Diego Maradona Biography

Widely known for his excellent dribbling action, powerful assists, precise passing, and impressive footwork, Diego Maradona is considered one of the most controversial and newsworthy figures in soccer history. Soccer legend Maradona led his country Argentina to victory in the 1986 World Cup despite being embroiled in a great deal of controversy after scoring two contrasting goals in their 21st quarter-final win against Great Britain. Despite his primary role as an attacking midfielder, Maradona was the top scorer in Serie A in 198788, with 15 goals and became the all-time top scorer for Napoli scoring 115 goals. He had a crowning achievement while playing for the biggest club in the world, Barcelona, ​​and also won numerous accolades.

Early life and education of Diego Maradona

Born on October 30, 1960 at the Evita de Lanús Polyclinic Hospital, Buenos Aires, Argentina, Diego Maradona spent most of his early childhood on the southern outskirts of Buenos Aires. He was raised in a low-income family.

Maradona is the fifth of eight children born to Diego Sr. and Dalma Salvadora Franco . His two younger brothers were also professional soccer players. His nationality is Argentinian and his ethnicity/race is Caucasian. As a gift, he received his first soccer ball at the young age of 3 and slowly developed his passion for the game.

After Maradona showed his great potential playing for his neighborhood club Estrella Roja , he caught the eye of a scout when he was just 8 years old and became a staple of Los Cebollitas . He impressed the spectators by showing his magic with the ball. He considers Rivelino and Manchester United winger George Best as his inspirations and his hero.

Diego Maradona’s professional career

club career

Diego Maradona started his soccer career professionally 10 days before his 16th birthday playing for Argentinos Juniors . He spent half a decade at Argentinos scoring 115 goals in 167 appearances before making his $4 million transfer to Boca Juniors on February 20, 1981 and debuting two days later scoring twice in a win against Talleres de Crdoba . And he also helped them win the league title.

Following a 1982 World Cup loss, Maradona signed a contract for a world record fee of 5 million ($7.6 million) with the Spanish club. Barcelona . Under the guidance and training of the coach. Cesar Luis Menotti , the club won the Copa del Rey, Spain’s annual national cup competition defeating Real Madrid in the final.

Although he led the club to win the Copa del Rey and the Spanish Super Cup, he suffered from illness, injury and controversial incidents on the pitch throughout his tenure at Barcelona. During the match against Bilbao squad, Maradona hit former soccer player Andoni Goicoechea Olaskoaga . In response, the members of the Bilbao team surrounded Maradona and as soon as the fight broke out, the Barcelona players took to the field to protect their teammate. And then Maradona and his other teammates started kicking and hitting anyone wearing the Bilbao jersey. As a result, sixty people were injured.

Following the incident, Barcelona fired him from the club for his frequent undisciplined behavior on the pitch. Despite his outstanding performance with Barcelona, ​​he did not receive much praise. But he came under fire many times during his club career.

One Barcelona executive stated: ‘When I saw those Maradona fight scenes and the chaos that followed, I realized we couldn’t go through with it.’

During his two seasons with Barcelona, ​​Maradona scored 38 goals in 58 appearances. Maradona then made the transfer of him to Napoli in Italy’s Serie A for another world record fee, 6.9 million ($10.48 million). His association with the club was the most fruitful as he reached the peak of his professional career and helped the club enjoy immense success and victory becoming a adored star among the club’s fans. On July 5, 1984, he was introduced to the world media as a Napoli player at the Stadio San Paolo.

During his successful career with the club, Maradona led them to win the Italian Serie A Championship twice in 1986-87 and 1989-90. The versatile footballer later also helped the club win the Coppa Italia in 1987, the UEFA Cup in 1989 and the Italian Super Cup in 1990.

Despite his role as an attacking midfielder, Maradona also became the top scorer with 15 goals in Serie A in 198788. He was also the all-time top scorer with 115 goals for Napoli until surpassed by Marek Hamk in 2017. At the time, he also faced various criticism for his drug addiction and left the club in 1992, after not playing a game for 15 months due to failing a drug test.

Later, Maradona played for various professional soccer clubs, including Sevilla , Newell’s Old Boys , and Boca Juniors . The footballer also played for Tottenham Hotspur .

international career

Diego Maradona made his full international debut for the Argentine national team at the age of 16 when he played against Hungary on February 27, 1977. With his dribbling skills, vision, and ball control, Maradona led his team to win the World Championship. FIFA Youth 1979. Championship in Japan shining in Argentina’s 31 final victory over the Soviet Union. He made his senior appearance in 1979 and scored his first international goal in a 31-year-old win against Scotland on 2 June 1979.

The footballer played a World Cup tournament for the first time in 1982. Despite being defending champions, Argentina was unable to perform well during the 1983 World Cup as the team was kicked out of the tournament in the second round after they Brazil will defeat them. He scored two goals in the competition.

