Here are the reactions of others in the football world.

PELE (Brazil, the player so often compared to Maradona as the best of all-time)

"Sad news to lose a friend like that. May God give enough strength to his family. For sure, one day we will kick a ball together in heaven."

LIONEL MESSI (Argentina, the current successor to Maradona as the best player in the world)

"A very sad day for all Argentinians and for football. He leaves us, but he is not gone because Diego is eternal. I stay with all the beautiful moments I lived with him and I wanted to send my condolences to his family and friends."

ROMARIO (Brazil, World Cup winner)

"My friend is gone. Maradona, the legend! The Argentine that conquered the world with the ball at his feet, but also for his joy and unique personality. I said it sometimes, out of the players I have seen on the pitch he was the best."

KARL-HEINZ RUMMENIGGE (Germany, the great striker who played against Maradona in the 1986 World Cup final)

"Diego Maradona won everything there is to win, as well as the hearts of everyone who loves the beauty of football."

ITALIAN SOCCER CLUB NAPOLI (where Maradona became a cult hero)

"It is a devastating blow ... We feel like a boxer who has been knocked out. We are in shock ... Always in our hearts. Ciao Diego."

CRISTIANO RONALDO (Portugal, Juventus's great striker)

"Today I bid farewell to a friend and the world farewells to an eternal genius. One of the best ever, an unmatched magician. Leaves too soon but leaves a boundless legacy and a void that will never be filled. RIP. You will never be forgotten."

GARY LINEKER (England, striker who played against Maradona in the 1986 'Hand of God' World Cup game)

"By some distance, the best player of my generation and arguably the greatest of all time. After a blessed but troubled life, hopefully he'll finally find some comfort in the hands of God. #RipDiego"

ARGENTINA'S FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION

"Argentina's football association, through its president Claudio Tapia, shares its deepest pain over the death of our legend, Diego Armando Maradona. You will always be in our hearts."

BOCA JUNIORS FOOTBALL CLUB (where Maradona made his name as a young player)

"Eternal thanks. Eternal Diego."

OSVALDO ARDILES (Argentina, World Cup winner 1978 and Maradona's international teammate)

"Thank dear Dieguito for your friendship, for your football, sublime, without comparison. Simply, the best football player in the history of football. So many enjoyable moments together. Impossible to say which one was the best. RIP my dear friend."

JAVIER MASCHERANO (Former Argentina star that Maradona managed at the 2010 World Cup)

"Eternal thanks Diego for everything you have given us. Rest in peace. You won it all."

JOSE MOURINHO (Tottenham manager)

"Don Diego... damn dude I miss you."

SACHIN TENDULKAR (Indian cricketing great)

"Football and the world of sports has lost one of its greatest players today."

Australian Associated Press