Gary Lineker's brilliant, heartfelt tribute to Diego Maradona 

"What Zidane could do with a football, Maradona could do with an orange" -Michel platini Rip great man 🙏🙏

The skill that Linekers talking about him doing in the centre circle is just ridiculous. RIP Diego

"I've never seen anyone have such a beautiful affection with a football" - What a great tribute by Gary Lineker for Diego Maradona.

I was at the game at Wembley Gary mentions. I remember the crowd booed every time maradona touched the ball. My dad just said "these idiots don't know greatness when they see it"

“If I was in a white outfit at a wedding and a muddy ball arrived... I would stop it with the chest, without thinking about it." - Maradona

I’m from Argentina and my Dad named me after Maradona! My Dad passed away in January very bad year for me! At least I know my Dad can finally meet Maradona in Heaven! ❤️

Massive respect for Gary for admitting this even though it ruined England’s World Cup..

What Diego did in 1986 World Cup will never be repeated. The Greatest Performance Ever

Great tribute Gary, love how the younger pundits are asking questions on him and in awh of his ability.

Micheal Owen seems like a little boy with a sparkle in his eye listening to stories of the legend.

Great tribute. No bitterness, no jibes. Just pure respect to a dead human being.

Gary Lineker is a great gentlemen. And great sportsman also. Only a good man can pay such generous tribute to Diego.

incredible player, he played with such joy , passion and enthusiasm that's why people loved him so much.

We were in Berlin waiting for a game one time when Carlos Bilardo, the Argentina manager, insisted on the need to perfect our technique. As he was never a man to stop short of obsession, he kept repeating that an Argentinian player should live life with the ball permanently at his feet “morning, afternoon, evening and night”. He repeated it day after day, until one day Maradona came out of his room juggling the ball, took a lift juggling the ball, arrived in the dining room juggling the ball, sat down and, without letting it drop, began to nibble at the bread on the table. Bilardo came in, saw him and a smile stretched across his face, proud to be proven right. “See?” he said, “that’s why he’s Maradona.” Every time I told that story it made me smile; today, it comes to me wrapped in sadness." Jorge Valdano

Diego Maradona was the best football player I've ever witnessed playing football in my 45 years on earth 40 of those watching football.. He was a genius and gave millions around the world joy. I'm Scottish and my wife is from Argentina. It was our mutual love for Maradona that initially got us talking.. R. I. P Diego 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🇦🇷

Gary Linekar is such a wonderful orator.. he made us visualize the goal so wonderfully..

Incredibly classy from Gary, really admire his lack of bitterness towards Maradona.

The thing Gary mentioned about him hitting the ball, on the half way line goes against the laws of physics. Messi is up there, but Maradona had the presence of a legendary Greek mythological God.

Coming from an Englishman. Maradona was simply the greatest footballer that's ever lived.

Simply the best player the world will ever see. Forget the stats and the numbers, the guy was poetry in motion. No-one will ever come close to performing the miracles Maradona did on a football pitch. I thank my lucky stars that I grew up during his era.

That was class from Gary.

what a classy man lineker is, thanks for your kind words from argentina

As an ex pat Englishman, I hold NO bitterness towards Diego for the so called hand of god goal. He was by far the best player of my generation, a joy to watch, and he will be missed by many followers of Football, globally.

More than a week now and it's still Killing me. So sorry. From Germany: deepest respect to a great footballing nation and the best ever. 🇦🇷🇩🇪

Maradona did not warm up, he was born ready for football. R.I.P

Lineker speaks so beautifully and eloquently, with poised passion, and does a fantastic job of demonstrating reverence to the talent of Maradona. Big up.

No one is like Maradona and hopefully we can win the scudetto this year. Forza Napoli

Gary loves football like Diego did . Beutifull tribute .

Watched Gary a lot on TV over the years, cleary raised with good values, seems nice and cultured.

Something about the way Gary lineker talks - such a classy man - great tribute

The expression on Michael Owens face says it all soo amazed of the brilliance an skill of the great Diego Maradona....rest well saint Diego

Rest easy Maradona 🙏🏼

Gary has to be one of the best presenters in recent times. Dude is so good at what he does. RIP Maradona. One of the best players ever

Gary Lineker is a very British Gentleman....I love UK because there are people like him...Thanks!

Beautiful words by Gary Lineker as a tribute to Diego Maradona. They were great competitors, but now afterwards Lineker recognizes him as one of the greatest players of all time and pays him respect. That is worth respect. Hats off to Gary Lineker. Rest in peace Diego Armando Maradona.

That Maradona's signature trick Lineker describes is almost impossible without running 5-10 metres when the ball is falling down, except for Diego. Diego was the most skilled played ever, an artist.

RIP to the Legend. Argentina's hero.

My All time favourite Diego Maradona, a true legend.

Hands down.....simply the GREATEST player ever to pull on a pair of boots.

Your body is dead but your legacy will continue to live. Rest peacefully true legend and the Real greatest footballer of all time Diego Amando Maradona.

He may be gone, but he still lives rent free in Peter Shilton's head.

Thanks for talking those beautiful words to an argentinian. We really appreciate it ! thanks !

Gary Lineker is a man with a huge heart, a gentleman in the purest sense of the world.

Maradona, Crouchy - 2 players who changed the world of football. One for his ability on the football pitch and other for his moustache

On his day. There's not many that would come close

2:02 Michael having his jaw dropped says it all...."OMG, That's impossible-It is"....Michael, one of the top strikers ever walked this earth acknowledges what kind of level Maradona was....

Total respect to Gary for a beautiful tribute to a legend.

Gary, thanks for your words about Maradona. Your comments illustrate wonderful soccer moments ¡Greetings from Argentina!.

