Maradona mourns death of mother

After an almost 24-hour trip from the United Arab Emirates, Diego Maradona, attended the wake of his mother, Dalma Maradona, who died late Saturday at the age of 81. The services were placed in the City neighborhood of Caballito, while the remains of the football star’s mother will be placed in a private cemetery in Western Greater BA town of Bella Vista.

Maradona arrived to the country from Dubai last night around 9pm showing clear signs of tiredness after a 24-hour trip, and headed immediately to a funeral house located at 1510 Tres Arroyos street in Caballito to pay tribute to his late mother along with his family and relatives.

Likewise, many footballers and artists were presence at the wake expressing their condolences to the Maradona family.

Dalma Franco de Maradona, known in Argentina as “Doña Tota”, died late Saturday in a Buenos Aires clinic where was being treated for a heart condition. She was 81.

Maradona, 51, who has been coaching Emirates club Al-Wasl since last June, was travelling back to Argentina from Dubai when he learned of his mother's death.

There were numerous tributes on social network sites from artists, politicians and athletes.

"A very sad day ... thanks for the support. We're all with Diego and the family," wrote Maradona's son-in-law Sergio 'Kun' Aguero.

Furthermore, President Cristina Fernández de Kirchner expressed her condolences over the phone to Maradona on hearing the news, the Government House informed.  

The news broke midway through the first division match between Independiente and Olimpo and a minute's silence was observed before the second-half kickoff.