Hugo Maradona (the younger brother to Argentine legend Diego) has passed away from a heart attack. He was 52 years old.
Hugo, who was in Naples at the height of Diego’s career, suffered a fatal attack around 11.50 am Tuesday.
This comes only 13 months after Diego, Argentina’s World Cup hero and the most famous player of the game died from cardiac arrest. He was 60 years old when he passed away in Argentina.
Hugo attended the Maradona stadium, Naples, to participate in a tribute to his brother, who was a legendary footballer.
Paola Morra, his wife of 16 years and mother to three children was the one he leaves.
Hugo Maradona was 53 years old. (Photo taken in May of this year).
Hugo, right, was also a footballer, just like his sibling Diego (left). Hugo signed for Napoli at age 18 to play with Diego’s greatest team, but never made it big.
Hugo, the youngest Maradona brother (the others being Diego and Raul), was also an avid footballer. He signed in 1987 as a junior player for Napoli at the age of 18.
But unlike his brother, who played out his best years at the club and is revered in the city as something of a holy figure, Hugo was quickly loaned out to Ascoli.
He went on to play in minor leagues in Spain, Austria and Venezuela before ending his playing career in Japan in the late 1990s.
Following that, he became a coach and participated in many youth academies.
He settled in Naples where he was something of a public figure, leading a memorial service for his brother at the Maradona Stadium just last month.
Hugo had also recently considered a run for public office as councillor for centre-right mayoral candidate Catello Maresca, but withdrew from the lists.
Josi Della Ragione, mayor of the municipality of Bacoli where Hugo lived, paid tribute to him following his death.
“Bacoli holds on to the grief of the Maradona families, in the wake of Hugo’s death. His wife Paola was his first love, ‘he stated.
“I was honored to have the privilege of attending his wedding. It was an unforgettable and joyous day. Hugo was simple. He was always with the people.
He was a man who was always there for the people. He will be remembered fondly.