Diego Maradona turns 60 and Argentina parties - in pictures

'Thanks for your love and your friendship. This is the best present you could have given me' says football legend

Argentina celebrates the 60th birthday of Diego Maradona. Reuters

Argentina's Gimnasia y Esgrima La Plata coach Maradona waves before the start of a first division match against Patronato in La Plata, Buenos Aires, on his 60th birthday. AFP

Argentina celebrates 60th birthday of Diego Maradona in Buenos Aires. Reuters

A statue of Maradona, in the Barrio de la Paternal of the city of Buenos Aires. EPA

A person takes a video of a billboard in homage to Argentinian legend Maradona on his 60th birthday, near the Buenos Aires' Obelisk. Reuters

A woman walks past a billboard in homage to Maradona on his 60th birthday, near the Buenos Aires' Obelisk. Reuters

A woman holds a placard with a news article about Maradona at Villa Palito neigbourhood in La Matanza municipality, Buenos Aires province. EPA

A mural with the image of Maradona at Villa Palito neigborhood in La Matanza municipality, Buenos Aires. EPA

A man carries a photo of Maradona at Villa Palito neigborhood in La Matanza municipality, Buenos Aires. EPA

A man paints a mural of Maradona at Villa Palito neigborhood in La Matanza municipality, Buenos Aires. EPA

A picture of Maradona next to a statue of Saint Roch, during a charity event in Villa Palito, San Justo, La Matanza. AFP

A billboard shows photos of Maradona and the Spanish message: "Happy Birthday Diego, thank you for so much happiness" in Buenos Aires. AP

Diego Maradona is seen before the match between Gimnasia y Esgrima and Patronato on his 60th birthday. Reuters

Diego Maradona waves before the match between Gimnasia y Esgrima and Patronato. Reuters

Argentina celebrates the 60th birthday of Diego Maradona. Reuters

A billboard shows photos of former soccer star Diego Maradona below the Spanish message: "Merry 60, Diego" in Buenos Aires,. AP

Diego Maradona is seen before the match between Gimnasia y Esgrima and Patronato on his birthday. Reuters

Argentina celebrates the 60th birthday of Diego Maradona. Reuters

A plaque marks Diego Maradona's first home, in the Barrio de la Paternal of the city of Buenos Aires. EPA

Diego Maradona celebrated his 60th birthday with a comprehensive league victory for the club he coaches and a 100-metre long billboard erected in his honour in the centre of Buenos Aires.

Although he had been reported to be self-isolating after coming into contact with someone who displayed Covid-19 symptoms, Maradona appeared at his club’s stadium on Friday evening.

The Gimnasia y Esgrima coach unexpectedly turned up ahead of their game against Patronato, the first match in a season that kicked off on Friday night after a seven-month hiatus caused by the coronavirus pandemic.

Officials presented him with a plaque, he was given several birthday cakes and fans who gathered outside the ground sang "Happy Birthday" and let off fireworks.

“It’s a special day,” head of the Argentine Football Association Claudio Tapia told local TV. “We're very happy to be able to salute a player as great as Diego."

Maradona left the ground before Gimnasia kicked off their closed doors match and he missed their 3-0 victory.

Earlier in the day, friends sent tributes to the flamboyant player who led Argentina to their 1986 World Cup triumph.

A billboard featuring Maradona's face was unveiled on Buenos Aires' majestic central Avenida, alongside the obelisk where fans traditionally gather to celebrate major victories.

On Instagram, football greats from around the world - former Brazil striker Ronaldo Nazario, manager Jose Mourinho and former Italy captain Franco Baresi among them - shared their best wishes.

"I start my 60th with these marvellous messages that you've all sent me," Maradona said in response. "Thanks for your love and your friendship. This is the best present you could have given me."

Maradona is widely acknowledged to be one of the greatest footballers of all time.

He won the 1986 World Cup with Argentina and his two goals against England in the quarter-final victory - one the infamous Hand of God, the second a brilliant solo goal – are unforgettable moments in sporting history.

60 pictures of the incredible Maradona

He also transformed Italian club Napoli, helping them to their first league title in 1987, as well as to the UEFA Cup in 1989 and another Serie A trophy a year later.

But there was also a dark side that cost him dearly.

Maradona's drug addiction tainted his later years in Italy and led to him being kicked out of the 1994 World Cup and banned from the game for 15 months.

Knee injuries took their toll as did weight problems and he was hospitalised in 2004 with severe heart and respiratory problems. He now often uses crutches to walk.