Maradona, who was recovering from emergency brain surgery, passed away in his Argentinian home from a heart attack on November 25, 2020. He was 60.
Born in Lanus, Argentina on October 30 1960, Maradona’s footballing career began in earnest in the mid-1970s with first divison outfit Argetinos Juniors. He progressed from there to one of his nation’s best-known sides, Boca Juniors. And it was there he caught the eye of Spanish giants, Barcelona, who snapped him up in 1982 for what was then a world-record fee of £5m.
Soccer great Diego Maradona led Argentina to victory in the 1986 World Cup, though his accomplishments were later overshadowed by his battles with drug abuse.
Diego Maradona was an Argentinean soccer legend who was widely regarded as one of the best players of all time. Maradona led club teams to championships in Argentina, Italy and Spain, and famously starred for the Argentinean team that won the 1986 World Cup. However, the soccer legend’s career was marred by a pair of high-profile suspensions for drug use, and he has often battled health problems in retirement.
The problems that plagued Maradona later in his playing career continued after his retirement. He was hospitalized for heart problems in 2000 and 2004, the second time requiring the use of a respirator to breathe properly, and the following year he underwent gastric-bypass surgery.
Watch Diego Maradona’s Top 5 Goals- FIFA World Cup
An internet poll conducted by the Fédération Internationale de Football Association named Maradona the top player of the 20th century, but even that event was marked by controversy. Maradona chafed when a special panel was created to ensure that Pelé would be jointly honored, and then refused to share the stage with the Brazilian legend.
In 2008, Maradona was hired to coach the Argentinean national team. Although the Argentines boasted a talented squad headlined by Lionel Messi, perhaps the best player in the world, they were bounced from the 2010 World Cup with a 4-0 thrashing by Germany in the quarter-finals, and Maradona’s contract was not renewed.
Despite the public disappointments, Maradona remained beloved in Argentina as a native son who rose from humble beginnings to reach the apex of stardom on an international stage.
A global media for the latest news, entertainment, music fashion, and more.
