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Argentine football player and manager (1960–2024)
"Maradona" redirects here. For other uses, see Maradona (disambiguation)
Diego Armando Maradona (Spanish: [ˈdjeɣo maɾaˈðona]; 30 👌 October 1960 – 25 November 2024) was an Argentine professional football player and manager. Widely regarded as one of the 👌 greatest players in the history of the sport, he was one of the two joint winners of the FIFA Player 👌 of the 20th Century award.
An advanced playmaker who operated in the classic number 10 position, Maradona's vision, passing, ball control, 👌 and dribbling skills were combined with his small stature, which gave him a low centre of gravity and allowed him 👌 to manoeuvre better than most other players. His presence and leadership on the field had a great effect on his 👌 team's general performance, while he would often be singled out by the opposition. In addition to his creative abilities, he 👌 possessed an eye for goal and was known to be a free kick specialist. A precocious talent, Maradona was given 👌 the nickname El Pibe de Oro ("The Golden Boy"), a name that stuck with him throughout his career.
Maradona was the 👌 first player to set the world record transfer fee twice: in 1982 when he transferred to Barcelona for £5 million, 👌 and in 1984 when he moved to Napoli for a fee of £6.9 million. He played for Argentinos Juniors, Boca 👌 Juniors, Barcelona, Napoli, Sevilla, and Newell's Old Boys during his club career, and is most famous for his time at 👌 Napoli where he won numerous accolades and led the club to Serie A title wins twice. Maradona also had a 👌 troubled off-field life and his time with Napoli ended after he was banned for taking cocaine.
In his international career with 👌 Argentina, he earned 91 caps and scored 34 goals. Maradona played in four FIFA World Cups, including the 1986 World 👌 Cup in Mexico, where he captained Argentina and led them to victory over West Germany in the final, 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 that entered football history for two different reasons. The first goal was an unpenalized handling 👌 foul known as the "Hand of God", while the second goal followed a 60 m (66 yd) dribble past five 👌 England players, voted "Goal of the Century" by FIFA voters in 2002.
Maradona became the coach of Argentina's national football team 👌 in November 2008. He was in charge of the team at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa before leaving 👌 at the end of the tournament. He then coached Dubai-based club Al Wasl in the UAE Pro-League for the 2011–12 👌 season. In 2024, Maradona became the coach of Fujairah before leaving at the end of the season. In May 2024, 👌 Maradona was announced as the new chairman of Belarusian club Dynamo Brest. He arrived in Brest and was presented by 👌 the club to start his duties in July. From September 2024 to June 2024, Maradona was coach of Mexican club 👌 Dorados. He was the coach of Argentine Primera División club Gimnasia de La Plata from September 2024 until his death 👌 in 2024. He was ranked as the third best all time football player by FourFourTwo magazine.[3]
Early years
Diego Armando Maradona was 👌 born on 30 October 1960, at the Policlínico (Polyclinic) Evita Hospital in Lanús, Buenos Aires Province, to a poor family 👌 that had moved from Corrientes Province; he was raised in Villa Fiorito, a shantytown on the southern outskirts of Buenos 👌 Aires, Argentina.[4][5] He was the first son after four daughters. He has two younger brothers, Hugo (el Turco) and Raúl 👌 (Lalo), both of whom were also professional football players.[6][7] His father Diego Maradona "Chitoro" (1927–2024), who worked at a chemicals 👌 factory, was of Guaraní (Indigenous) and Galician (Spanish) descent,[8] and his mother Dalma Salvadora Franco, "Doña Tota" (1930–2011), was of 👌 Italian and Croatian descent.[9][10][11][12]
When Diego came to Argentinos Juniors for trials, I was really struck by his talent and couldn't 👌 believe he was only eight years old. In fact, we asked him for his ID card so we could check 👌 it, but he told us he didn't have it on him. We were sure he was having us on because, 👌 although he had the physique of a child, he played like an adult. When we discovered he'd been telling us 👌 the truth, we decided to devote ourselves purely to him. Francisco Cornejo, youth coach who discovered Maradona[13]
Maradona playing at the 👌 Torneos Evita in 1973 (a national sporting event in Argentina) with the "Cebollitas"
Maradona's parents were both born and brought up 👌 in the town of Esquina in the north-east province of Corrientes on the banks of the Corriente River. In the 👌 1950s, they left Esquina and settled in Buenos Aires.[5] Maradona received his first football as a gift at age three 👌 and quickly became devoted to the game.[14] At age eight, he was spotted by a talent scout while he was 👌 playing in his local club Estrella Roja. In March 1969 he was recommended to Los Cebollitas (The Little Onions), the 👌 junior team of Buenos Aires's Argentinos Juniors by his close friend and football rival Gregorio Carrizo who had already been 👌 picked by coach Francis Gregorio Cornejo.[15][16] Maradona became a star for the Cebollitas, and as a 12-year-old ball boy he 👌 amused spectators by showing his ball skills during the halftime breaks of Argentinos Juniors' first division games.[17] During 1973 and 👌 1974, Maradona led Cebollitas to two Evita Tournament wins and 141 undefeated games in a row, playing alongside players like 👌 Adrian Domenech and Claudio Rodríguez, in what is regarded as the best youth team in the history of Argentine football.[18] 👌 Maradona named Brazilian playmaker Rivellino and Manchester United winger George Best among his inspirations growing up.[19][20]
Club career
Argentinos Juniors
Maradona's most famous 👌 nutmeg during his debut in the Primera División, 20 October 1976
On 20 October 1976, Maradona made his professional debut for 👌 Argentinos Juniors, 10 days before his 16th birthday,[21] versus Talleres de Córdoba. He entered to the pitch wearing the number 👌 16 jersey, and became the youngest player in the history of the Argentine Primera División. A few minutes into his 👌 debut, Maradona kicked the ball through the legs of Juan Domingo Cabrera, a nutmeg that would become symbolic of his 👌 talent.[22] After the game, Maradona said, "That day I felt I had held the sky in my hands."[23] Thirty years 👌 later, Cabrera remembered Maradona's debut: "I was on the right side of the field and went to press him, but 👌 he didn't give me a chance. He made the nutmeg and when I turned around, he was far away from 👌 me".[24] Maradona scored his first goal in the Primera División against Marplatense team San Lorenzo on 14 November 1976, two 👌 weeks after turning 16.[25]
Boca Juniors
Maradona being held aloft by fans of Boca Juniors after winning the 1981 Metropolitano championship
Maradona spent 👌 five years at Argentinos Juniors, from 1976 to 1981, scoring 115 goals in 167 appearances before his US$4 million transfer 👌 to Boca Juniors.[26] Maradona received offers to join other clubs, including River Plate who offered to make him the club's 👌 best paid player.[27] However, River decided to drop its bid due to its large payroll in keeping Daniel Passarella and 👌 Ubaldo Fillol.[28]
Maradona signed a contract with Boca Juniors on 20 February 1981. He made his debut two days later against 👌 Talleres de Córdoba, scoring twice in the club's 4–1 win. On 10 April, Maradona played his first Superclásico against River 👌 Plate at La Bombonera stadium. Boca defeated River 3–0 with Maradona scoring a goal after dribbling past Alberto Tarantini and 👌 Fillol.[29] Despite the distrustful relationship between Maradona and Boca Juniors manager, Silvio Marzolini,[30] Boca had a successful season, winning the 👌 league title after securing a point against Racing Club.[31] That would be the only title won by Maradona in the 👌 Argentine domestic league.[32]
Barcelona
"He had complete mastery of the ball. When Maradona ran with the ball or dribbled through the defence, 👌 he seemed to have the ball tied to his boots. I remember our early training sessions with him: the rest 👌 of the team were so amazed that they just stood and watched him. We all thought ourselves privileged to be 👌 witnesses of his genius." —Barcelona teammate Lobo Carrasco[33]
After the 1982 World Cup, in June, Maradona was transferred to Barcelona in 👌 Spain for a then world record fee of £5 million ($7.6 million).[34] In 1983, under coach César Luis Menotti, Barcelona 👌 and Maradona won the Copa del Rey (Spain's annual national cup competition), beating Real Madrid, and the Spanish Super Cup, 👌 beating Athletic Bilbao. On 26 June 1983, Barcelona won away to Real Madrid in one of the world's biggest club 👌 games, El Clásico, a match where Maradona scored and became the first Barcelona player to be applauded by arch-rival Real 👌 Madrid fans.[35] Maradona dribbled past Madrid goalkeeper Agustín, and as he approached the empty goal, he stopped just as Madrid 👌 defender Juan José came sliding in an attempt to block the shot. José ended up crashing into the post, before 👌 Maradona slotted the ball into the net.[36] With the manner in which the goal was scored resulting in applause from 👌 opposition fans, only Ronaldinho (in November 2005) and Andrés Iniesta (in November 2024) have since been granted such an ovation 👌 as Barcelona players from Madrid fans at the Santiago Bernabéu.[35][37]
The moment when Atlético de Bilbao defender Andoni Goikoetxea injured Maradona 👌 on 24 September 1983
Due to illness and injury as well as controversial incidents on the field, Maradona had a difficult 👌 tenure in Barcelona.[38] First a bout of hepatitis, then a broken ankle in a La Liga game at the Camp 👌 Nou in September 1983 caused by a reckless tackle by Athletic Bilbao's Andoni Goikoetxea—nicknamed "the Butcher of Bilbao"—threatened to jeopardise 👌 Maradona's career, but with treatment and rehabilitation, it was possible for him to return to the pitch after a three-month 👌 recovery period.[21][39]
Maradona with his fellow countryman Mario Kempes before a Barcelona match against Valencia
