Former Olympique Marseille owner Bernard Tapie has recalled how close he came to signing Diego Maradona from Napoli.

Maradona passed away on Wednesday due to cardiac arrest. He was 60.

Tapie told RMC: "Diego Maradona has been a beacon for millions of people. His disappearance really upsets me. For me, he was the best footballer in the world. In front of Pelé, in front of Beckenbauer, in front of Platini, in front of Zidane. He was number 1, just ahead of Lionel Messi, who follows him narrowly.

"I almost took him to Marseille [in 1989]. Everything was almost ready, but a leak from one of the OM executives derailed the transfer, because our negotiations had to remain secret. I have always regretted that this transfer did not take place."