Buenos Aires: The father of former Argentine soccer great Diego Maradona has died in Buenos Aires. He was 87.

Maradona confirmed the death of his father in an interview with television station C5N on Thursday. In Maradona's words, his father ‘went in peace with the love of all his children’ by his side.

The former soccer star's father was also named Diego. He was hospitalized in early June for cardiac problems and had been in a delicate state ever since.

The elder Maradona often said he was proud to be the father of one of the greatest soccer players in history. Maradona's mother died in 2011 at age 81.