Legendary footballer Diego Maradona passed away earlier this week, leaving a timeless void in the sports world. The 1986 World Cup winner and the Argentinian team’s former manager had been in hospital in Buenos Aires following a major surgery to remove a blood clot from his brain earlier this month. While he was being treated for alcohol dependency, his sudden demise came as a shock to his fans across the world. As tributes poured in from around the globe, Dubai’s skyscraper Burj Khalifa was also lit up in Maradona’s loving memory. The same was posted on Burj Khalifa’s official Twitter handle.
???? #???_????? ?????? ??????? ????? ????? ?????????? ????? ???????? ???? ??? ?? ??????#BurjKhalifa pays tribute to the legendary #DiegoMaradona. May his soul rest in peace. pic.twitter.com/aePQtwIpKZ
— Burj Khalifa (@BurjKhalifa) November 27, 2020
The tower was lit with legendary pictures of Maradona from his heydays of being the best footballer in the world, with 1960-2020 written below the images. Several spectators arrived to get pictures with and of the Burj Khalifa. The Argentine Football Association made the announcement on Twitter, writing, “The Argentine Football Association, through its president Claudio Tapia, expresses its deepest sorrow for the death of our legend, Diego Armando Maradona. You will always be in our hearts.” Soon after, the Argentine president declared three days of national mourning.
His successful career made him a global star and the national hero of his home country. There were many who looked up to Maradona and admired his passion for football. Celebrities from Pakistan, Bollywood and Hollywood also paid homage to the 60-year-old late player, who was seen as a role model to his fans. From Shah Rukh Khan and Priyanka Chopra to Ranveer Singh and Kareena Kapoor Khan, artists condoled the death of the star footballer. SRK – who has previously confessed his undying love for the sport – mourned Deigo’s death in a heartfelt Twitter post. “Diego Maradona, you made football even more beautiful. You will be sorely missed and may you entertain and enthrall heaven as you did in this world. RIP,” he wrote. Previously, the Burj Khalifa was also lit up to celebrate King Khan’s birthday.
