The football world is in mourning after today's announcement of the death of Diego Armando Maradona. If the news of the legendary footballer's demise has left his native Argentina in a state of shock, it has also impacted heavily on the FC Barcelona club, where el Pelusa began his European football career and where he forged a Barça-Argentina footballing bond that has strengthened from one generation to the next.
In two seasons at Camp Nou, 1982/83 and 1983/84, he stole Catalan hearts. With 22 goals in 36 appearances for the club, he become an idol for culers and today Barça has shown its appreciation with a simple phrase: "Thank you for everything, Diego".
In a more formal message, FC Barcelona expressed its "deepest condolences for the death of Diego Armando Maradona, a player for our club (1982-84) and an icon of world football. Rest in peace, Diego."
"How wonderful that you existed, Diego" exclaimed another message from the Barça club, farewelling a footballer who defined an era and who will go down in history as one of the greatest of all time.
Messi: "Diego is eternal"
And naturally, at the Barcelona club, one of the most heartfelt personal messages came from the Argentinian who inherited Maradona's mantle and made brilliant use of it: Leo Messi dedicated a few words to el Pelusa from his Instagram account.
"A very sad day for all Argentinians and for football. He leaves us, but he will remain, because Diego is eternal. I am left with all the beautiful moments shared with him and I want to take this opportunity to offer my condolences to all his family and friends. RIP," Messi wrote.
Maradona coached Messi with the Argentina national team in the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, which was won by Spain.
Football from another era
Diego Maradona's period at FC Barcelona came to end with the most spectacular images possible on 5th May 1984. It was the final of the Copa del Rey, Barça versus Athlétic Bilbao, being played in Real Madrid's Santiago Bernabéu stadium. A high tension match, with Maradona having received a notoriously dangerous foul from an Athlétic player in a previous match between the two teams. On this occasion the Basques won. And then, after the final whistle, all hell broke loose.
What happened after the match ended speaks for itself. As well as for the fiery character of the late Argentinian. And for a sporting era which is also no more.