Zlatan pays tribute to Maradona & says he must be judged for his playing career

Zlatan Ibrahimovic has insisted Diego Maradona's well-documented turmoil off-field turmoil should not detract from his timeless legacy.

Maradona died aged 60 at his Buenos Aires home on Wednesday, having suffered a heart attack. The all-time great, widely regarded as the finest footballer in history, had undergone brain surgery on a blood clot earlier this month.

His tragic passing was greeted with an outpouring of emotion, and touching tributes, from around the world - and Ibrahimovic believes Maradona's heroics during his esteemed career are all that truly matters.

He told Sky Sports: 'I'm so sorry, because for me Maradona is more than football. It has become a religion for many and I was lucky enough to know him and talk to him.

'He is a symbol of what he has done on the pitch. I always judge him for what he did on the pitch, what he did outside, in my opinion, is his problem and not ours.

'We must remember him for what he did as a footballer and in my opinion, he will be remembered forever. When you see number 10 who do you think about? Maradona.

'It is a symbol, even today there are those who choose that number for him.'

Maradona memorably led Argentina to World Cup glory in 1986, and knocked England out in the quarter-final with a double that will forever be etched in history.

He struck first with the infamous 'Hand of God' and dazzled with a second, which was later voted 'Goal of the Century'.

The football legend was rightly lauded for his breathtaking ability, but had also been plagued by personal demons. His struggles with alcohol and drug abuse have since been well documented.

AC Milan striker Ibrahimovic believes, however, that Maradona's unbridled passion helped enshrine him as one of the sport's best ever players.

'As a person, he did everything with his heart, there were no other motives or thoughts,' he added.

'I don't know if that's the right thing, but that's why the whole world loved him.

'He was always himself. In today's football, everyone tries to be perfect, but to grow and learn you have to make mistakes.

'Maradona always did everything with his heart and will always remain No 1.'