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Diego Maradona was more than just a legendary soccer player—he was a soccer god! The Argentinian footballer was undoubtedly one of the greatest of all time. The number 10 had it all: outstanding ball control, amazing dribbling skills, speed, game vision, and creativity. Maradona was both physically and technically proficient, and had a larger-than-life personality to match his star status.
He had his ups and downs in life, but it's undeniable that Maradona was a true icon. Many were shocked and saddened when he passed away in 2020 at the relatively young age of 60. He died of heart failure two weeks after undergoing brain surgery for a hematoma. It has been reported that Maradona's care prior to his death was "plagued by deficiencies and irregularities."
To honor this sporting great, browse through the following gallery and learn more about the life of "El Pibe de Oro."
Diego Armando Maradona was born on October 30, 1960, in Lanús, Buenos Aires Province, Argentina.
Maradona made his professional debut on October 20, 1976, for Argentinos Juniors. He was 15 at the time.
And one year later, in 1977, a 16-year-old Maradona made his international debut against Hungary.
In 1979, he won the Youth World Cup in Japan with Argentina.
In total, Maradona scored 34 goals in 91 appearances for Argentina.
In 1982, Maradona was transferred from Boca Juniors to FC Barcelona. He went down in history for being applauded by Real Madrid fans when he scored a magnificent goal against them!
At the end of his career in Barcelona, Maradona was involved in a huge fight at the 1984 Copa del Rey final against Athletic Bilbao. Around 60 people were injured in the mass brawl, including players, coaches, and photographers.
In 1984, Maradona became a Napoli player. With his help, the club won their first ever Serie A Italian Championship in 1986–87, among many other achievements.
Maradona holds the record for most fouls suffered in a World Cup (53 during Mexico 86) and most fouls in a single World Cup game (23 against Italy during Spain 82).
Maradona is known to have battled drug (most notably cocaine) and alcohol addiction. He was even arrested a few times. In his own words, "I was, I am and I always will be a drug addict. A person who gets involved in drugs has to fight it every day."
The Argentinian ace received massive fines from Napoli for missing games and practices, and in the 1994 World Cup he was sent home after testing positive for ephedrine doping.
The soccer star flew to Havana, Cuba and checked into rehab in 2000, and then again in 2004.
At one point, the former soccer star weighed 280 lbs (130 kg). He eventually underwent gastric bypass surgery in 2005.
Maradona holds a world record for the "Most football (soccer) FIFA World Cup appearances as captain." He did so 16 times in World Cup finals.
He was the first player in soccer history to set the world record transfer fee twice. First when he was transferred to Barcelona for US$7.6 million, and then when he transferred to Napoli for $10.48 million (pictured).
Maradona scored against England in the quarter final of the 1986 World Cup using his hand. England lost and Argentina went on to win the World Cup against West Germany.
When asked about the controversial goal, Maradona said: “The goal was scored a little bit by the hand of God, a little by the head of Maradona.”
Maradona once smashed a photographer’s car window. He said about the incident: “I did it with the hand of reason.”
Founded in 1998 in Rosario, Argentina, the Iglesia Maradoniana is a religion created by fans of Maradona, who believe he’s the best player of all time.
Members mark the year by Maradona’s birthday. For example, October 30, 2020 is 60 D.D, D.D meaning "después de Diego"–which means "after Diego" in English.
Maradona was known to sympathize with left-wing ideologies and was a friend of the late Cuban leader Fidel Castro. He even had a tattoo of his face on his leg.
He also had a tattoo of the argentinian revolutionary icon Che Guevara, this one on his arm.
The soccer rivalry between the two players (and their two countries) goes back a long way. In spite of this, Maradona invited Pelé to be the first guest on his TV talk show ‘La Noche del 10.’
His country was excited to have Diego Maradona as the national team’s manager in 2008. But he left the role after Argentina reached the quarter finals of the 2010 World Cup.
”Even if I played for a million years, I’d never come close to Maradona. Not that I’d want to anyway. He’s the greatest there’s ever been,” said the Barcelona star about Maradona.
"What Zidane could do with a ball, Maradona could do with an orange," said former player and ex-president of UEFA Michel Platini.
Here he is, celebrating an Argentina goal during the 2018 World Cup in Russia.
Until shortly before his death, Maradona continued to coach. In Argentina, his opponents provided him with thrones like this one and other gifts when his team was visiting. They may have been rivals, but he was still Diego Maradona, after all.
Remembering Diego 'El Pibe de Oro' Maradona
The soccer legend was born on October 30, 1960, in Argentina
CELEBRITY Sports
Diego Maradona was more than just a legendary soccer player—he was a soccer god! The Argentinian footballer was undoubtedly one of the greatest of all time. The number 10 had it all: outstanding ball control, amazing dribbling skills, speed, game vision, and creativity. Maradona was both physically and technically proficient, and had a larger-than-life personality to match his star status.
He had his ups and downs in life, but it's undeniable that Maradona was a true icon. Many were shocked and saddened when he passed away in 2020 at the relatively young age of 60. He died of heart failure two weeks after undergoing brain surgery for a hematoma. It has been reported that Maradona's care prior to his death was "plagued by deficiencies and irregularities."
To honor this sporting great, browse through the following gallery and learn more about the life of "El Pibe de Oro."