Diego Simeone Difficult To Accept Diego Maradona's Departure

JAKARTA - Diego Simeone still finds it difficult to accept the news of Diego Maradona's departure just moments before his Atletico Madrid team plays against Lokomotiv Moscow.

Maradona died at the age of 60 on Wednesday, his lawyer confirmed that he died of a heart attack.

News of Maradona's passing emerged before Atletico faced Lokomotiv Moscow in the Champions League, with the Group A tie ending 0-0.

Simeone played for the Argentine national team (national team) with the Napoli legend at the 1994 World Cup, and was a teammate at Sevilla in 1992-93.

"It's difficult. When they call you on the phone and tell you that Diego is dead, you think, 'Diego can't die'," Simeone said at a press conference quoted by Antara after Thursday's match.

"A myth leaves us, an Argentine who transmits all his rebellion to fight with the positives and negatives, but always advances. The way to get excited about playing football is to see it."

"He welcomed me in a spectacular way at Sevilla, I was young. When they told you about this situation (Maradona is dying) you say, 'That's impossible, he can always stay.'"

"This time he can't, but he will always be with us, especially with Argentina, he is a myth and it gives us a lot of sadness and emptiness - that's not possible. A very strong hug for his immediate family."