Maradona was directly involved in a violent 👌 and chaotic fight at the 1984 Copa del Rey Final at the Santiago Bernabéu stadium in Madrid against Athletic Bilbao.[40] 👌 After receiving another hard tackle by Goikoetxea, as well as being taunted with racist insults related to his father's Native 👌 American ancestry throughout the match by Bilbao fans, and being provoked by Bilbao's Miguel Sola at full time after Barcelona 👌 lost 1–0, Maradona snapped.[40] He aggressively got up, stood inches from Sola's face and the two exchanged words. This started 👌 a chain reaction of emotional reactions from both teams. Using expletives, Sola mimicked a gesture from the crowd towards Maradona 👌 by using a xenophobic term.[41] Maradona then headbutted Sola, elbowed another Bilbao player in the face and kneed another player 👌 in the head, knocking him out cold.[40] The Bilbao squad surrounded Maradona to exact some retribution, with Goikoetxea connecting with 👌 a high kick to his chest, before the rest of the Barcelona squad joined in to help Maradona. From this 👌 point, Barcelona and Bilbao players brawled on the field with Maradona in the centre of the action, kicking and punching 👌 anyone in a Bilbao shirt.[40]
The mass brawl was played out in front of the Spanish King Juan Carlos and an 👌 audience of 100,000 fans inside the stadium, and more than half of Spain watching on television.[42] After fans began throwing 👌 solid objects on the field at the players, coaches and even photographers, sixty people were injured, with the incident effectively 👌 sealing Maradona's transfer out of the club in what was his last game in a Barcelona shirt.[41] One Barcelona executive 👌 stated, "When I saw those scenes of Maradona fighting and the chaos that followed I realized we couldn't go any 👌 further with him."[42] Maradona got into frequent disputes with FC Barcelona executives, particularly club president Josep Lluís Núñez, culminating with 👌 a demand to be transferred out of Camp Nou in 1984. During his two injury-hit seasons at Barcelona, Maradona scored 👌 38 goals in 58 games.[43] Maradona transferred to Napoli in Italy's Serie A for another world record fee, £6.9 million 👌 ($10.48 million).[44]
Napoli
Maradona saluting the crowd at the Stadio San Paolo in Naples during his presentation on 5 July 1984
Maradona arrived 👌 in Naples and was presented to the world media as a Napoli player on 5 July 1984, where he was 👌 welcomed by 75,000 fans at his presentation at the Stadio San Paolo.[45] Sports writer David Goldblatt commented, "They [the fans] 👌 were convinced that the saviour had arrived."[46] A local newspaper stated that despite the lack of a "mayor, houses, schools, 👌 buses, employment and sanitation, none of this matters because we have Maradona".[46] Prior to Maradona's arrival, Italian football was dominated 👌 by teams from the north and centre of the country, such as A.C. Milan, Juventus, Inter Milan, and Roma, and 👌 no team in the south of the Italian Peninsula had ever won a league title. This was perhaps the perfect 👌 scenario for the Maradona and his working-class-sympathetic image, as he joined a once-great team that was facing relegation at the 👌 end of the 1983–84 Serie A season, in what was the toughest and most highly regarded football league in Europe.[46][47]
At 👌 Napoli, Maradona reached the peak of his professional career: he soon inherited the captain's armband from Napoli veteran defender Giuseppe 👌 Bruscolotti[48] and quickly became an adored star among the club's fans; in his time there he elevated the team to 👌 the most successful era in its history.[46] Maradona played for Napoli at a period when north–south tensions in Italy were 👌 at a peak due to a variety of issues, notably the economic differences between the two.[46] Led by Maradona, Napoli 👌 won their first ever Serie A Italian Championship in 1986–87.[46] Goldblatt wrote, "The celebrations were tumultuous. A rolling series of 👌 impromptu street parties and festivities broke out contagiously across the city in a round-the-clock carnival which ran for over a 👌 week. The world was turned upside down. The Neapolitans held mock funerals for Juventus and Milan, burning their coffins, their 👌 death notices announcing 'May 1987, the other Italy has been defeated. A new empire is born.'"[46] Murals of Maradona were 👌 painted on the city's ancient buildings, and newborn children were named in his honour.[46] The following season, the team's prolific 👌 attacking trio, formed by Maradona, Bruno Giordano, and Careca, was later dubbed the "Ma-Gi-Ca" (magical) front-line.[49]
Napoli would win their second 👌 league title in 1989–90, and finish runners up in the league twice, in 1987–88 and 1988–89.[46] Other honours during the 👌 Maradona era at Napoli included the Coppa Italia in 1987 (as well as a second-place finish in the Coppa Italia 👌 in 1989), the UEFA Cup in 1989, and the Italian Supercup in 1990.[46] During the 1989 UEFA Cup Final against 👌 Stuttgart, Maradona scored from a penalty in a 2–1 home victory in the first leg, later assisting Careca's match-winning goal,[50][51] 👌 while in the second leg on 17 May—a 3–3 away draw—he assisted Ciro Ferrara's goal with a header.[52][53] Despite primarily 👌 playing in a creative role as an attacking midfielder, Maradona was the top scorer in Serie A in 1987–88 with 👌 15 goals, and was the all-time leading goalscorer for Napoli, with 115 goals,[54] until his record was broken by Marek 👌 Hamšík in 2024.[32][55][56] When asked who was the toughest player he ever faced, A.C. Milan central defender Franco Baresi stated 👌 it was Maradona, a view shared by his Milan teammate Paolo Maldini.[57][58]
Although Maradona was successful on the field during his 👌 time in Italy, his personal problems increased. His cocaine use continued, and he received US$70,000 in fines from his club 👌 for missing games and practices, ostensibly because of "stress".[59] He faced a scandal there regarding an illegitimate son, and he 👌 was also the object of some suspicion over an alleged friendship with the Camorra crime syndicate.[60][61][62][63] He also faced intense 👌 backlash and harassment from some local fans after the 1990 World Cup, in which he and Argentina beat Italy in 👌 a semi-final match at the San Paolo stadium. In 2000, the number 10 jersey of Napoli was officially retired.[64] On 👌 4 December 2024, nine days after Maradona's death, Napoli's home stadium was renamed Stadio Diego Armando Maradona.[65]
Late career
After serving a 👌 15-month ban for failing a drug test for cocaine, Maradona left Napoli in disgrace in 1992. Despite interest from Real 👌 Madrid and Marseille, he signed for Sevilla, where he stayed for one year.[66] In 1993, he played for Newell's Old 👌 Boys and in 1995 returned to Boca Juniors for a two-year stint.[21] Maradona also appeared for Tottenham Hotspur in a 👌 testimonial match for Osvaldo Ardiles against Internazionale, shortly before the 1986 World Cup.[67] In 1996, he played in a friendly 👌 match alongside his brother Raul for Toronto Italia against the Canadian National Soccer League All-Stars.[68] In 2000, he captained Bayern 👌 Munich in a friendly against the German national team in the farewell game of Lothar Matthäus.[69] Maradona was himself given 👌 a testimonial match in November 2001, played between an all-star World XI and the Argentina national team.[70]
International career
During his time 👌 with the Argentina national team, Maradona scored 34 goals in 91 appearances. He made his full international debut at age 👌 16, against Hungary, on 27 February 1977. Maradona was left off the Argentine squad for the 1978 World Cup on 👌 home soil by coach César Luis Menotti who felt he was too young at age 17.[71] At age 18, Maradona 👌 played the 1979 FIFA World Youth Championship in Japan and emerged as the star of the tournament, shining in Argentina's 👌 3–1 final win over the Soviet Union, scoring a total of six goals in six appearances in the tournament.[72] On 👌 2 June 1979, Maradona scored his first senior international goal in a 3–1 win against Scotland at Hampden Park.[73] He 👌 went on to play for Argentina in two 1979 Copa América ties during August 1979, a 2–1 loss against Brazil 👌 and a 3–0 win over Bolivia in which he scored his side's third goal.[74]
Speaking thirty years later on the impact 👌 of Maradona's performances in 1979, FIFA President Sepp Blatter stated, "Everyone has an opinion on Diego Armando Maradona, and that's 👌 been the case since his playing days. My most vivid recollection is of this incredibly gifted kid at the second 👌 FIFA U-20 World Cup in Japan in 1979. He left everyone open-mouthed every time he got on the ball."[75] Maradona 👌 and his compatriot Lionel Messi are the only players to win the Golden Ball at both the FIFA U-20 World 👌 Cup and FIFA World Cup. Maradona did so in 1979 and 1986, which Messi emulated in 2005 and 2014 (and 👌 again in 2024).[76][77]
1982 World Cup
Maradona played his first World Cup tournament in 1982 in his new country of residence, Spain. 👌 Argentina played Belgium in the opening game of the 1982 Cup at the Camp Nou in Barcelona. Maradona did not 👌 perform to expectations,[78] as Argentina, the defending champions, lost 1–0. Although the team convincingly beat both Hungary and El Salvador 👌 in Alicante to progress to the second round, there were internal tensions within the team, with the younger, less experienced 👌 players at odds with the older, more experienced players. With a team that also included such players as Mario Kempes, 👌 Osvaldo Ardiles, Ramón Díaz, Daniel Bertoni, Alberto Tarantini, Ubaldo Fillol, and Daniel Passarella, the Argentine side was defeated in the 👌 second round by Brazil and by eventual winners Italy. The Italian match is renowned for Maradona being aggressively man-marked by 👌 Claudio Gentile, as Italy beat Argentina at the Sarrià Stadium in Barcelona, 2–1.[79]
Maradona played in all five matches without being 👌 substituted, scoring twice against Hungary. He was fouled repeatedly in all five games and particularly in the last one against 👌 Brazil at the Sarrià, a game that was blighted by poor officiating and violent fouls. With Argentina already down 3–0 👌 to Brazil, Maradona's temper eventually got the better of him and he was sent off with five minutes remaining for 👌 a serious retaliatory foul against Batista.[80][79]
1986 World Cup
Maradona holding the World Cup in 1986
Maradona captained the Argentine national team to 👌 victory in the 1986 World Cup in Mexico, winning the final in Mexico City against West Germany.[81] Throughout the tournament, 👌 Maradona asserted his dominance and was the most dynamic player of the competition. He played every minute of every Argentina 👌 game, scoring five goals and making five assists; three of the assists came in the opening match against South Korea 👌 at the Olímpico Universitario Stadium in Mexico City. His first goal of the tournament came against Italy in the second 👌 group game in Puebla.[82] Argentina eliminated Uruguay in the first knockout round in Puebla, setting up a match against England 👌 at the Azteca Stadium, also in Mexico City.
