Diego Maradona

Lore & Background

Maradona was born on 30 October 1960 at the Policlínico Evita Hospital in Lanús, Buenos Aires Province, to a poor Roman Catholic family. He was raised in Villa Fiorito, a shantytown on the southern outskirts of Buenos Aires. His father, also named Diego Maradona, worked at a chemicals factory. His mother, Dalma Salvadora Franco, was of Italian and Croatian descent. Maradona received his first football as a gift at age three and quickly became devoted to the game. At age eight, he was spotted by a talent scout while playing at Estrella Roja, his local club. In March 1969, he was recommended to Los Cebollitas, the junior team of Argentinos Juniors, by his friend Gregorio Carrizo. Maradona named Brazilian playmaker Rivellino and Manchester United winger George Best among his inspirations growing up.

Maradona made his professional debut for Argentinos Juniors on 20 October 1976, ten days before his 16th birthday, becoming the youngest player in the history of the Argentine Primera División. He spent five years at Argentinos Juniors, scoring 115 goals in 167 appearances. He then transferred to Boca Juniors in February 1981 for US$4 million, winning the 1981 league title. In 1982, he moved to Barcelona for a then-world record fee of £5 million, where he won the Copa del Rey and Copa de la Liga. In 1984, he transferred to Napoli for another world record fee of £6.9 million. He led Napoli to their first Serie A league title, and their second three years later; he was later banned from the club for taking cocaine.

In his international career with Argentina, Maradona earned 91 caps and scored 34 goals. He played in four editions of the FIFA World Cup, including the 1986 World Cup, where he led Argentina to victory as captain and won the Golden Ball as the tournament's best player. In the 1986 World Cup quarter final, he scored both goals in a 2–1 victory over England. His first goal was an unpenalized handling foul known as the 'Hand of God', while his second goal came after a 60-metre dribble past five England players; it was voted 'Goal of the Century' by FIFA.com voters in 2002. Maradona became the manager of the Argentina national team in November 2008, and departed after the 2010 World Cup. He also coached several clubs, including Al Wasl, Fujairah, Dorados, and Gimnasia de La Plata. Maradona died on 25 November 2020.

Reader's Guide

Diego Maradona's significance lies in his status as one of the two joint winners of the FIFA Player of the Century award, alongside Pelé, cementing his place among the greatest footballers in history. His career was marked by extraordinary skill as an advanced playmaker, with his low centre of gravity, vision, passing, ball control, and dribbling ability setting him apart. He was the first player to set the world record transfer fee twice, first in 1982 when he transferred to Barcelona for £5 million, and again in 1984 when he moved to Napoli for £6.9 million. His leadership on the field was pivotal: he led Napoli to their first Serie A title and a second three years later, and captained Argentina to victory in the 1986 World Cup, where he scored the infamous 'Hand of God' goal and the 'Goal of the Century'. His legacy includes both his on-field brilliance and his later ban from Napoli for cocaine use. After his playing career, he managed the Argentina national team and several clubs across different countries. His death on 25 November 2020 marked the end of a complex and influential life in football.

Did You Know?

• Maradona was one of the two joint winners of the FIFA Player of the Century award, alongside Pelé.
• He was the first player to set the world record transfer fee twice: in 1982 to Barcelona for £5 million, and in 1984 to Napoli for £6.9 million.
• In the 1986 World Cup quarter final, he scored both goals in a 2–1 victory over England, including the 'Hand of God' goal and the 'Goal of the Century'.
• Maradona led Napoli to their first Serie A league title, and their second three years later; he was later banned from the club for taking cocaine.

Notable Quotes (Wikiquote)

"I dream of being able to score another goal against England... this time with the right hand." — Diego Maradona "Less than a month before he died, referencing the hand of God. Quoted in Hannigan, Mary. "Funny old games: The sporting year in a year like no other", The Irish Times. 30 December 2020.

See section titled "Diego"." — Diego Maradona "http://www.conexionbrando.com/1314892-toti-pasman-vs-maradona-a-un-ano-del-la-tenes-adentro-quien-tenia-razon." — Diego Maradona "I am with Maduro, I will continue with him and I will die with him." — Diego Maradona