Maradona a genius on the field, a character off
Mexico City: On the soccer field, he was considered a genius. Outside, he was a character known practically everywhere, by everybody.
Diego Maradona, who died Wednesday of a heart attack at age 60, started his story as a player in the Villa Fiorito neighborhood in Buenos Aires, and over the decades he became a soccer great.
He debuted with Argentino Juniors and then jumped to the mythical Boca Juniors, where, in 1981 he got his first title as a professional soccer player. Then, it was off to Europe, and his legend began.
He won three titles with the Barcelona club, becoming a world soccer figure. But Maradona won a place as one of the all-time greats when he led Argentina to the 1986 World Cup title in Mexico, where he scored one of the most storied goals in soccer history the "Hand of God" goal that helped defeat England in a quarterfinal match.
Pundits have debated about who was the best soccer player in history whether Maradona or Pele, the iconic Brazilian who retired in 1977 and is still alive. There has been no consensus.
Maradona and Pele had a very good relationship until the Argentine failed a doping test and was expelled from the 1994 World Cup in the United States. Pele criticized him and they parted ways until 2005 when they re-established a relationship.
Maradona retired in 1997, but he remained linked to soccer. He was Argentina's team coach.
Off the field, Maradona was an outspoken personality who leaned to leftist ideology. He was a good friend of Fidel Castro, the leader of the Cuban revolution, and was also close to the late Venezuelan President Hugo Ch Vez.
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Amid Middle East tensions, flights cancellations at M’luru airport to continue on March 1, 2; Here’s
Mangaluru: Several flights operating to Gulf destinations from Mangaluru International Airport will remain cancelled on March 1 amid escalating tensions in the Middle East.
The cancellations follow the closure of multiple airspaces after strikes on Iran by Israel and the United States on Saturday. As a precautionary measure, Indian airlines have suspended services to several destinations in the Gulf region.
According to airport sources, the following Air India Express (IX) flights scheduled for March 1 and March 2 have been cancelled due to operational reasons:
IX845 (March 1) – Mangaluru–Jeddah
IX846 (March 1) – Jeddah–Mangaluru
IX817 (March 1) – Mangaluru–Muscat
IX818 (March 1) – Muscat–Mangaluru
IX831 (March 1) – Mangaluru–Dubai
IX832 (March 1) – Dubai–Mangaluru
IX813 (March 1) – Mangaluru–Dubai
IX814 (March 2) – Dubai–Mangaluru
IX841 (March 1) – Mangaluru–Bahrain
IX842 (March 2) – Bahrain–Mangaluru
IX815 (March 1) – Mangaluru–Abu Dhabi
IX816 (March 2) – Abu Dhabi–Mangaluru
Among these, the inaugural Mangaluru–Muscat service also stands cancelled.
IndiGo (6E) has also cancelled the following flights on March 1:
6E1468 (March 1) – Dubai–Mangaluru
6E1467 (March 1) – Mangaluru–Dubai
6E1438 (March 1) – Mangaluru–Abu Dhabi
Air India Express suspends flights to gulf sector till 1 March
Low-cost carrier Air India Express which operates a large network of flights connecting various Indian cities to the Middle East have announced suspended of all its flights until 23:59 hrs on 1 March 2026.
In a statement issued on Saturday evening, the airline said, “Air India Express flights to the Gulf region are suspended till 23:59 hrs on 1 March 2026. Guests are eligible for a free date change or cancellation for travel scheduled till 5 March 2026.”
Air India Express flights to the Gulf region are suspended till 23:59 hrs on 1 March 2026.
— Air India Express (@AirIndiaX) February 28, 2026
Guests are eligible for a free date change or cancellation for travel scheduled till 5 March 2026. Fare difference applies. For any assistance, guests may #ChatWithTia or use 'Manage… pic.twitter.com/j4F5b1pYTz
Meanwhile other airlines also followed suit, Spice Jet, Indigo and Air India urged passengers to check flight status.
Travel Advisory
— IndiGo (@IndiGo6E) February 28, 2026
We are continuing to closely monitor the evolving situation in and around Iran and the Middle East. We are sending out notifications to customers on their registered mobile numbers. Customers can also refer to the list of cancelled flights on our website…
#TravelUpdate: Due to airspace closure in Dubai (DXB), some of our flights may be affected. Passengers are advised to check their flight status at https://t.co/2wynECZugy or contact our 24*7 Reservation Helpline numbers at +91 (0)124 4983410 or +91 (0)124 7101600 for assistance.
— SpiceJet (@flyspicejet) February 28, 2026
#TravelAdvisory
— Air India (@airindia) February 28, 2026
In view of the developing situation in parts of the Middle East, all Air India flights to all destinations in the Middle East have been suspended. We remain committed to maintaining the highest standards of safety for our passengers and crew. We will continue to…
Budget carrier Akasa Air separately announced that it has suspended all operations to Gulf destinations until March 2, 2026.
#TravelUpdate: Due to the ongoing situation in the Middle East, all Akasa Air flights to and from Abu Dhabi, Doha, Jeddah, Kuwait and Riyadh have been suspended until March 02, 2026. We will continue updating our flight status to these destinations, basis the prevailing situation…
— Akasa Air (@AkasaAir) February 28, 2026