After scoring two contrasting goals in the 2–1 quarter-final win against England, his 👌 legend was cemented.[39] The majesty of his second goal and the notoriety of his first led to the French newspaper 👌 L'Équipe describing Maradona as "half-angel, half-devil".[83] This match was played with the background of the Falklands War between Argentina and 👌 the United Kingdom.[84] Replays showed that the first goal was scored by striking the ball with his hand. Maradona was 👌 coyly evasive, describing it as "a little with the head of Maradona and a little with the hand of God".[81] 👌 It became known as the "Hand of God". Ultimately, on 22 August 2005, Maradona acknowledged on his television show that 👌 he had hit the ball with his hand purposely, and no contact with his head was made, and that he 👌 immediately knew the goal was illegitimate. This became known as an international fiasco in World Cup history. The goal stood, 👌 much to the wrath of the English players.[85]
"Maradona, turns like a little eel and comes away from trouble, little squat 👌 man... comes inside Butcher and leaves him for dead, outside Fenwick and leaves him for dead, and puts the ball 👌 away... and that is why Maradona is the greatest player in the world." —Bryon Butler's BBC Radio commentary on Maradona's 👌 second goal against England.[86]
Maradona's second goal, just four minutes after the hotly disputed hand-goal, was later voted by FIFA as 👌 the greatest goal in the history of the World Cup. He received the ball in his own half, swivelled around 👌 and with 11 touches ran more than half the length of the field, dribbling past five English outfield players (Peter 👌 Beardsley, Steve Hodge, Peter Reid, Terry Butcher, and Terry Fenwick) before he left goalkeeper Peter Shilton on his backside with 👌 a feint, and slotted the ball into the net.[87] This goal was voted "Goal of the Century" in a 2002 👌 online poll conducted by FIFA.[88] A 2002 Channel 4 poll in the UK saw his performance ranked number 6 in 👌 the list of the 100 Greatest Sporting Moments.[89]
Maradona right before scoring the "Goal of the Century" (four minutes after his 👌 "Hand of God" goal) against England in Mexico 1986. In 2024, his shirt sold for £7.1 million ($9.3 million), the 👌 highest for a piece of sports memorabilia.[90]
Maradona followed this with two more goals in a semi-final match against Belgium at 👌 the Azteca, including another virtuoso dribbling display for the second goal. In the final match, West Germany attempted to contain 👌 him by double-marking him, but in the 84th minute he nevertheless found space past West German player Lothar Matthäus to 👌 give the final pass to Jorge Burruchaga for the winning goal. Argentina beat West Germany 3–2 in front of 115,000 👌 fans at the Azteca with Maradona lifting the World Cup as captain.[91]
During the tournament, Maradona attempted or created more than 👌 half of Argentina's shots, attempted a tournament-best 90 dribbles—three times more than any other player—and was fouled a record 53 👌 times, winning his team twice as many free kicks as any player.[80] Maradona scored or assisted 10 of Argentina's 14 👌 goals (71%), including the assist for the winning goal in the final, ensuring that he would be remembered as one 👌 of the greatest names in football history.[80][92] By the end of the World Cup, Maradona went on to win the 👌 Golden Ball as the best player of the tournament by unanimous vote and was widely regarded to have won the 👌 World Cup virtually single-handedly, something that he later stated he did not entirely agree with.[80][93][94][95] Zinedine Zidane, watching the 1986 👌 World Cup as a 14-year-old, stated Maradona "was on another level".[96] In a tribute to him, Azteca Stadium authorities built 👌 a statue of him scoring the "Goal of the Century" and placed it at the entrance of the stadium.[97]
Regarding Maradona's 👌 performance at the 1986 World Cup in Mexico, in 2014, Roger Bennett of ESPN FC described it as "the most 👌 virtuoso performance a World Cup has ever witnessed,"[98] while Kevin Baxter of the Los Angeles Times called it "one of 👌 the greatest individual performances in tournament history,"[99] with Steven Goff of The Washington Post dubbing his performance as "one of 👌 the finest in tournament annals."[100] In 2002, Russell Thomas of The Guardian described Maradona's second goal against England in the 👌 1986 World Cup quarter-finals as "arguably the greatest individual goal ever."[101] In a 2009 article for CBC Sports, John Molinaro 👌 described the goal as "the greatest ever scored in the tournament – and, maybe, in soccer."[102] In a 2024 article 👌 for Sportsnet, he added: "No other player, not even Pel[é] in 1958 nor Paolo Rossi in 1982, had dominated a 👌 single competition the way Maradona did in Mexico." He also went on to say of Maradona's performance: "The brilliant Argentine 👌 artist single-handedly delivered his country its second World Cup." Regarding his two memorable goals against England in the quarter-finals, he 👌 commented: "Yes, it was Maradona's hand, and not God's, that was responsible for the first goal against England. But while 👌 the 'Hand of God' goal remains one of the most contentious moments in World Cup history, there can be no 👌 disputing that his second goal against England ranks as the greatest ever scored in the tournament. It transcended mere sports 👌 – his goal was pure art."[103]
1990 World Cup
Maradona captained Argentina again in the 1990 World Cup in Italy to yet 👌 another World Cup final. An ankle injury affected his overall performance, and he was much less dominant than four years 👌 earlier, and the team were missing three of their best players due to injury. After losing their opening game to 👌 Cameroon at the San Siro in Milan, Argentina were almost eliminated in the group stage, only qualifying in third position 👌 from their group. In the round of 16 match against Brazil in Turin, Claudio Caniggia scored the only goal after 👌 being set up by Maradona.[104]
In the quarter-final, Argentina faced Yugoslavia in Florence; the match ended 0–0 after 120 minutes, with 👌 Argentina advancing in a penalty shootout even though Maradona's kick, a weak shot to the goalkeeper's right, was saved. The 👌 semi-final against the host nation Italy at Maradona's club stadium in Naples, the Stadio San Paolo, was also resolved on 👌 penalties after a 1–1 draw. This time, however, Maradona was successful with his effort, daringly rolling the ball into the 👌 net with an almost exact replica of his unsuccessful kick in the previous round. At the final in Rome, Argentina 👌 lost 1–0 to West Germany, the only goal being a controversial penalty scored by Andreas Brehme in the 85th minute, 👌 after Rudi Völler was adjudged to be fouled.[104]
1994 World Cup
At the 1994 World Cup in the United States, Maradona played 👌 in only two games (both at the Foxboro Stadium near Boston), scoring one goal against Greece, before being sent home 👌 after failing a drug test for ephedrine doping.[105] After scoring Argentina's third goal against Greece, Maradona had one of the 👌 most remarkable World Cup goal celebrations as he ran towards one of the sideline cameras shouting with a distorted face 👌 and bulging eyes, in sheer elation of his return to international football.[106] This turned out to be Maradona's last international 👌 goal for Argentina.[107] In the second game, a 2–1 victory over Nigeria which was to be his last game for 👌 Argentina, he set up both of his team's goals on free kicks, the second an assist to Caniggia, in what 👌 were two very strong showings by the Argentine team.[108]
In his autobiography, Maradona argued that the test result was due to 👌 his personal trainer giving him the energy drink Rip Fuel.[109] His claim was that the U.S. version, unlike the Argentine 👌 one, contained the chemical and that, having run out of his Argentine dosage, his trainer unwittingly bought the U.S. formula.[109] 👌 FIFA expelled him from USA '94, and Argentina were subsequently eliminated in the round of 16 by Romania in Los 👌 Angeles, having been a weaker team without Maradona, even with players like Gabriel Batistuta and Caniggia on the squad.[110] Maradona 👌 also separately claimed that he had an agreement with FIFA, on which the organization reneged, to allow him to use 👌 the drug for weight loss before the competition in order to be able to play.[111] His failed drug test at 👌 the 1994 World Cup signalled the end of his international career, which lasted 17 years and yielded 34 goals from 👌 91 games, including one winner's medal and one runners-up medal in the World Cup.[112]
Alongside official internationals, Maradona also played and 👌 scored for an Argentina XI against the World XI in 1978 to mark the first anniversary of their first World 👌 Cup win,[113][114] scored for The Americas against the World in a UNICEF fundraiser a short time after the 1986 triumph,[113][114] 👌 a year after that captained the 'Rest of the World' against the English Football League XI to celebrate the organisation's 👌 centenary (after reportedly securing a £100,000 appearance fee)[115][116] and was on the scoresheet for the Argentina XI once more in 👌 his own 'farewell match' in 2001.[117]
Player profile
Style of play
Maradona exhibiting his ball control in a match against Lazio. Michel Platini 👌 stated, "Diego was capable of things no one else could match. The things I could do with a football, he 👌 could do with an orange."[13]
Described as a "classic number 10" in the media,[118] Maradona was a traditional playmaker who usually 👌 played in a free role, either as an attacking midfielder behind the forwards, or as a second striker in a 👌 front–two,[119][120][121] although he was also deployed as an offensive–minded central midfielder in a 4–4–2 formation on occasion.[122][123][124][125] A precocious talent, 👌 Maradona was given the nickname "El Pibe de Oro" ("The Golden Boy"), a name that stuck with him throughout his 👌 career.[126] He was renowned for his dribbling ability, vision, close ball control, passing, and creativity, and is considered to have 👌 been one of the most skilful players in the sport.[95][127][128] He had a compact physique, and with his strong legs, 👌 low center of gravity, and resulting balance, he could withstand physical pressure well while running with the ball, despite his 👌 small stature,[98][129][130] while his acceleration, quick feet, and agility, combined with his dribbling skills and close control at speed, allowed 👌 him to change direction quickly, making him difficult for opponents to defend against.[131][132][133][134]
Viewed as one of the best dribblers in 👌 the game, Maradona (pictured on the ball against Belgium in 1986) would often go on runs against the opposition.
