Maradona Absence Felt At Qatar 2022, Says Ex Teammate Burruchaga

Maradona died in November 2020 at the age of 60 after suffering a cardiac arrest.

The Argentina icon used to make his presence felt on and off the field at previous editions of the World Cup.

Qatar 2022 is the first World Cup held after Maradona's death.

Considered by many as arguably the greatest footballer of all-time, Maradona captained Argentina to World Cup glory in Mexico in 1986 wearing the iconic jersey number 10 jersey and provided some great memories along the way.

"The last time we spoke was a couple of months before his passing," Burruchaga, who scored the winning goal in the 1986 World Cup final, told La Gazzetta dello Sport.

"We reunited when I returned to Argentina to coach Gimnasia La Plata. I can't say we were close friends, perhaps we had a closer bond on the pitch than off it, but we respected each other after a long path together.

"This is the first World Cup without him, and you can feel it. He is a unique legend, football lost its most valuable treasure. But I can feel his presence here among us, and I am not being rhetorical."

Maradona is considered a legend at Italian giants Napoli, whom he helped win two Serie A titles and the UEFA Cup. He also represented Barcelona, Sevilla and Boca Juniors in his native Argentina, where he began his professional career.

Maradona tried his hands at coaching after hanging up his boots and was manager of Gimnasia De La Plata before his passing. He managed Argentina at the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa.

Maradona's beloved Argentina started their World Cup bid with a shock 2-1 loss to unfancied Saudi Arabia and will face Mexico later on Saturday.