The moment Diego Maradona died, was another nail in the coffin of one of the toughest years many remembered.
After the death of Kobe Bryant, the Coronavirus pandemic, and the severe hit the game succumbed, of months of playing behind closed doors, of financial losses, of clubs and players in danger.
But with Diego, it means more.
Diego Armando Maradona was some kind the last survivor of a type of football world that is no longer relevant. That animalistic, intuitive, lively, ruthless game that all of us, football fans, people fell in love with when we were young.
It wasn’t a surprise as his health condition wasn’t at best for a long time, but still, when the person who was in charge for few of football greatest moments is bidding farewell, the world reacts and moves.
His career was full of impossible and divine picks that on the same time were actually true human contradictions.
The beginning in Argentinos Juniors; The hand of God against England in 1986 World Cup in Mexico; the goal that came afterwards; the brawl with Athletic Bilbao in his last game in Barce; the years in Napoli and his impact on Southern Italy; the relationship with the mafia; the Italy ‘90 World Cup; the drugs; the scandals; the friendship with Fidel Castro; the goal in 1994 World Cup; the return to Boca Juniors; the rehab; the coaching career; the latest years; the end.
In Argentina, he’s called Dios - god. Then Diego, el pibe (the kid). Then - Maradona.
Oil and water.
Fire and ice.
Day and night.
Poor and rich.
Left and right.
Right and wrong.
Low and high.
A hero and an enemy.
Victorious and a loser.
Light and shadow.
Highs and low.
Diego and Maradona.
Diego Armando Maradona was everything, always with a football by his legs.
Everyone who loved football, who played the game, even once, had a bit of Maradona inside of him.
— Uri Levy (@Levyninho) November 25, 2020
Maradona is dead.
Part of football is dead.
Love him or hate him, it's a sad day.
La Bombonera, now.
— BabaGol (@BabaGol_) November 26, 2020
One sole light from the biz of Diego, during the whole night.
😢 pic.twitter.com/VBYP8SOFPE
Thousands of Argentina fans transformed Times Square before the 2026 World Cup final, all united to thank Lionel Messi.
Egypt pushed Argentina to the limit in a 3-2 World Cup thriller, but left the pitch furious at the referee and convinced justice was denied.
With another war looming, Iranian football is already deeply hurt: lost season, home games played abroad, and clubs at risk of collapse.
The Saudi-hosted Asian Cup is postponed to December 2027 amid the Houthi conflict. All the details behind the decision.
As protests sweep France, the banlieues that produce the football stars also fuel the unrest. This is the paradox of French society now.
Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia put the January 2027 Asian Cup in doubt, with a delay to 2028 or a move to Qatar discussed behind the scenes.
Three years after Lior Asulin was murdered on October 7, Bnei Sakhnin hold a ceremony and game for the hero of their 2004 State Cup win. Why now?
Ivory Coast edged Nigeria 3-2 in the final of a solidarity tournament among eight African teams, organised by Sudanese refugees in Tel Aviv.
Hapoel Be’er Sheva fans were barred from AZ Alkmaar. Why does the country with deep Jewish football roots now refuse to host Israeli supporters?
Cairo’s derby drew a record number of crowd for the first time in years, as Al Ahly and Zamalek fans united in October War banners and Israel chants.
Manchester City’s guilty verdict is spilling into geopolitics, as Abu Dhabi hints at curbing UAE investment in Britain over the club’s fate.
Israel's national team finished bottom of its Nations League group, as politically charged clashes versus Ireland overshadowed the campaign.
Israel opens a homeless Nations League campaign against Austria, Kosovo, and Ireland, with the Gaza conflict looming over every match played.
Hapoel Be'er Sheva drew 0-0 at Dinamo Zagreb to open their Europa League return, ahead of a brutal schedule and no home matches this season.
Maccabi Tel Aviv routed ten-man Hapoel 4-1 at Bloomfield, in a fiery derby marked by red cards and pyro chaos.
For the first time since Oct. 7, 2023, Palestinian club football returns this weekend as 226 teams compete across three war-scarred regions.
After nine years at Liverpool, Salah left for Trabzonspor — the money, the family, and the love of being the underdog all played their part.
Spain defeated Argentina 1-0 in the 2026 World Cup Final, ending Lionel Messi's dream World Cup with heartbreak.
Thousands of Argentina fans transformed Times Square before the 2026 World Cup final, all united to thank Lionel Messi.
Spain were ruthless in Dallas as Oyarzabal and Dani Olmo starred, leaving France's Bastille Day to end in deep disappointment for Deschamps.
Norway outplayed England for most of a sweltering Miami classic, but two Bellingham strikes in extra time sent the Three Lions to the semis.
Egypt pushed Argentina to the limit in a 3-2 World Cup thriller, but left the pitch furious at the referee and convinced justice was denied.
Ayoub Bouaddi chose Morocco over France at 18 and lit up a quarter-final about colonial history, dual identity, and what it means to belong.
Merino's late goal gave Spain a 1-0 win over Portugal as Ronaldo left the World Cup stage in tears in what many believe was his final match.
Egypt beat Australia on penalties in Dallas to reach the last 16 for the first time, with Salah's Panenka the highlight of a historic night.
Diop headed Morocco level in the 91st minute and Saibari slotted the winner in the shootout as Morocco reached the World Cup quarter-finals.
Messi and the Jordanian Messi both scored as Argentina beat Jordan 3-1 in Arlington, with records broken and keffiyehs flying in the stands.
France beat Iraq 3-0 in Philadelphia, but the two-hour lightning delay stole the show, making it officially the longest World Cup game ever.
Saibari scored inside two minutes as Morocco beat Scotland 1-0 in Boston, leaving the Scots on the very brink of 2026 World Cup elimination.
Senegal relived their legendary 2002 magic for an hour, but Kylian Mbappe struck twice to sink them and seal France's 3-1 win in New Jersey.
Qatar stole a last-gasp draw from Switzerland and Morocco held Brazil 1-1 — two results that announced Arab football’s full arrival at 2026.
Azteca stadium hosts its third World Cup as Mexico City buzzes with pride, protest, and the deep belief that football has always lived here.
Spain defeated Argentina 1-0 in the 2026 World Cup Final, ending Lionel Messi's dream World Cup with heartbreak.