Maradona achieved a crowning achievement when he led Argentina under his captaincy to victory in the 1986 FIFA World Cup. He played a crucial role throughout the tournament scoring 5 goals and making 5 assists. He also became the most dynamic player in the tournament.

Maradona returned to continue his role as captain of the Argentina team at the 1990 FIFA World Cup in Italy. Playing a key role, he led his team to another World Cup final, although he suffered an ankle injury. But they were unable to replicate the success as Argentina lost 10 to West Germany in the final.

Maradona played just two games in the 1994 FIFA World Cup and scored once against Greece before being sent off for failing an ephedrine drug test at the end of his 17-year international career.

Maradona gave up 34 goals in 91 appearances, during his time with the Argentine national team.

Diego Maradona’s managerial career

After his long soccer career, Maradona made his transition into the field of management and led several professional clubs. In May 2011, he started working as the manager of the Dubai club. Al Wasl FC in the United Arab Emirates. And he also managed the Fujairah club .

After former Argentina national team coach Alfio Basile resigned, Maradona immediately applied for the vacant position and AFA president Julio Grondona confirmed on October 29, 2008 that Maradona would be the head coach of the national team starting in December 2008. And for the first time, he led the team on November 19, 2008 in a match against Scotland.

Awards and achievements of Diego Maradona

Diego Maradona won the Ballon d’Or award for best player of the tournament at the FIFA U-20 World Cup. He received the Diamond Konex award from the Argentine non-profit cultural organization Fundación Konex for being the best soccer player of the decade. The award was one of the most prestigious cultural awards in Argentina.

In 2000, Maradonna also won the FIFA Player of the Century award. The second goal he scored in the 1986 World Cup quarter-final match against the United Kingdom and was voted the Best Goal Scored in the World Cup in the 2002 FIFA poll. In the year 2010, he was listed as the top 10 World Cup players of all time by Times magazine.

Diego Maradona net worth

Diego Maradona net worth according to Celebrity and TheRichiet net worth is only $100,000. He owes the Italian government 37 million, including 23.5 million internet in past debt from him. Because he did not pay the amount, the Italian government has confiscated much of his real estate, jewelry, and cars.

It has been reported that Maradona only paid 42,000, two luxury watches and a set of earrings. He had a Ferrari Testarossa valued at $181,000.

By 1982, Maradona was backed by many world-renowned companies, including Puma and Coca-Cola, which earned him $1.5 million a year.

The controversy and subsequent abuse of Diego Maradona

During his lengthy football career, the footballer was embroiled in a host of controversies that nearly ended his illustrious career. Although his legacy still remains in the world of soccer, Maradona’s addiction and indiscipline have left a huge stain on his career. Maradona began using cocaine in the mid-1980s and became a regular user until 2004.

Despite his astonishing achievements at the club, Diego Maradona generated several controversies and made headlines for his drug addiction. At the time, he too was fined $70,000 by Napoli for missing their games and practice matches. He also made headlines after a scandal over an illegitimate son Diego Sinagra, now an Italian soccer player and beach soccer player.

One of his biggest controversies occurred during the 1982 World Cup when Maradona scored two contrasting goals in the quarterfinal match against the United Kingdom, however, Maradona’s first goal against the British was scored by hitting the ball with his hand.

Later, Maradona called it “a bit with the head of Maradona and a bit with the hand of God.” The goal was also known as the ‘Hand of God’. On August 22, 2005, Maradona admitted on his television show that he scored the goal by hitting the ball with his hand and his head did not touch the ball. And his second goal in the match was voted by FIFA as one of the greatest goals in World Cup history.

An unidentified journalist reported that Maradona offered him 500 euros to have sex. But the journalist denied the offer and informed the police. The accusation was resolved after the journalist confirmed the reports of her at a police department, saying that there was no violence and only a proposal.

Diego Maradona’s personal life

Diego Maradona married his longtime girlfriend Claudia Villafae on November 7, 1984 in Buenos Aires. The couple welcomed their first child, a daughter named Dalma Nerea on April 2, 1987. His wife Villafane gave birth to their second daughter Gianinna Dinorah on May 16, 1989.

Maradona admits in his autobiography that he was not always a perfect and loving husband to Claudia, although he mentions her as the love of his life. Despite their long marital journey, the couple filed for divorce on March 7, 2003, which was finalized the following year.

After their divorce, they maintained a friendly relationship and used to travel with their children to various places. She confirmed having an illegitimate son named Diego Sinagra , born in Naples on September 20, 1986. Her son is an Italian professional soccer player.

Maradona began dating Veronica Ojeda in 2005 and welcomed their first child, a son Diego Fernando Maradona on February 13, 2013 in Buenos Aires, Argentina. The couple separated in 2012. It was reported that he also has a daughter. Jana Maradona with her one-time girlfriend Valeria Sabalain .