Paul Gavan (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I wish to begin, a Chathaoirligh, by paying tribute to Diego Maradona, who passed away yesterday. For my generation, he was without doubt the greatest footballer we have ever seen. There was so much to the man. He was not just a wonderful footballer who scored the best goal ever seen in football against England in 1986. This was not because it was against England but because of the breathtaking skill that was involved. Who can forget Jimmy Magee’s amazing commentary, "Different class."? The so-called hand of God was the first goal but the second goal was absolutely incredible. He led Argentina to the World Cup that year but what he did with Napoli was completely incredible. This club won two league championships, which for one of the poorest clubs in Italy was against all the odds. He is also a legend there. I was very struck by what Messi said, which is that while he is gone, he will never be gone because he is eternal in terms of his contribution to world football.

He had his challenges in life, particularly in terms of addiction and it was significant that he went to Cuba. Cuba came to his rescue and he lived there for four years to help him with a serious heart condition. He said at the time that Fidel opened Cuba’s doors to him when clinics in Argentina were slamming them shut because they did not want the death of Maradona on their hands. He wore his politics proudly and had a tattoo of Che Guevara on his right hand and a tattoo of Fidel on his left leg. We have lost a huge legend.

Coincidentally, he died yesterday on 25 November and four years ago on the same date, the great man Fidel Castro passed away.