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Drone shows thousands queue for Maradona farewell

Three days of national mourning were called for Maradona who led Argentina to a 1986 World Cup win and is revered with cult-like status.

His triumphs on the soccer field was marred by struggles with addiction away from it and he died aged 60 following a heart attack at home on Wednesday.

The family of the former Boca Juniors, Barcelona and Napoli forward is hoping to hold the burial on Thursday evening at the Bella Vista cemetery on the outskirts of Buenos Aires where his parents are also buried, a government source said. A cemetery source confirmed that the burial had been scheduled for 6pm local time, but said it could also be delayed to Friday morning.

Early on Thursday, thousands of fans had already formed a snaking line through the streets near the central Plaza de Mayo after a night of mourning and reminiscing. Some scuffles broke out as some tried to get inside the palace to see their hero's casket.