Diego Maradona is the toast of the town. The Argentina legend, who suffered a health scare during the crucial Argentina vs Nigeria Group Stage match, became the center of attraction and courted controversy after he flashed his middle finger celebrating Argentina's second and deciding goal against Nigeria, which helped the South American team to qualify for the last 16 stage. Diego Maradona managed to steal the show from Messi, who scored the first goal for his team.

Even celebrities could not resist the charm of the player whose goal in the 1986 World Cup inspired the 'Hand of God' title. Here is what Bollywood Superstar Shah Rukh Khan had to say about the match and the man:

Jimmy Conrad, the American retired soccer defender who during his 13-year MLS career, was four-time MLS Best XI and the 2005 MLS Defender of the Year simply said that "Maradona is the best."

Piers Morgan, the British journalist and television personality currently working as a presenter on the ITV Breakfast programme Good Morning Britain said that "It's exhausting being Maradona."

But it was not just the celebrities who are in awe of the eccentric genius, Diego Maradona. The legend inspired innumerable memes on social media and Twitter was abuzz with his 'playing to the gallery':

This meme shows what Maradona would really liked to have done for celebrating the goal:

He was almost about to jump from the seating area to the ground, had he not been stopped:

Jokes apart, it was a huge relief for Argentina and football fans around the world to see the South American team qualify for the last 16 stage. What will add to the delight of Argentina supporters is the fact that Messi looks back in touch and also scored the crucial first goal for his team. As Bollywood Superstar Shah Rukh said, "Love the Nigerian team but have to have Argentina in the play offs." Well said, King Khan.  And well played (off the field), Diego Maradona.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jun 27, 2018 11:54 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).