On his 👌 dribbling ability, former Dutch player Johan Cruyff saw similarities between Maradona and Lionel Messi with the ball seemingly attached to 👌 their boot.[135][136][137] His physical strengths were illustrated by his two goals against Belgium in the 1986 World Cup. Although he 👌 was known for his penchant for undertaking individual runs with the ball,[138] he was also a strategist and an intelligent 👌 team player, with excellent spatial awareness, as well as being highly technical with the ball. He was effective in limited 👌 spaces, and would attract defenders only to quickly dash out of the melee (as in the second goal against England 👌 in 1986),[139][140][141][142] or give an assist to a free teammate. Being short, but strong, he could hold the ball long 👌 enough with a defender on his back to wait for a teammate making a run or to find a gap 👌 for a quick shot. He showed leadership qualities on the field and captained Argentina in their World Cup campaigns of 👌 1986, 1990, and 1994.[143][144] While he was primarily a creative playmaker, Maradona was also known for his finishing and goalscoring 👌 ability.[95][145] Former Milan manager Arrigo Sacchi also praised Maradona for his defensive work-rate off the ball in a 2010 interview 👌 with Il Corriere dello Sport.[146]
Maradona at the 1986 World Cup in Mexico
The team leader on and off the field – 👌 he would speak up on a range of issues on behalf of the players – Maradona's ability as a player 👌 and his overpowering personality had a major positive effect on his team, with his 1986 World Cup teammate Jorge Valdano 👌 stating:
Maradona was a technical leader: a guy who resolved all difficulties that may come up on the pitch. Firstly, he 👌 was in charge of making the miracles happen, that's something that gives team-mates a lot of confidence. Secondly, the scope 👌 of his celebrity was such that he absorbed all the pressures on behalf of his team-mates. What I mean is: 👌 one slept soundly the night before a game not just because you knew you were playing next to Diego and 👌 Diego did things no other player in the world could do, but also because unconsciously we knew that if it 👌 was the case that we lost then Maradona would shoulder more of the burden, would be blamed more, than the 👌 rest of us. That was the kind of influence he exercised on the team.[147]
Lauding the "charisma" of Maradona, another of 👌 his Argentina teammates, prolific striker Gabriel Batistuta, stated, "Diego could command a stadium, have everyone watch him. I played with 👌 him and I can tell you how technically decisive he was for the team".[148] Napoli's former president – Corrado Ferlaino 👌 – commented on Maradona's leadership qualities during his time with the club in 2008, describing him as "a coach on 👌 the pitch."[149]
"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." —Lionel Messi, the player most closely identified with the "New Maradona" label.[75]
One of 👌 Maradona's trademark moves was dribbling full-speed on the right wing, and on reaching the opponent's goal line, delivering accurate passes 👌 to his teammates. Another trademark was the rabona, a reverse-cross pass shot behind the leg that holds all the weight.[150] 👌 This manoeuvre led to several assists, such as the cross for Ramón Díaz's header against Switzerland in 1980.[151] Moreover, he 👌 was also a well–known proponent of the roulette, a feint which involved him dragging the ball back first with one 👌 foot and then the other, while simultaneously performing a 360° turn; due to his penchant for using this move, it 👌 has even occasionally been described as the "Maradona turn" in the media.[152] He was also a dangerous free kick and 👌 penalty kick taker, who was renowned for his ability to bend the ball from corners and direct set pieces.[153][154][155] Regarded 👌 as one of the best dead-ball specialists of all time,[156][157][158] his free kick technique, which often saw him raise his 👌 knee at a high angle when striking the ball, thus enabling him to lift it high over the wall, allowed 👌 him to score free kicks even from close range, within 22 to 17 yards (20 to 16 metres) from the 👌 goal, or even just outside the penalty area.[160] His style of taking free kicks influenced several other specialists, including Gianfranco 👌 Zola,[158] Andrea Pirlo,[161] and Lionel Messi.[162]
Maradona was famous for his cunning personality.[163] Some critics view his controversial "Hand of God" 👌 goal at the 1986 World Cup as a clever manoeuvre, with one of the opposition players, Glenn Hoddle, admitting that 👌 Maradona had disguised it by flicking his head at the same time as palming the ball.[164] The goal itself has 👌 been viewed as an embodiment of the Buenos Aires shanty town Maradona was brought up in and its concept of 👌 viveza criolla—"cunning of the criollos".[165] Although critical of the illegitimate first goal, England striker Gary Lineker conceded, "When Diego scored 👌 that second goal against us, I felt like applauding. It was impossible to score such a beautiful goal. He's the 👌 greatest player of all time, by a long way. A genuine phenomenon."[13] Maradona used his hand in the 1990 World 👌 Cup, again without punishment, and this time on his own goal line, to prevent the Soviet Union from scoring.[166] A 👌 number of publications have referred to Maradona as the Artful Dodger, the urchin pickpocket from Charles Dickens' Oliver Twist.[167][168][169][170]
Maradona was 👌 dominantly left-footed, often using his left foot even when the ball was positioned more suitably for a right-footed connection.[171] His 👌 first goal against Belgium in the 1986 World Cup semi-final is a worthy indicator of such; he had run into 👌 the inside right channel to receive a pass but let the ball travel across to his left foot, requiring more 👌 technical ability. During his run past several England players in the previous round for the "Goal of the Century" he 👌 did not use his right foot once, despite spending the whole movement on the right-hand side of the pitch. In 👌 the 1990 World Cup second-round tie against Brazil, he used his right foot to set up the winning goal for 👌 Claudio Caniggia due to two Brazilian markers forcing him into a position that made use of his left foot less 👌 practical.[172]
Reception
Pelé scored more goals. Lionel Messi has won more trophies. Both have lived more stable lives than the overweight former 👌 cocaine addict who tops this list, whose relationship with football became increasingly strained the longer his career continued. If you've 👌 seen Diego Maradona with a football at his feet, you'll understand. Andrew Murray on Maradona topping FourFourTwo magazine's "100 Greatest 👌 Footballers Ever" list, July 2024.[173]
Maradona (right) and Lionel Messi in The Sistine Chapel of Football painting, on a ceiling of 👌 a sports club in Barracas, Buenos Aires
Maradona is widely regarded as the best player of his generation.[140] He is considered 👌 one of the greatest players of all time by pundits, players, and managers,[75][174][175] and by some as the best player 👌 ever.[173][176][177][178] Known as one of the most skilful players in the game, he is regarded as one of the greatest 👌 dribblers[98][129][136][137] and free kick takers in history.[156][157][158] A precocious talent in his youth,[126] in addition to his playing ability, Maradona 👌 also drew praise from his former manager Menotti for his dedication, determination, and the work-ethic he demonstrated in order to 👌 improve the technical aspect of his game in training, despite his natural gifts, with the manager noting: "I'm always cautious 👌 about using the word 'genius'. I find it hard to apply that even to Mozart. The beauty of Diego's game 👌 has a hereditary element – his natural ease with the ball – but it also owes a lot to his 👌 ability to learn: a lot of those brushstrokes, those strokes of 'genius', are in fact a product of his hard 👌 work. Diego worked very hard to be the best."[179] Maradona's former Napoli manager – Ottavio Bianchi – also praised his 👌 discipline in training, commenting: "Diego is different to the one that they depict. When you got him on his own 👌 he was a very good kid. It was beautiful to watch him and coach him. They all speak of the 👌 fact that he did not train, but it was not true because Diego was the last person to leave the 👌 pitch, it was necessary to send him away because otherwise he would stay for hours to invent free kicks."[180] However, 👌 although, as Bianchi noted, Maradona was known for making "great plays" and doing "unimaginable" and "incredible things" with the ball 👌 during training sessions,[181][182][183] and would even go through periods of rigorous exercise, he was equally known for his limited work-rate 👌 in training without the ball, and even gained a degree of infamy during his time in Italy for missing training 👌 sessions with Napoli, while he often trained independently instead of with his team.[181][184][185][186]
Mural of Maradona in Buenos Aires, created following 👌 his death
