Former Ireland star Niall Quinn says Diego Maradona is 'etched in his heart' after the Argentine legend's sad death today aged 60.
Quinn explained why he rates the 1986 World Cup winner as the greatest footballer of all-time - just ahead of his compatriot Lionel Messi.
Quinn told Virgin Media Sport: "He got really into people's hearts by the way he played, the way he portrayed himself and the passion that he played the game with.
"The great skill levels of course, he was bringing that to a new level. That mixed in with his passion, grabbing his country by the scruff of the neck to come good in '86.
"The whole Maradona story, we wanted more and more and he gave it.
"Tonight should be all about his brilliance and what he did for people, and how they ended up being in love with the game because of him. He's etched in my heart firmly."
Ex-Premier League star Quinn has gone to bat for Maradona in debates over who is the greatest player of all-time.
He added: "I've had this debate in pubs, he is my best player in the world ever. You get George Best, whose anniversary is today, ironically. You get Johan Cruyff, you get Ronaldo, Messi and Maradona, and I have him there ahead of Messi.
"Why? Because some people today watching Messi play might think he gets kicked. Maradona got kicked 10 times more than Messi ever did, and he stood up to it and got up and won and delivered.
"They couldn't stop him, in his prime they could not stop him."
