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Former England midfielder Peter Reid added: "If he was playing well on the day, he was very difficult to stop. If he had one weakness, it was that he had no right foot, but with the gem of a left foot he had, he didn't need one. His balance and his strength, he just went through us.

"If you ask anybody in Argentina who the best is, they'll say Diego Maradona. And Lionel Messi is an Argentine, so I think that says it all."

Chelsea have tweeted a great video of Diego Maradona visiting the Blues' Cobham training ground.

Everybody wanted a photograph with the footballing icon.

Uefa president Aleksander Ceferin: "I am deeply saddened to hear of the death of Diego Maradona, one of world football’s greatest and most iconic figures.

"He achieved greatness as a wonderful player with a genius and charisma of his own."

Lionel Messi has just posted this tribute on Instagram:

"A very sad day for all Argentines and football. He leaves us but does not leave, because Diego is eternal. "I keep all the beautiful moments lived with him and I send my condolences to all his family and friends. RIP."

Diego Maradona's obituary in video.

"My first football hero", says former Manchester United and England defender Rio Ferdinand.

BBC Radio 5 Live

Peter Reid was on the England team in 1986, when Diego Maradona scored both goals in the World Cup quarter-final.

He said: "As bad as the first goal was, with cheating, the second one is a man who was at the height of his abilities and talent, and quite simply, he was one of the best players ever to walk the planet.

"It's ironic that he's died on the same day as another great, George Best, and being an Englishman we have some regrets about the handball, but Diego Maradona, whatever you say, was a great, great player."

How do you describe such a life? Hopefully these pictures tell some of the story of his astonishing career.

Image source, Getty Images

An iconic photo.

Image source, Getty Images

Tim Vickery
BBC Sport South American football expert

In the history of football's World Cup, it is arguable that no player has ever hit the heights achieved by Argentina's Diego Maradona in 1986.

Brazil's Pele, usually seen as Maradona's rival in the quest to be considered the best ever, won the competition three times surrounded by colleagues of outstanding quality.

But many football fans would struggle to name many of Maradona's team-mates from 1986.

In game after game in the Mexican sunshine Maradona was an individual genius and a collective strategist.

He produced the pass that won the final against West Germany and was perhaps at his best in the semi-final against Belgium, where he scored twice.

But it is the quarter-final against England that stands as the defining moment of his life. In the build up to the game much was made of the war between the two countries in the Falkland Islands just four years earlier. From the Argentine point of view the symbolism went much deeper.

Read more here.

"A legend of our game", writes the England National team.

The president of Argentina, Alberto Fernandez, has declared three days of national mourning.

Image source, Getty Images

Germany's former World Cup winner Lothar Matthaus has paid tribute on Instagram.

Diego Maradona once said of Matthaus in his book: "He is the best rival I've ever had. I guess that's enough to define him."

The King of Naples.

Liverpool's god to Argentina's god.

BBC Radio 5 Live
Pat Nevin, former Scotland and Chelsea winger

There's a very good argument that he was the most skilful player to ever play the game. Incredible what he did - I remember when I was in my late teens I would wait up and stay up late to see Italian or international football just to get a glimpse of him.

The things that he did for Napoli as well as his country - three days of mourning in Argentina, what other footballer would get that?

Little known fact...Diego Maradona once played for Tottenham, in a testimonial match for former Spurs and Argentina international in May 1986.

For one night only, Spurs' midfield featured Glenn Hoddle, Chris Waddle, Ardiles and Maradona.

More from Ardiles here:

One GOAT to another.

Cristiano Ronaldo: "Today I say goodbye to a friend and the world says goodbye to an eternal genius. One of the best ever. An unparalleled magician. He leaves too soon, but leaves a legacy without limits and a void that will never be filled. Rest in peace, ace. You will never be forgotten."

Colombian striker, formerly of Manchester United and Chelsea, Radamel Falcao says:

"Eternal. From a very young age you were always my idol. I remember spending hours watching your videos, with the illusion of one day being a professional gamer like you. When I had the opportunity to share with you, I realized your great heart."

Simon Stone
BBC Sport

Diego Maradona didn't play particularly well for Barcelona against Manchester United at Old Trafford in 1984 but just to be in the stadium to watch him play was special - and certainly feels that way now.

The crowd was at fever pitch that night as United came back to complete one of the most memorable comebacks in their entire history.

But they were scared. They knew what he was capable of - what he would show the world he was capable of in Mexico two years later.

I will never forget the hush as he took possession - and the sigh of relief when he lost the ball or what he was trying did not come off.

I had never before - and apart from Lionel Messi - never seen since anyone for whom the ball appeared to be an extension of his foot.