In a 2024 documentary film on his life, Diego Maradona, Maradona confessed that his weekly regime consisted of "playing 👌 a game on Sunday, going out until Wednesday, then hitting the gym on Thursday." Regarding his inconsistent training regimen, the 👌 film's director, Asif Kapadia, commented in 2024: "He had a metabolism. He would look so incredibly out of shape, but 👌 then he'd train like crazy and sweat it off by the time matchday came along. His body shape just didn't 👌 look like a footballer, but then he had this ability and this balance. He had a way of being, and 👌 that idea of talking to him honestly about how a typical week transpired was pretty amazing." He also revealed that 👌 Maradona was ahead of his time in the fact that he had a personal fitness coach – Fernando Signorini – 👌 who trained him in a variety of areas, in addition to looking after his physical conditioning, adding: "While he [Maradona] 👌 was in a football team he had his own regime. How many players would do that? How many players would 👌 even know to think like that? 'I'm different to anyone else so I need to train at what I'm good 👌 at and what I'm weak at.' Signorini is very well read and very intelligent. He would literally say, 'This is 👌 the way I'm going to train you, read this book.' He would help him psychologically, talk to him about philosophy, 👌 and things like that."[187][188] Moreover, Maradona was notorious for his poor diet and extreme lifestyle off the pitch, including his 👌 use of illicit drugs and alcohol abuse, which along with personal issues, his metabolism, medication that he was prescribed, and 👌 periods of inactivity due to injuries and suspensions, led to his significant weight–gain and physical decline as his career progressed; 👌 his lack of discipline and difficulties in his turbulent personal life are thought by some in the sport to have 👌 negatively impacted his performances and longevity in the later years of his playing career.[179][189][190]
A controversial figure in the sport, while 👌 he earned critical acclaim from players, pundits, and managers over his playing style, he also drew criticism in the media 👌 for his temper and confrontational behaviour, both on and off the pitch.[191][192][193] However, in 2005, Paolo Maldini, described Maradona both 👌 as the greatest player he ever faced, and also as the most honest, stating: "He was a model of good 👌 behaviour on the pitch – he was respectful of everyone, from the great players down to the ordinary team member. 👌 He was always getting kicked around and he never complained – not like some of today's strikers."[194] Franco Baresi stated 👌 when he was asked who was his greatest opponent: "Maradona; when he was on form, there was almost no way 👌 of stopping him,"[57] while fellow former Italy defender Giuseppe Bergomi described Maradona as the greatest player of all time in 👌 2024.[195] Zlatan Ibrahimović said that his off-field antics did not matter, and that he should only be judged for the 👌 impact he made on the field. "For me Maradona is more than football. What he did as a footballer, in 👌 my opinion, he will be remembered forever. When you see number 10 who do you think about? Maradona. It is 👌 a symbol, even today there are those who choose that number for him."[196]
Today his skills would afford him greater protection. 👌 Back then they merely served as the red rag of provocation that would guarantee he would be the victim of 👌 brutal challenges wherever he played. The rules changed as a direct result of some of the injuries Maradona received. When 👌 I interviewed him a few years ago, he told me he thought players such as Lionel Messi owed him a 👌 great deal because some of the tackles he had endured would never be allowed today. Guillem Balagué writing for the 👌 BBC in 2024 on 'the magician, the cheat, the god, the flawed genius'.[39]
In 1999, Maradona was placed second behind Pelé 👌 by World Soccer in the magazine's list of the "100 Greatest Players of the 20th Century".[197] Along with Pelé, Maradona 👌 was one of the two joint winners of the "FIFA Player of the Century" award in 2000,[198][174] and also placed 👌 fifth in "IFFHS' Century Elections".[199] In a 2014 FIFA poll, Maradona was voted the second-greatest number 10 of all time, 👌 behind only Pelé,[200] and later that year, was ranked second in The Guardian's list of the 100 greatest World Cup 👌 players of all-time, ahead of the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, once again behind Pelé.[201] In 2024, FourFourTwo ranked him 👌 in first place in their list of "100 greatest players",[173] while in 2024 he was ranked in first place by 👌 the same magazine in their list of the "Greatest Football Players in World Cup History"; in March 2024, he was 👌 also ranked first by Jack Gallagher of 90min in their list of "Top 50 Greatest Players of All Time".[203] In 👌 May 2024, Sky Sports ranked Maradona as the best player never to have won the UEFA Champions League/European Cup.[204]
Retirement and 👌 tributes
Diego Maradona's blaugrana shirt on display in the FC Barcelona Museum
Hounded for years by the press, Maradona once fired a 👌 compressed-air rifle at reporters whom he claimed were invading his privacy.[205][206] This quote from former teammate Jorge Valdano summarises the 👌 feelings of many:
He is someone many people want to emulate, a controversial figure, loved, hated, who stirs great upheaval, especially 👌 in Argentina... Stressing his personal life is a mistake. Maradona has no peers inside the pitch, but he has turned 👌 his life into a show, and is now living a personal ordeal that should not be imitated.[207]
In 1990, the Konex 👌 Foundation from Argentina granted him the Diamond Konex Award, one of the most prestigious culture awards in Argentina, as the 👌 most important personality in Sports in the last decade in his country.[208]
In April 1996, Maradona had a three-round exhibition boxing 👌 match with Santos Laciar for charity.[209] In 2000, Maradona published his autobiography Yo Soy El Diego ("I am The Diego"), 👌 which became a bestseller in Argentina.[210] Two years later, Maradona donated the Cuban royalties of his book to "the Cuban 👌 people and Fidel".[211]
Maradona at the Soccer Aid charity game at Old Trafford, Manchester, in May 2006, after losing weight
In 2000, 👌 he won FIFA Player of the Century award which was to be decided by votes on their official website, their 👌 official magazine and a grand jury. Maradona won the Internet-based poll, garnering 53.6% of the votes against 18.53% for Pelé.[212] 👌 In spite of this, and shortly before the ceremony, FIFA added a second award and appointed a "Football Family" committee 👌 composed of football journalists that also gave to Pelé the title of best player of the century to make it 👌 a draw. Maradona also came fifth in the vote of the IFFHS (International Federation of Football History and Statistics).[199] In 👌 2001, the Argentine Football Association (AFA) asked FIFA for authorisation to retire the jersey number 10 for Maradona. FIFA did 👌 not grant the request, even though Argentine officials have maintained that FIFA hinted that it would.[213]
Maradona has topped a number 👌 of fan polls, including a 2002 FIFA poll in which his second goal against England was chosen as the best 👌 goal ever scored in a World Cup; he also won the most votes in a poll to determine the All-Time 👌 Ultimate World Cup Team. On 22 March 2010, Maradona was chosen number 1 in 'The Greatest 10 World Cup Players 👌 of All Time' by the London-based newspaper The Times.[214] Argentinos Juniors named its stadium after Maradona on 26 December 2003. 👌 In 2003, Maradona was employed by the Libyan footballer Al-Saadi Gaddafi, the third son of Colonel Muammar Gaddafi, as a 👌 "technical consultant", while Al-Saadi was playing for the Italian club, Perugia, which was playing in Serie A at the time.[215]
Maradona 👌 in Kolkata, India, in December 2008. Maradona laid the foundation stone for a football academy in the eastern suburbs of 👌 the city, and was greeted by over 100,000 fans in Salt Lake Stadium.[216]
On 22 June 2005, it was announced that 👌 Maradona would return to former club Boca Juniors as a sports vice-president in charge of managing the First Division roster 👌 (after a disappointing 2004–05 season, which coincided with Boca's centenary).[217][218] His contract began 1 August 2005, and one of his 👌 first recommendations proved to be very effective: advising the club to hire Alfio Basile as the new coach.[219] With Maradona 👌 fostering a close relationship with the players, Boca won the 2005 Apertura, the 2006 Clausura, the 2005 Copa Sudamericana, and 👌 the 2005 Recopa Sudamericana.[220]
On 15 August 2005, Maradona made his debut as host of a talk-variety show on Argentine television, 👌 La Noche del 10 ("The Night of the no. 10"). His main guest on opening night was Pelé; the two 👌 had a friendly chat, showing no signs of past differences.[221] However, the show also included a cartoon villain with a 👌 clear physical resemblance to Pelé. In subsequent evenings, he led the ratings on all occasions but one. Most guests were 👌 drawn from the worlds of football and show business, including Ronaldo and Zinedine Zidane, but also included interviews with other 👌 notable friends and personalities such as Cuban leader Fidel Castro and boxers Roberto Durán and Mike Tyson.[222] Maradona gave each 👌 of his guests a signed Argentina jersey, which Tyson wore when he arrived in Brazil, Argentina's biggest rivals.[223] In November 👌 2005, however, Maradona rejected an offer to work with Argentina's national football team.[224]
In May 2006, Maradona agreed to take part 👌 in UK's Soccer Aid (a program to raise money for UNICEF).[225] In September 2006, Maradona, in his famous blue and 👌 white number 10, was the captain for Argentina in a three-day World Cup of Indoor Football tournament in Spain. On 👌 26 August 2006, it was announced that Maradona was quitting his position in the club Boca Juniors because of disagreements 👌 with the AFA, who selected Alfio Basile to be the new coach of the Argentina national team.[226] In 2008, Serbian 👌 filmmaker Emir Kusturica made Maradona, a documentary about Maradona's life.[227]
On 1 September 2014, Maradona, along with many current and former 👌 footballing stars, took part in the "Match for Peace", which was played at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome, with the 👌 proceeds being donated entirely to charity.[228] Maradona set up a goal for Roberto Baggio during the first half of the 👌 match, with a chipped through-ball over the defence with the outside of his left foot.[229] Unusually, both Baggio and Maradona 👌 wore the number 10 shirt, despite playing on the same team.[229] On 17 August 2024, Maradona visited Ali Bin Nasser, 👌 the Tunisian referee of the Argentina–England quarter-final match at the 1986 World Cup where Maradona scored his Hand of God, 👌 and paid tribute to him by giving him a signed Argentine jersey.[230][231]