The love and respect for Maradona oozes out of him. Lineker is such a class act. RIP Diego Maradona. 👑 ⚽️😔

My own appreciation for Gary Lineker about his words. A real gentleman ! From Napoli

Great Gary!! Congrats from Peru 🇵🇪

Gary Lineker was also brilliant skilled player and is just respected and adored here in Argentina.

When today's players miss a pass or complain because the grass is dry, wet, short or long, Maradona could do the craziest things with a ball on any destroyed surface....RIP best ever!

I remember my very first international trip from India and I was in transit at NY airport waiting for a flight to Detroit and heard a loud discussion between two parties, one Argentinian and another Brazilian. I got interested and I do not know why but one lady from one of the sides looked at me and said "We are discussing who is greater, Maradona or Pele?" I said "Maradona, of course". That settled the debate!!!!! A neutral Indian, a no body giving a verdict on a debate that shall outlive the age of the universe. Sitting in India, in 1986, I fell in love with football watching Maradona single handedly win the WC for Argentina. His skills with the ball... simply unrepeatable! What a player! What a loss to football!

I was at that game.. i remember him doing that in the warm up.. love telling that story myself

What a wonderful memoir from Gary Lineker, sharing a pitch up close with an icon when Gary himself was a top striker. How great it must be to achieve footballing heights

Gary Lineker, such a class act! Greetings from Finland. EL DIEGO ETERNO!

simply amazing great gesture from Gary. Maradona is incomparable.

Gracias Gary por tus palabras, emocionantes recuerdos con Maradona. Un gran abrazo de un argentino que te admira!

Gary’s story and tribute is the best one today.

A true depiction of the human being - amazing talent and hard work. But played harder and had a troubled life. Always will be remembered- Rest in Peace Diego 🇦🇷🙏🙏

Gary and Maradona were born just a month apart. Thanks Gary for the tribute.

Maradona is football, and football is Maradona! He was, is, and will always be, the greatest.

One thing that doesn't get acknowledged too much about Diego the player - aside from being incredibly skilful and quick, he was hard and strong and tough. Every game he played during his prime he just got kicked all over the place! And he wasn't a diva about it - he took it, bounced back up and went again. An amazing talent but also a very steely competitor. RIP Diego

"Whatever we tried, didn't work" Gary Linekar says with resignation and admiration 🤩🤩🤩

Gary Lineker, a great player, a true, decent human being. His tribute to the great Pelusa is one of the best I have seen. I take my hat off Gary.

Well done Gary.. Every football lover is going to appreciate your effort..👏

I’m Syrian and my father named my lil bro after him rip maradona!

Gary Lineker is a good fella, nice tribute to Diego from him. RIP Diego.

Fair play Gary Lineker - wonderful, generous tribute. Classy guy Lineker.

My respect for Gary, he really feel admiration for Diego. Regards from Argentina.

A sad day for anyone who has either played or watched the game (THE ULTIMATE CREATOR OF MAGIC) the world is a duller place without maradona

What a incredible tribute. Lineker is such a gentleman. I’m struggling to believe He is no longer with us.

A great tribute....Diego Armando Maradona. RIP.

Gary es simplemente un caballero en toda la extensión de la palabra,los británicos deben sentirse orgullosos de aver tenido y tener un jugador que los represente de la misma manera tanto dentro como afuera de la cancha,mis respetos a este jugador. Saludos desde buenos Aires,Argentina.

An incredible talent. A legend in Scotland forever 😉 RIP Diego ❤️

We are blasted here in Argentina. Thanks for your support. Diego for ever!

Muchas gracias Gary... Más allá de las rivalidades futbolísticas siempre fuiste un gran competidor de Diego y si él te permitió compartir momentos de intimidad, es porque realmente te apreciaba mucho... Tu recuerdo nos emociona mucho...

What a nice dude, Lineker!

"A beautiful affection with a football" nails it. Terrific tribute and delighted that the 'hand of God' goal was not the focus.

The best in the world at his time, a true great of the sport. Rest in peace, Diego.

Diego Maradona is the greatest futbol player in history. Gracias Diego Maradona por ser de America..

My god, what a pleasure is listening to Gary. Such a humble, clear man. Respect.

Goat ... One of the only men who could win a tournament for his nation by himself ..

Much respect to Lineker for these kind words of Maradona the player.

Maradona, the greatest footballer of all time.

Gary is a good guy. He was a very efficient, often lethal striker but to be so humble and objective, particularly relating to 1986, reveals character. Well said Sir.

"whatever we tired didn't work" Sums the legend up perfectly. The Man was unmarkable in that World Cup.

Despite the difficult circumstances in which the famous 86` match was played, Lineker shows too, greatness in acknowledging the fenomenon from Villa Fiorito. A true gentleman. RIP little barrel.

Lucky to have witnessed Diego Maradona play live.. RU-vid videos are there but what Gary is talking is uffffff

What a WONDERFUL tribute, and what gentleman Gary Lineker is ....I respect him even more now...RIP Diego!

Could see how much Diego meant to Gary. Rip to a real GOAT

Moving tribute by Gary Lineker. RIP the legendary Diego Maradona.

Thanks Gary! Such a legend too! Greetings from Argentina

People don’t understand how ridiculously good he was with the ball

Pure class from Gary doing the great man justice.

Gary Lineker BIG GENTLEMAN! Respectfully yours from Uruguay!!

I'm amazed and very impressed by how objective Lineker is. I mean Maradona destroyed them emotionally, with a bit of cheating as well, but the way he keeps those emotions in check when he talks about Maradona is something we all should try to achieve.

As an Australian with Argentine blood Diego was everything in football because of the joy he brought to many especially argentiina we lost a true legend RIP

I was 8 when I watched this. A cried my eyes out at the final whistle. A part of my childhood died today.