'He gave us a kind of joy that no one else did': Devastated Argentinians mourn the loss of...

[ASFN Admin]

Crowds gathered outside La Bombonera on Wednesday as Argentina descended into a collective state of shock over the passing of its beloved son, and brilliant star. The news of Diego Maradona's death echoed on the streets, on the airwaves, in the homes and the tearful gazes of Argentinians across the football mad nation. Agustin Benitez learned of his idol's passing as he was roused from his sleep. “Agustin, wake up,” his mother called out to him in their home in the famous Buenos Aires neighbourhood of La Boca. “Maradona is dead.” “I woke up with such desperation, because he is my idol,” said Mr Benitez, 19, on the steps of La Bombonera, the famous stadium that is home to Boca Juniors, one of Argentina’s most celebrated football clubs and, as Mr Benitez put it, “Diego’s house.” This is where he sparkled in the early 80s, before conquering Europe, and dramatically clinching the coveted World Cup in 1986. He returned later in his career. “We have all of El Diego’s jerseys. He gave us a kind of joy that no one else did,” said Mr Benitez.

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