Diego Maradona
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| Diego Maradona | |
|---|---|
| Name | Diego Maradona |
| Caption | Maradona with the FIFA World Cup trophy in 1986. |
| Birth date | 30 October 1960 |
| Birth place | Lanús, Buenos Aires Province, Argentina |
| Death date | 25 November 2020 |
| Death place | Tigre, Buenos Aires Province, Argentina |
| Height | 1.65 m |
| Position | Attacking midfielder, forward |
| Years1 | 1976–1981 |
| Clubs1 | Argentinos Juniors |
| Caps1 | 167 |
| Goals1 | 116 |
| Years2 | 1981–1982 |
| Clubs2 | Boca Juniors |
| Caps2 | 40 |
| Goals2 | 28 |
| Years3 | 1982–1984 |
| Clubs3 | FC Barcelona |
| Caps3 | 36 |
| Goals3 | 22 |
| Years4 | 1984–1991 |
| Clubs4 | Napoli |
| Caps4 | 188 |
| Goals4 | 81 |
| Years5 | 1992–1993 |
| Clubs5 | Sevilla FC |
| Caps5 | 26 |
| Years6 | 1993–1994 |
| Clubs6 | Newell's Old Boys |
| Years7 | 1995–1997 |
| Clubs7 | Boca Juniors |
| Caps7 | 30 |
| Nationalyears1 | 1977–1994 |
| Nationalteam1 | Argentina |
| Nationalcaps1 | 91 |
| Nationalgoals1 | 34 |
| Manageryears1 | 1994 |
| Managerclubs1 | Deportivo Mandiyú |
| Manageryears2 | 1995 |
| Managerclubs2 | Racing Club |
| Manageryears3 | 2008–2010 |
| Managerclubs3 | Argentina national football team |
| Manageryears4 | 2011–2012 |
| Managerclubs4 | Al-Wasl FC |
| Manageryears5 | 2017–2018 |
| Managerclubs5 | Fujairah SC |
| Manageryears6 | 2018–2019 |
| Managerclubs6 | Dorados de Sinaloa |
| Manageryears7 | 2019–2020 |
| Managerclubs7 | Gimnasia y Esgrima de La Plata |
Diego Maradona was an Argentine professional footballer and manager, widely regarded as one of the greatest players in the history of the sport. His vision, passing, ball control, and dribbling skills were extraordinary, and he was renowned for his leadership on the pitch. Maradona's career was highlighted by his performances for the Argentina national team, most famously captaining them to victory at the 1986 FIFA World Cup, and by transformative club spells with Napoli and FC Barcelona. His life off the field was equally dramatic, marked by intense fame, political symbolism, and personal struggles.
Early life and career
Diego Armando Maradona was born in the Villa Fiorito shantytown of Lanús, Buenos Aires Province. He showed prodigious talent from a very young age, famously performing ball tricks during halftime of Argentinos Juniors matches. He made his professional debut for Argentinos Juniors in 1976 at age 15, quickly becoming a star in the Argentine Primera División. His early promise was confirmed when he led the Argentina youth team to victory in the 1979 FIFA World Youth Championship in Japan, a tournament where he was awarded the Golden Ball.
Club career
After a brief, successful stint with Boca Juniors in 1981, Maradona transferred to FC Barcelona in Spain for a then-world record fee. His time at Camp Nou was impacted by illness and injury, including a bout with hepatitis and a severe ankle fracture inflicted by Athletic Bilbao's Andoni Goikoetxea. In 1984, he moved to Napoli in Italy, where he achieved legendary status. He led the club from Southern Italy to its first-ever Serie A titles in 1987 and 1990, along with the Coppa Italia, UEFA Cup, and Supercoppa Italiana. Later spells included Sevilla FC, Newell's Old Boys, and a return to Boca Juniors before his retirement in 1997.
International career
Maradona earned 91 caps for the Argentina national football team, scoring 34 goals. He played in four FIFA World Cup tournaments: 1982, 1986, 1990, and 1994. The 1986 FIFA World Cup in Mexico was his definitive tournament, where he captained Argentina to victory. His performance featured the infamous "Hand of God" goal and the stunning "Goal of the Century" against England in the quarter-final. He also guided the team to the final of the 1990 FIFA World Cup in Italy, losing to West Germany.
Style of play and legacy
A diminutive, left-footed playmaker, Maradona combined low center of gravity with explosive acceleration, impeccable close control, and creative genius. He was capable of single-handedly dominating matches, often drawing multiple defenders before delivering a decisive pass or shot. His legacy is immense; he won the FIFA Player of the 20th Century award alongside Pelé and is frequently cited in debates about the greatest footballer of all time. The FIFA World Cup Golden Ball award for the best player was renamed the FIFA World Cup Golden Ball in a tribute following his death.
Personal life and controversies
Maradona's life was a constant media spectacle. He was a polarizing figure, revered as a folk hero by many in Argentina and Naples for his defiance of northern Italian football dominance and his symbolic standing for the underprivileged. His controversies were numerous, including his open use of cocaine, associations with the Camorra in Naples, and a paternity suit. He had a highly publicized relationship with the Argentine Football Association and was expelled from the 1994 FIFA World Cup after testing positive for ephedrine.
Health issues and death
Maradona struggled with substance abuse and obesity for decades, leading to serious health problems. He underwent gastric bypass surgery in 2005 and was hospitalized multiple times for heart issues and alcoholism. After undergoing surgery for a subdural hematoma in November 2020, he suffered a cardiac arrest and died at his home in Tigre on 25 November 2020, at age 60. The Argentine government declared three days of national mourning, and his funeral at the Casa Rosada drew hundreds of thousands of mourners.
Category:Diego Maradona Category:1960 births Category:2020 deaths Category:Argentine footballers Category:FIFA World Cup-winning players