The number ten shirt should be retired following Diego Maradona's death, says Andre Villas-Boas

ByReuters

Updated 26/11/2020 at 10:56 GMT

Players past and present have been paying tribute to Diego Maradona after he died at the age of 60. One of the greatest players ever, Maradona is best known for his time with Argentina, Napoli and Barcelona, while also having a colourful life off the pitch. Marseille boss Villas-Boas wants to see the icon's number ten shirt retired.

Diego Maradona

Image credit: Getty Images

Marseille manager Andre Villas-Boas has called on FIFA to retire the number 10 shirt from the game to honour Argentine great Diego Maradona, who died aged 60 on Wednesday after suffering a heart attack.

Maradona was regarded as one of the greatest players of all time, with fans in Argentina referring to him as 'El Dios' - which means 'The God', but is also a play on words on his number 10 shirt, 'El Diez.'

Maradona's former club Napoli have not used the No. 10 shirt since 2000 as a mark of respect for the player who guided them to several trophies and Villas-Boas said global football body FIFA should also pay tribute by withdrawing the number.

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"Maradona, yes it is tough news, I would like FIFA to retire the number 10 shirt in all competitions, for all teams," Villas-Boas told reporters after Marseille's 2-0 Champions League defeat by Porto.

"It would be the best homage we could do for him. He is an incredible loss for the world of football."