Argentinian football legend and winner of the 1986 World Cup, Diego Maradona, has passed away at home in Tigre after suffering a heart attack, according to reports in Argentina.

Sporting icon Maradona, who spent the best of his playing days at Napoli and also had a stint at Barcelona, passed away in the city north of the Argentine capital of Buenos Aires, the player's hometown.

Since retiring from one of the most illustrious careers of any player to lace a pair of boots, Maradona had battled health problems and weight gain, which stemmed from addiction troubles which were rooted which began in his playing days.

The 1986 World Cup winner had an emergency operation for a subdural hematoma, which is an accumulation of blood between a membrane and his brain.

Maradona was initially admitted to another clinic in La Plata with signs of depression, anemia and dehydration, before being moved to Olivos when the subdural hematoma was discovered.

Dr Luque said an accident likely caused the subdural hematoma but that Maradona did not recall any falls or mishaps.

Maradona felt ill on October 30 while coaching first-division team Gimnasia y Esgrima. He had left before the end of the first half, raising questions about his health.