The Mac Allister family have paid tribute to Diego Maradona.

Albion midfielder Alexis Mac Allister was brought up on the exploits of the Argentina No.10 and knew him personally.

His father Carlos played with Maradona for Boca Juniors and Argentina.

Alexis followed Maradona by wearing the No.10 shirt for Argentinos Juniors and Boca – and now wears it for the Seagulls.

He tonight posted a photo on Instagram showing Carlos and Maradona.

It bore the letters QEPD, which is a Spanish equivalent of RIP.

The Argus:

Carlos earlier posted an emotional message on social media which Alexis has liked.

It reads: “Diego Maradona, the greatest legend in world football, has left us. The best player of all time.

“I had the joy of being his team-mate, first in the Argentinean national team, then in Boca Juniors and also in Showbol, a veteran team with which we toured the world.

“There was no other like him and I don't know if there will ever be another like him.

Albion players pay tribute to Maradona

“He was the voice and the dream of those who want to scream and do something but cannot. It was when he hit back at the Italians who insulted our anthem in the 1990 World Cup. It was when he put himself ahead of everyone. He was on the pitch making wonderful plays, showing that with a ball you can transform people's lives.

“He lived and died in his own way, with his own rules. We were near and far, like almost everyone was with Diego.

“Sharing the field with him was touching heaven with his hands and being at the highest level of world football.

“Together we played against Australia when Argentina was in danger of being left out of the 1994 World Cup and I saw him put all the pressure on his shoulders to help his team-mates.

“He could do everything, because he was so great that even the immense was too small for him.

“Ciao No.10, you were the best.”