Managerial career
Club management
Maradona greeting fans after being appointed manager 👌 of Dubai club Al Wasl of UAE in 2011
Maradona began his managerial career alongside former Argentinos Juniors midfield teammate Carlos 👌 Fren. The pair led Mandiyú of Corrientes in 1994 and Racing Club in 1995, with little success.[163][232] In May 2011 👌 he became manager of Dubai club Al Wasl FC in the United Arab Emirates.[233][234] Maradona was sacked on 10 July 👌 2012.[235][236][237] In August 2013, Maradona moved on to become 'spiritual coach' at Argentine club Deportivo Riestra.[238] Maradona departed this role 👌 in 2024 to become the head coach of Fujairah, in the UAE second division, before leaving at the end of 👌 the season upon failure to secure promotion at the club.[239][240] In May 2024, Maradona was announced as the new chairman 👌 of Belarusian club Dynamo Brest.[241] He arrived in Brest and was presented by the club to start his duties in 👌 July.[242] In September 2024, he was appointed manager of Mexican second division side Dorados.[243] He made his debut with Dorados 👌 on 17 September with a 4–1 victory over Cafetaleros de Tapachula.[244] On 13 June 2024, after Dorados failed to clinch 👌 promotion to the Mexican top flight, Maradona's lawyer announced that he would be stepping down from the role, citing health 👌 reasons.[245]
On 5 September 2024, Maradona was unveiled as the new head coach of Gimnasia de La Plata, signing a contract 👌 until the end of the season.[246] After two months in charge he left the club on 19 November.[247] However, two 👌 days later, Maradona rejoined the club as manager saying that "we finally achieved political unity in the club".[248] Maradona insisted 👌 that Gabriel Pellegrino remain club president if he were to stay with Gimnasia de La Plata.[249][250] However it was still 👌 not clear if Pellegrino, who declined to run for re-election,[249][250] would stay on as club President.[249][250] Originally scheduled to be 👌 held on 23 November,[249] the election was delayed 15 days.[250] On 15 December, Pellegrino, who was encouraged by Maradona to 👌 seek re-election, was re-elected to a three-year term.[251] Despite having a bad record during the 2024–20 season, Gimnasia renewed Maradona's 👌 contract on 3 June 2024 for the 2024–21 season.[252] In November 2024, Maradona died in post. His coaching staff resigned 👌 from the club following his death.[253]
International management
After the resignation of Argentina national team coach Alfio Basile in 2008, Maradona immediately 👌 proposed his candidacy for the vacant role.[254] According to several press sources, his major challengers included; Diego Simeone, Carlos Bianchi, 👌 Miguel Ángel Russo, and Sergio Batista.[255] On 29 October 2008, AFA chairman Julio Grondona confirmed that Maradona would be the 👌 head coach of the national team.[256] On 19 November, Maradona managed Argentina for the first time when they played against 👌 Scotland at Hampden Park in Glasgow, which Argentina won 1–0.[257]
Maradona as coach of Argentina in 2009. He left the position 👌 after the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa.
After winning his first three matches as the coach of the national 👌 team, he oversaw a 6–1 defeat to Bolivia, equalling the team's worst ever margin of defeat.[258][259] With two matches remaining 👌 in the qualification tournament for the 2010 World Cup, Argentina was in fifth place and faced the possibility of failing 👌 to qualify, but victory in the last two matches secured qualification for the finals.[260][261] After Argentina's qualification, Maradona used abusive 👌 language at the live post-game press conference, telling members of the media to "suck it and keep on sucking it".[262] 👌 FIFA responded with a two-month ban on all footballing activity, which expired on 15 January 2010, and a CHF 25,000 👌 fine, with a warning as to his future conduct.[263] The friendly match scheduled to take place at home to the 👌 Czech Republic on 15 December, during the period of the ban, was cancelled. The only match Argentina played during Maradona's 👌 ban was a friendly away to Catalonia, which they lost 4–2.[264]
At the World Cup finals in June 2010, Argentina started 👌 by winning 1–0 against Nigeria, followed by a 4–1 victory over South Korea on the strength of a Gonzalo Higuaín 👌 hat-trick.[265][266] In the final match of the group stage, Argentina won 2–0 against Greece to win the group and advance 👌 to a second round, meeting Mexico.[267] After defeating Mexico 3–1, however, Argentina was routed by Germany 4–0 in the quarter-finals 👌 to go out of the competition.[268] Argentina was ranked fifth in the tournament.[269] After the defeat to Germany, Maradona admitted 👌 that he was reconsidering his future as Argentina's coach, stating, "I may leave tomorrow."[270] On 15 July, the AFA said 👌 that he would be offered a new four-year deal that would keep him in charge through to the summer of 👌 2014 when Brazil staged the World Cup.[271] On 27 July, however, the AFA announced that its board had unanimously decided 👌 not to renew his contract.[272] Afterwards, on 29 July, Maradona claimed that AFA president Julio Grondona and director of national 👌 teams (as well as his former Argentine national team and Sevilla coach) Carlos Bilardo had "lied to", "betrayed", and effectively 👌 sacked him from the role. He said, "They wanted me to continue, but seven of my staff should not go 👌 on, if he told me that, it meant he did not want me to keep working."[273]
Personal life
Family
Having returned to his 👌 Catholic faith, Maradona donated a signed Argentina jersey to Pope Francis, and it is kept in one of the Vatican 👌 Museums.
Born to a Roman Catholic family, his parents were Diego Maradona Senior and Dalma Salvadora Franco. Maradona married long-time fiancée 👌 Claudia Villafañe on 7 November 1989 in Buenos Aires,[274] and they had two daughters, Dalma Nerea (born 2 April 1987) 👌 and Gianinna Dinorah (born 16 May 1989), by whom he became a grandfather in 2009 after she married Sergio Agüero 👌 (now divorced).[275]
Maradona and Villafañe divorced in 2004. Daughter Dalma has since asserted that the divorce was the best solution for 👌 all as her parents remained on friendly terms. They travelled together to Naples for a series of homages in June 👌 2005 and were seen together on other occasions, including the Argentina games during 2006 World Cup.[276] During the divorce proceedings, 👌 Maradona admitted that he was the father of Diego Sinagra (born in Naples on 20 September 1986). The Italian courts 👌 had already ruled so in 1993, after Maradona refused to undergo DNA tests to prove or disprove his paternity. Diego 👌 Junior met Maradona for the first time in May 2003 after tricking his way onto a golf course in Italy 👌 where Maradona was playing.[277] Sinagra is now a footballer playing in Italy.[278]
After the divorce, Claudia embarked on a career as 👌 a theatre producer, and Dalma sought an acting career; she previously had expressed her desire to attend the Actors Studio 👌 West in Los Angeles.[279][280]
Maradona's relationship with his immediate family was a close one. In a 1990 interview with Sports Illustrated 👌 he showed phone bills where he had spent a minimum ofR$15,000 US per month calling his parents and siblings.[281] Maradona's 👌 mother, Dalma, died on 19 November 2011. He was in Dubai at the time, and desperately tried to fly back 👌 in time to see her, but was too late. She was 81 years old. His father, "Don" Diego, died on 👌 25 June 2024 at age 87.[282]
In 2014, Maradona was accused of assaulting his girlfriend, Rocío Oliva, allegations which he denied.[283][284] 👌 In 2024, he gifted her a house in Bella Vista, but in December 2024 they split up. Maradona's great-nephew Hernán 👌 López is also a professional footballer.[286]
Drug abuse and health problems
Maradona at the 2024 FIFA World Cup in Russia, where he 👌 was treated by paramedics after collapsing following Argentina's victory over Nigeria[287]
From the mid-1980s until 2004, Maradona was addicted to cocaine. 👌 He allegedly began using the drug in Barcelona in 1983.[288] By the time he was playing for Napoli, he had 👌 a full-blown addiction, which interfered with his ability to play football.[289] In the midst of his drug crisis in 1991, 👌 Maradona was asked by journalists if the hit song "Mi enfermedad" (lit. "My Disease") was dedicated to him.[290] Maradona was 👌 banned from football in both 1991 and 1994 for abusing drugs.[291]
Maradona had a tendency to put on weight and suffered 👌 increasingly from obesity, at one point weighing 280 lb (130 kg). He was obese from the end of his playing 👌 career until undergoing gastric bypass surgery in a clinic in Cartagena de Indias, Colombia, on 6 March 2005. His surgeon 👌 said that Maradona would follow a liquid diet for three months in order to return to his normal weight.[292] When 👌 Maradona resumed public appearances shortly thereafter, he displayed a notably thinner figure.[293]
On 29 March 2007, Maradona was readmitted to a 👌 hospital in Buenos Aires. He was treated for hepatitis and effects of alcohol abuse and was released on 11 April, 👌 but readmitted two days later.[294] In the following days, there were constant rumours about his health, including three false claims 👌 of his death within a month.[295] After being transferred to a psychiatric clinic specializing in alcohol-related problems, Maradona was discharged 👌 on 7 May.[296] On 8 May, Maradona appeared on Argentine television and stated that he had quit drinking and had 👌 not used drugs in two and a half years.[297] During the 2024 World Cup match between Argentina and Nigeria, Maradona 👌 was shown on television cameras behaving extremely erratically, with an abundance of white residue visible on the glass in front 👌 of his seat in the stands. The smudges could have been fingerprints, and he later blamed his behaviour on consuming 👌 lots of wine.[298] In January 2024, Maradona underwent surgery after a hernia caused internal bleeding in his stomach.[299]
