Buenos Aires, June 26 (IANS): Argentinian football legend Diego Maradona looked moved by the death of his father Don Diego as he assured that his father "went peacefully".

"Unfortunately, he has left us but he went peacefully. All his children were there, by his side. All the love from all of us went with him," said Maradona on Thursday, reports Xinhua.

The 54-year-old former Argentina player said these words in a recorded message distributed by local media minutes after his father's death was officially confirmed.

The 1986 Mexico World Cup champion also thanked "everyone who has supported me" and "the doctors who did everything they could to keep him alive".

"I also thank the journalists who always respected the situation especially the problem of entering and leaving the clinic. I thank you so much and all the Argentinians who prayed for my father," added the former footballer.

Maradona's 87-year-old father, nicknamed 'Chitoro', passed away on Thursday after a lengthy internment in a medical centre here.