"The hand of God had deposited a genius of football on earth": Macron's lyrical tribute to Maradona

Emmanuel Macron is rarely the man of sober tributes.

But with the disappearance of Diego Maradona from a heart attack this Wednesday, we had rarely seen the presidency split such a lyrical statement to salute the memory of a deceased.

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Published a few hours after the announcement of the death of the Argentinian football legend, the text thus begins with a reference to the famous hand of God of Pibe de Oro, against England, during the World Cup-1986: "The hand of God had deposited a genius of football on earth.

She has just taken it from us, with an unforeseen dribble that has deceived all our defenses.

Did she want, with this gesture, to settle the debate of the century: is Diego Maradona the greatest football player of all time?

The tears of millions of orphans respond to it today with painful evidence ”.

Returning to the Argentinian's journey, from his poor childhood in Buenos Aires, from the 1986 World Cup to his successes in Naples which made Maradona a living quasi-God, the text still evokes the "sumptuous and unpredictable player" , it was.

"Dancer in crampons, not really an athlete, rather an artist, he embodied the magic of the game," continues the press release, which also plays it nostalgia, referring in particular to the Panini thumbnails of the time.

"Finally the Panini Mexico 1986 album with its thumbnail"

A very strong tribute, therefore, undoubtedly at the height of the worldwide emotion aroused by the announcement of the death of the one who will have made millions of football fans dream in the years 1980-1990.

Titles, but escapades also, which will have raised Diego Maradona to the rank of idol.

He who was undoubtedly seated at the table of the best players in the history of the sport.

"There was a King Pelé, there is now a God Diego," continues the Elysee, emphasizing its relationship with the supporters.

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“The President of the Republic salutes this undisputed sovereign of the round ball that the French have loved so much.

To all those who saved their pocket money to finally complete the Panini Mexico 1986 album with its sticker, to all those who tried to negotiate with their partner to baptize their son Diego, to his Argentinian compatriots, to the Neapolitans who drew frescoes worthy of Diego Riveira in his effigy, to all football lovers, the President of the Republic sends his heartfelt condolences, ”concludes Emmanuel Macron.

VIDEO.

Death of Maradona: Argentines celebrate the memory of "Diego"