Brazil’s biggest opponent, and may not be one of them, but he is also a great friend of Brazil. Lula also specifically mentioned Maradona’s “commitment to Latin American sovereignty.”
The range of leaders commemorating Maradona is not limited to Latin America, nor is it limited to the left. Spain’s center-left prime minister Sanchez, Argentina’s former president and center-right Macri, as well as Indian Prime Minister Modi and Vice President Naidu also expressed their condolences to the legendary star.
French President Macron published a long article full of emotions, beginning with: “God’s hand put a football genius into the world, and now it takes him away from us.” Macron also said, yes. Maradona paid tribute to the “indisputable monarch of football” “loved by many French people”.
The Roman Catholic Pope Francis is Argentine and a famous football fan. According to Reuters, a Vatican spokesperson said that Francis recalled the meeting with Maradona and would commemorate him with prayers. The official Vatican news network referred to Maradona as the “poeta del calcio” (poeta del calcio).
“Great friend” of Castro, hero of Argentina
The mourning of multinational leaders to Maradona not only reflects Maradona’s huge influence in the football circle, but also shows his political activity. Many media reports pointed out that Maradona has a deep friendship with many left-wing leaders in Latin America.
Maradona is the son of a factory worker and grew up in a slum on the outskirts of the capital Buenos Aires. According to reports from “Foreign Policy” and Reuters, Maradona once supported the then Argentine President Menem who implemented neoliberal reforms, but has since gradually “turned left.” He forged friendships with Cuban revolutionary leader Fidel Castro, former Venezuelan President Chavez, and former Bolivian President Morales. He has the portraits of Castro and the Latin American revolutionary Che Guevara. Tattoo, also attended the funeral of Chavez and Castro.
Among them, the friendship between Maradona and Castro has received particular attention. Maradona visited Cuba for the first time in 1987 to meet Castro. Since then, he went to Cuba to receive treatment for drug treatment, alcoholism and obesity several times from 2000 to 2005.
During this period, he met Castro Under friendship, he also called Castro “My second father.” Castro once commented: “Diego is a great friend and very noble. There is no doubt that he is an excellent player and maintains a friendship with Cuba. He himself has not gained anything from it. interest.”
On November 25, after the news of Maradona’s death came out, Cuban President Diaz Canel tweeted that Maradona was a “sincere friend and an excellent football player” and Fidel Castro died on the same day four years ago, “this is a double painful day.”
Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez said on the same day: “His (Maradona) friendship with Cuba, especially Fidel, made him a part of the Cuban people.”
Maradona also said in 2018 that he was considering participating in the presidential election as the running partner of the former president of Argentina and the center-left Cristina Fernández (currently vice president).
He said: “Fidel told me that I should devote myself to politics.”
As a supporter of Latin American left-wing leaders, Maradona has also bluntly expressed disgust towards the United States. In 2007, Maradona said in Chavez’s TV show: “I hate everything from the United States, and I hate it with all my strength.”
Maradona has been denied visas by the United States many times. The media analyzed this may be Because of his drug use record, it may also be related to politics.
Regarding the dispute between left and right in Latin America, Maradona is undoubtedly a national hero for the Argentine people. In 1982, Argentina lost in the Falklands War with Britain.
In the quarter-finals of the 1986 World Cup four years later, Argentina defeated England by 2:1 with Maradona’s “five consecutive” and “Hand of God” goals.
Macron’s eulogy also called this game “the most geopolitical game in football history.” In the 1986 World Cup, Argentina finally won the championship.
An article on the 25th in “Foreign Policy”, a US media focusing on international affairs, commented that Maradona almost single-handedly helped Argentina restore its confidence in the mid-1980s.
Legendary star Maradona passed away. Local fans spontaneously organized memorial activities.
On November 25, Argentine legendary star Diego Maradona died at the age of 60. Local fans spontaneously organized memorial activities.
I am now in Tigre, Argentina, at the door of the residence of Maradona, the “King of Balls” of Argentina. Here, the local prosecutor in Argentina has announced to the media that no obvious violence has been found in Maradona’s residence.
At the same time, Maradona’s body has also been transported out. According to relevant Argentine media reports, more related memorial activities will be held in Maradona at the Argentine presidential palace in the future.
On the same day, the gate of Maradona’s residence was strictly controlled by the police, and the road was temporarily controlled. Nevertheless, a large number of fans came here to mourn.
Argentine fan Marcelo: He brought a lot of happiness to my father and my family. He moved us very much at the ’86 and 90 World Cups. When we were eliminated in the ’94 World Cup, I cried with him. He did a lot for Argentine football.
Many fans went to the city landmarks or the stadiums and training grounds associated with Maradona to hold memorial activities.
Argentine fan Juan: Maradona will always live in our hearts. My family and I have always loved him to support him. Proud of him, he will always be the greatest player.
