Back in April I wrote about Diego Armando Maradona: a Legendary talent with a talent for living like a legend.

I used Maradona to make the point that too much make believe can hurt you. Maradona’s make believe cost him his health, his career, his family, even–it seemed–his grip on reality. Yesterday, it cost him the ultimate price, his life.

In a matter of hours the world filled with paeans to his talent, his skill, his style, his sweetness. A world with a shortage of global icons mourned together.

As I wrote in April, Maradona was always more of a myth to me. The tall tale legend of Maradona captured dominating opponents, running roughshod over rivals on the field, and shocking supporters outside and inside the stadium. Diego bought into the invulnerable Maradona persona but at the cost of the very human body of Diego.

But what I wrote then isn’t the end of the story. While make believe “Maradona” did burn out Diego’s candle, it lit a spark for the world.

The outpouring of tributes this week isn’t made up. The effect Maradona had is real. The tears shed for him are shed, not in ignorance of how he suffered, but with appreciation of a flawed man’s complexity.

Love the good in all people. It’s easy to do with idols and heroes. We can forgive Maradona’s shortcomings because of how he inspired the world. It’s harder to do with every day people, but no less important. The spate of infuriated protestors across the street are difficult to deal with, but I strive to love them for advocating their beliefs just as I love Diego for struggling with his demons.

I hope you boys learn that, while not every person is admirable, everyone deserves your affection. We love others not because they earn it on the field or by their allegiances, but because we all struggle to be our best selves. You, me, the masked and maskless and Maradona.