Diego Maradona

Diego Maradona was an Argentine professional footballer, born on October 30, 1960, in Buenos Aires. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest footballers of all time. Maradona began his professional career with Argentinos Juniors before moving to Boca Juniors, and later making a name for himself in Europe with Barcelona and Napoli.

Maradona is known for his incredible skill, creativity, vision, and the ability to score stunning goals. He won numerous individual awards, including the FIFA World Cup Golden Ball, and holds multiple records, such as being the first player to set the world record transfer fee twice.

Off the field, Maradona's life was marked by controversies due to his lifestyle and addiction issues, but his impact on the game remains unquestionable.

Argentinos Juniors

• Youth and Early Career: Maradona was born and raised in Buenos Aires and joined Argentinos Juniors' youth academy. He made his first-team debut for Argentinos Juniors in 1976.

Boca Juniors

• Early Success: Maradona signed with Boca Juniors in 1981. During his stint with Boca, he won the Argentine Primera División title.

Barcelona

• Record-breaking Transfer: In 1982, Maradona transferred to Barcelona for a then world-record fee. Despite facing injuries and controversies, he managed to win the Copa del Rey and Spanish Super Cup.

Napoli

• New Challenges: Maradona joined Napoli in 1984, where he led the team to its first-ever Serie A title. During his time at Napoli, he added another Serie A title, a Coppa Italia, and a UEFA Cup to his collection and is considered a club legend.

Argentina National Team

• Debut: Made his debut for Argentina in 1977.

Achievements:

• FIFA World Cup: Winner in 1986 where he also won the Golden Ball. He also led Argentina to the final in 1990.
• Maradona scored the infamous 'Hand of God' goal and the 'Goal of the Century' against England in the quarter-finals of the 1986 World Cup.

• Position: Primarily an attacking midfielder, but also excelled as a forward.
• Skills: Known for his incredible dribbling ability, creativity, agility, vision, and goal-scoring prowess. Maradona is celebrated for his versatility and the ability to change the game singlehandedly.

• Family: Maradona had five children. He was married to Claudia Villafañe from 1984 to 2003.
• Controversies: Maradona's life off the pitch was marked by numerous controversies due to his addiction issues and lifestyle choices.

• Diego Maradona is celebrated not only for his extraordinary talent and numerous records but also for his impact on the game. Despite his controversies, his status as a footballing icon remains unquestioned, inspiring millions of fans around the world.

FIFA World Cup Golden Ball:

• 1986

Most Goals for Napoli:

• 115 goals

Argentina's all-time great:

• Considered one of the greatest players in Argentine history

Books

• Maradona, D. (2000) Yo Soy El Diego. Buenos Aires: Planeta.
• Wilson, J. (2016) Angels with Dirty Faces: The Footballing History of Argentina. London: Orion Publishing Group.

Websites

• FIFA: Information about Diego Maradona’s international career and achievements. Available at: https://www.fifa.com
• Barcelona: Details about Maradona’s career at Barcelona. Available at: https://www.fcbarcelona.com
• Napoli: Official site with updates on Maradona’s performance and records at Napoli. Available at: https://www.sscnapoli.it
• UEFA: Updates and records of Maradona in UEFA competitions. Available at: https://www.uefa.com

Articles

• The Guardian: Diego Maradona’s career highlights and records. Available at: https://www.theguardian.com/football/diego-maradona

Interviews and Documentaries

• Maradona (2008): Directed by Emir Kusturica. This documentary provides a detailed look at Maradona’s life and career, featuring interviews with his family, friends, and colleagues.
• Diego Maradona (2019): Directed by Asif Kapadia. This documentary focuses on Maradona's time at Napoli and his impact on the city of Naples.