Political views
Maradona (right) 👌 presenting a signed jersey to the former President of Argentina Néstor Kirchner in December 2007
Maradona was idelogically left-wing.[300] He supported 👌 the establishment of an independent Palestinian state and condemned Israel's military strikes in the Gaza Strip during the 2014 Israel–Gaza 👌 conflict, saying: "What Israel is doing to the Palestinians is shameful."[301] He became friends with Cuban president Fidel Castro while 👌 receiving treatment on the island, with Castro stating, "Diego is a great friend and very noble, too. There's also no 👌 question he's a wonderful athlete and has maintained a friendship with Cuba to no material gain of his own."[75] Maradona 👌 had a portrait of Castro tattooed on his left leg and one of Fidel's second in command, fellow Argentine Che 👌 Guevara on his right arm.[302] In his autobiography, El Diego, he dedicated the book to various people, including Castro. He 👌 wrote, "To Fidel Castro and, through him, all the Cuban people."[303] In 1990 he visited Lenin's Mausoleum in the Red 👌 Square.[304]
Maradona voiced support for Bolivia's president Evo Morales[305] and was also a supporter of former Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez. In 👌 2005, he came to Venezuela to meet Chávez, who received him in the presidential Miraflores Palace. After the meeting, Maradona 👌 said that he had come to meet a "great man" (un grande, which can also mean "a big man", in 👌 Spanish), but had instead met a gigantic man (un gigante). He also stated, "I believe in Chávez, I am a 👌 Chavista. Everything Fidel does, everything Chávez does, for me is the best."[306] Maradona was Chávez's guest of honour at the 👌 opening game of the 2007 Copa América held in Venezuela.[307]
Many sportsmen claim to be champions of the people, but Maradona's 👌 populism is underwritten by his itinerary — the proletarian strongholds of Buenos Aires, Naples, and now Havana. Martin Amis writing 👌 for The Guardian, 2004.[308]
In 2004, Maradona participated in a protest against the U.S.-led war in Iraq.[300] Maradona declared his opposition 👌 to what he identified as imperialism, particularly during the 2005 Summit of the Americas in Mar del Plata, Argentina. There 👌 he protested George W. Bush's presence in Argentina, wearing a T-shirt labelled "STOP BUSH" (with the "s" in "Bush" being 👌 replaced with a swastika) and referring to Bush as "human garbage".[309][310] In August 2007, Maradona went further, making an appearance 👌 on Chávez's weekly television show Aló Presidente and saying, "I hate everything that comes from the United States. I hate 👌 it with all my strength."[311] By December 2008, however, Maradona had adopted a more pro-U.S. attitude and expressed admiration for 👌 Bush's successor, then-President-elect Barack Obama, for whom he had great expectations.[216]
"I asked myself, 'Who is this man? Who is this 👌 footballing magician, this Sex Pistol of international football, this cocaine victim who kicked the habit, looked like Falstaff and was 👌 as weak as spaghetti?' If Andy Warhol had still been alive, he would have definitely put Maradona alongside Marilyn Monroe 👌 and Mao Tse-tung. I'm convinced that if he hadn't been a footballer, he'd've become a revolutionary." —Emir Kusturica, film director[75]
With 👌 his poor shanty town (villa miseria) upbringing, Maradona cultivated a man-of-the-people persona.[312] During a meeting with Pope John Paul II 👌 at the Vatican in 1987, they clashed on the issue of wealth disparity, with Maradona stating, "I argued with him 👌 because I was in the Vatican and I saw all these golden ceilings and afterwards I heard the Pope say 👌 the Church was worried about the welfare of poor kids. Sell your ceiling then, amigo, do something!"[312] In September 2014, 👌 Maradona met with Pope Francis in Rome, crediting Francis for inspiring him to return to religion after many years away; 👌 he stated, "We should all imitate Pope Francis. If each one of us gives something to someone else, no one 👌 in the world would be starving."[313]
In December 2007, Maradona presented a signed shirt with a message of support to the 👌 people of Iran: it is displayed in the Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs' museum.[314] In April 2013, Maradona visited the 👌 tomb of Hugo Chávez and urged Venezuelans to elect the late leader's designated successor, Nicolás Maduro, to continue the socialist 👌 leader's legacy; "Continue the struggle," Maradona said on television.[315] Maradona attended Maduro's final campaign rally in Caracas, signing footballs and 👌 kicking them to the crowd, and presented Maduro with an Argentina jersey.[315] Having visited Chávez's tomb with Maradona, Maduro said, 👌 "Speaking with Diego was very emotional because comandante Chávez also loved him very much."[315] Maradona participated and danced at the 👌 electoral campaign rally during the 2024 presidential elections in Venezuela.[316][317] During the 2024 Venezuelan presidential crisis, the Mexican Football Federation 👌 fined him for violating their code of ethics and dedicating a team victory to Nicolás Maduro.[318]
Maradona (center) visiting Argentina's new 👌 president Alberto Fernández (right) in December 2024
Maradona in his 2000 autobiography Yo Soy El Diego, linked the "Hand of God" 👌 goal against England at the 1986 World Cup to the Falklands War: "Although we had said before the game that 👌 football had nothing to do with the Malvinas [Falklands] War, we knew they had killed a lot of Argentine boys 👌 there, killed them like little birds. And this was revenge."[319] In October 2024, Maradona thanked Queen Elizabeth II and the 👌 Houses of Parliament in London for giving him the chance to provide "true justice" as head of an organization designed 👌 to help young children.[320] In a video released on his official Facebook page, Maradona confirmed he would accept their nomination 👌 for him to become Latin American director for the non-governmental organization Football for Unity.[320]
Failure to pay tax
In March 2009, Italian 👌 officials announced that Maradona still owed the Italian government €37 million in local taxes, €23.5 million of which was accrued 👌 interest on his original debt. They reported that at that point, Maradona had paid only €42,000, two luxury watches and 👌 a set of earrings.[321][322]
Death
On 2 November 2024, Maradona was admitted to a hospital in La Plata, supposedly for psychological reasons. 👌 A representative of the ex-footballer said his condition was not serious.[323] A day later, he underwent emergency brain surgery to 👌 treat a subdural hematoma.[324] He was released on 12 November after successful surgery and was supervised by doctors as an 👌 outpatient.[325] On 25 November, at the age of 60, Maradona suffered cardiac arrest and died in his sleep at his 👌 home in Dique Luján, Buenos Aires Province, Argentina.[326][327] Maradona's coffin – draped in Argentina's national flag and three Maradona number 👌 10 shirts (Argentinos Juniors, Boca Juniors and Argentina) – lay in state at the Presidential Palace, the Casa Rosada, with 👌 mourners filing past his coffin.[328] On 26 November, Maradona's wake, which was attended by tens of thousands of people, was 👌 cut short by his family as his coffin was relocated from the rotunda of the Presidential Palace after fans took 👌 over an inner courtyard and also clashed with police.[329][330] The same day, a private funeral service was held and Maradona 👌 was buried next to his parents at the Jardín de Bella Vista cemetery in Bella Vista, Buenos Aires.[331]
Tributes
"I have lost 👌 a great friend and the world has lost a legend. There's still so much to be said, but for now, 👌 may God give strength to his relatives. One day I hope we can play football together in heaven." — Pelé 👌 paying tribute following Maradona's death[332]
In a statement on social media, the Argentine Football Association expressed "its deepest sorrow for the 👌 death of our legend", adding: "You will always be in our hearts."[333] President Alberto Fernández announced three days of national 👌 mourning.[334] UEFA and CONMEBOL announced that every match in the Champions League, Europa League, Copa Libertadores, and Copa Sudamericana would 👌 hold a moment of silence prior to kickoff.[335][336] Boca Juniors' game was postponed in respect to Maradona.[337] Subsequently, other confederations 👌 around the world followed suit, with every fixture observing a minute of silence, starting with the 2024 AFC Champions League's 👌 fixtures.[338] In addition to the minute of silence in Serie A, an image of Maradona was projected on stadium screens 👌 in the 10th minute of play.[339]
In Naples, the Stadio San Paolo—officially renamed Stadio Diego Armando Maradona on 4 December 2024—was 👌 illuminated at night in honour of Maradona, with numerous fans gathering outside the stadium placing murals and paintings as a 👌 tribute. Both Napoli owner Aurelio De Laurentiis and the mayor of Naples Luigi de Magistris expressed their desire to rename 👌 their stadium after Maradona, which was unanimously approved by Naples City Council.[65] Prior to Napoli's Europa League match against Rijeka 👌 the day after Maradona's death, all of the Napoli players wore shirts with "Maradona 10" on the back of them, 👌 before observing a minute of silence.[340] Figures in the sport from every continent around the world also paid tribute to 👌 him.[332][341][342] Celebrities and other sports people outside football also paid tribute to Maradona.[343][344][345][346][347]
On 27 November 2024, the Aditya School of 👌 Sports in Barasat, Kolkata, India named their cricket stadium after Maradona.[348] Three years earlier Maradona had conducted a workshop with 👌 100 kids in the stadium and played a charity match at the same venue with former Indian cricket captain, Sourav 👌 Ganguly.[348] The AFA announced that the 2024 Copa de la Liga Profesional, which is the debut season of Copa de 👌 la Liga Profesional, would be renamed Copa Diego Armando Maradona.[349] On 28 November, Pakistan Football Federation's main cup PFF National 👌 Challenge Cup honoured Maradona along with Wali Mohammad.[350][351] In a rugby union test match between Argentina and New Zealand on 👌 28 November, as the New Zealand team lined up to perform the haka their captain Sam Cane presented a black 👌 jersey with Maradona's name and his number 10.[352][353] On 29 November, compatriot Lionel Messi scored in Barcelona's 4–0 home win 👌 over Osasuna in La Liga, dedicating his goal to Maradona by revealing a Newell's Old Boys shirt worn by the 👌 latter under his own, and subsequently pointing to the sky.[354]
On 30 November, after Boca Juniors opened the scoring against Newell's 👌 Old Boys at La Bombonera, the club's players paid an emotional tribute by laying a Maradona jersey in front of 👌 his private suite where his daughter Dalma was present.[355]
Aftermath
In May 2024, seven medical professionals were charged with homicide over Maradona's 👌 death, in violation of their duties, and could face between 8 and 25 years in prison if convicted.[356] On 25 👌 June, psychiatrist Agustina Cosachov was summoned by the Prosecution Office of San Isidro and faced a formal questioning, where she 👌 agreed to answer more than 100 queries regarding the medical treatment given to Maradona in that medical field.[357][358] After seven 👌 hours of questioning, Cosachov's lawyer Vadim Mischanchuk addressed the press and denied that Cosachov's prescription medication could have worsened Maradona's 👌 heart condition, and Cosachov further denied any responsibility in the death.[359] On 28 June, multiple arrest warrants were requested by 👌 a plaintiff lawyer against Cosachov, personal doctor Leopoldo Luque, psychologist Carlos Díaz, and doctor Nancy Forlini in direct connection with 👌 Maradona's alleged negligent death.[360] On 1 July, the prosecutors in the case refused to ask a judge to issue arrest 👌 warrants against all the aforementioned professionals, on the basis that they considered the request had been a media stunt ("incursión 👌 mediática") for the case, coinciding with personal doctor Luque's interrogation.[361][362]
In June 2024, a judge ruled that eight medical personnel should 👌 face trial for criminal negligence and homicide in regards to Maradona's death.[363][364][365]
On 18 April 2024, the Court of Appeals and 👌 Guarantees of San Isidro upheld the June 2024 ruling where eight medical personnel, including physician Luque and psychiatrist Cosachov, should 👌 face trial on the charge of "simple homicide with malice aforethought". The accused face between eight and 25 years in 👌 prison if found guilty.[366]
In popular culture
Graffiti of Maradona. His nickname D10S alludes to his playing number and the Spanish word 👌 for God.[367]
In Argentina, Maradona is considered an icon. Concerning the idolatry that exists in his country, former teammate Jorge Valdano 👌 said:
"At the time that Maradona retired from active football, he left Argentina traumatized. Maradona was more than just a great 👌 footballer. He was a special compensation factor for a country that in a few years lived through several military dictatorships 👌 and social frustrations of all kinds. Maradona offered to Argentines a way out of their collective frustration, and that's why 👌 people there love him as a divine figure."[368]
In leading his nation to the 1986 World Cup, and in particular his 👌 performance and two goals in the quarter-final against England, Guillem Balagué writes: "That Sunday in Mexico City, the world saw 👌 one man single-handedly – in more than one sense of the phrase – lift the mood of a depressed and 👌 downtrodden nation into the stratosphere. With two goals in the space of four minutes, he allowed them to dare to 👌 dream that they, like him, could be the best in the world. He did it first by nefarious and then 👌 spellbindingly brilliant means. In those moments, he went from star player to legend."[39]
Since 1986, it has been common for Argentines 👌 abroad to hear Maradona's name as a token of recognition, even in remote places.[38] The Tartan Army sing a version 👌 of the Hokey Cokey in honour of the Hand of God goal against England.[369] In Argentina, Maradona is often talked 👌 about in terms reserved for legends. In the Argentine film El hijo de la novia ("Son of the Bride"), somebody 👌 who impersonates a Catholic priest says to a bar patron, "They idolized him and then crucified him." When a friend 👌 scolds him for taking the prank too far, the fake priest retorts, "But I was talking about Maradona." He is 👌 the subject of the film El camino de San Diego, though he himself only appears in archive footage.[370]
Maradona was included 👌 in many cameos in the Argentine comic book El Cazador de Aventuras. After the closing of it, the authors started 👌 a new short-lived comic book titled El Die, using Maradona as the main character. Maradona has had several online Flash 👌 games that are entirely dedicated to his legacy.[371] In Rosario, Argentina, locals organised the parody religion of the "Church of 👌 Maradona". The organization reformulates many elements from Christian tradition, such as Christmas or prayers, reflecting instead details from Maradona. It 👌 had 200 founding members, and tens of thousands more have become members via the church's official web site.[372]
Many Argentine artists 👌 performed songs in tribute to Diego, such as "La Mano de Dios" by El Potro Rodrigo, "Maradona" by Andrés Calamaro, 👌 "Para siempre Diego" (Diego Forever) by Los Ratones Paranoicos, "Francotirador" (Sniper) by Attaque 77, "Maradona Blues" by Charly García, "Santa 👌 Maradona" (Saint Maradona) by Mano Negra, and "La Vida Tómbola" by Manu Chao, among others. There are also other films, 👌 such as: Maradona, La Mano de Dios (Maradona, the Hand of God), Amando a Maradona (Loving Maradona), and Maradona by 👌 Kusturica.[227] In March 1981, Queen were introduced to Maradona backstage during their concert at the Vélez Sarsfield Stadium.[373]
By 1982, Maradona 👌 had become one of the biggest sports stars in the world and had endorsements with many companies, including Puma and 👌 Coca-Cola, earning him an additionalR$1.5 million per year on top of his club salary.[374] In 1982, he featured in a 👌 World Cup commercial for Coca-Cola, and a Japanese commercial for Puma.[374] In 1984 he earnedR$7m a year at Napoli, and 👌 sponsorships includedR$5m from Hitachi.[308] In 1984, a poll from IMG named Maradona the best known person in the world.[308] In 👌 2010 he appeared in a commercial for French fashion house Louis Vuitton, indulging in a game of table football with 👌 fellow World Cup winners Pelé and Zinedine Zidane.[375] Maradona featured in the music video to the 2010 World Cup song 👌 "Waka Waka" by Shakira, with footage shown of him celebrating Argentina winning the 1986 World Cup.[376]
Banners depicting Maradona – such 👌 as this where he features alongside Lionel Messi at the 2024 World Cup in Russia – often appear at Argentina 👌 games.
A 2006 television commercial for Brazilian soft drink Guaraná Antarctica portrayed Maradona as a member of the Brazil national team, 👌 including wearing the yellow jersey and singing the Brazilian national anthem with Brazilian players Ronaldo and Kaká.[377] Later on in 👌 the commercial he wakes up realising it was a nightmare after having too much of the drink. This generated some 👌 controversy in the Argentine media after its release (although the commercial was not supposed to air for the Argentine market, 👌 fans could see it online). Maradona replied that he had no problem wearing the Brazilian national squad jersey despite Argentina 👌 and Brazil's tense football rivalry, but that he would refuse to wear the shirt of River Plate, Boca Juniors' traditional 👌 rival.[378] There is a documented phenomenon of Brazilians being named in honour of Maradona,[379] an example being footballer Diego Costa.[380]
In 👌 2024, Maradona featured as a legendary player in the football video games FIFA 18 and Pro Evolution Soccer 2024.[381] In 👌 2024, a documentary film titled Diego Maradona was released by Academy Award and BAFTA Award winning filmmaker Asif Kapadia, director 👌 of Amy (on singer Amy Winehouse) and Senna (on motor racing driver Ayrton Senna). Kapadia stated that " ...Maradona is 👌 the third part of a trilogy about child geniuses and fame."[382] He added, "...I was fascinated by his journey, wherever 👌 he went there were moments of incredible brilliance and drama. He was a leader, taking his teams to the very 👌 top, but also many lows in his career. He was always the little guy fighting against the system... and he 👌 was willing to do anything, to use all of his cunning and intelligence to win."[383]
Career statistics
Maradona made 680 appearances and 👌 scored 345 goals for club and country combined, with a goalscoring average of 0.51.
Club
Notes
International
Appearances and goals by national team, year 👌 and competition Team Year Competitive Friendly Total Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Argentina U20[385] 1977 3[a] 0 – 3 👌 0 1978 – – – 1979 11[b] 7 1 1 12 8 Total 14 7 1 1 15 8 Argentina[54][74] 👌 1977 – 3 0 3 0 1978 – 1 0 1 0 1979 2[c] 1 6 2 8 3 1980 👌 – 10 7 10 7 1981 2[d] 1 – 2 1 1982 5[e] 2 5 0 10 2 1983 – 👌 – – 1984 – – – 1985 6[f] 3 4 3 10 6 1986 7[g] 5 3 2 10 7 👌 1987 4[h] 3 2 1 6 4 1988 2[i] 1 1 0 3 1 1989 6[j] 0 1 0 7 👌 0 1990 7[k] 0 3 1 10 1 1991 – – – 1992 – – – 1993 3[l] 0 1 👌 0 4 0 1994 2[m] 1 5 1 7 2 Total 46 17 45 17 91 34 Career total 60 👌 24 46 18 106 42
Notes
Managerial statistics
Honours
Boca Juniors[387]
Barcelona[387]
Napoli[387]
Argentina U20
Argentina
Individual
Maradona's Golden Foot award in "The Champions Promenade" on the seafront of the 👌 Principality of Monaco
Works
See also
References
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