Diego Maradona
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"Maradona" redirects here. For other uses, see Maradona (disambiguation).
This name uses Spanish naming customs: the first or paternal family name is Maradona and the second or maternal family name is Franco.
 Maradona with Al Wasl in 2012 |
|||
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Diego Armando Maradona Franco | ||
| Date of birth | 30 October 1960 | ||
| Place of birth | Lanús, Buenos Aires, Argentina | ||
| Height | 1.65 m (5 ft 5 in) | ||
| Playing position | Attacking midfielder Second striker[1][2][3][4] |
||
| Youth career | |||
| 1968–1969 | Estrella Roja | ||
| 1970–1974 | Los Cebollitas | ||
| 1975–1976 | Argentinos Juniors | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps† | (Gls)† |
| 1976–1981 | Argentinos Juniors | 166 | (116) |
| 1981–1982 | Boca Juniors | 40 | (28) |
| 1982–1984 | Barcelona | 36 | (22) |
| 1984–1991 | Napoli | 188 | (81) |
| 1992–1993 | Sevilla | 26 | (5) |
| 1993–1994 | Newell's Old Boys | 5 | (0) |
| 1995–1997 | Boca Juniors | 30 | (7) |
| Total | 491 | (259) | |
| National team | |||
| 1977–1979 | Argentina U20 | 24 | (13) |
| 1977–1994 | Argentina | 91 | (34) |
| Teams managed | |||
| 1994 | Mandiyú de Corrientes | ||
| 1995 | Racing Club | ||
| 2008–2010 | Argentina | ||
| 2011–2012 | Al Wasl | ||
| * Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only. † Appearances (Goals). |
|||
A playmaker who operated in the classic number 10 position, Maradona is the only player in football history to set the world record transfer fee twice, first when he transferred to Barcelona for a then world record £5m, and second, when he transferred to Napoli for another record fee £6.9m.[11] 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. In his international career, playing for Argentina, he earned 91 caps and scored 34 goals.
Maradona played in four FIFA World Cups, including the 1986 World Cup where he captained Argentina and led them to victory over West Germany in the final, and won the Golden Ball award 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, though 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 "The Goal of the Century" by FIFA.com voters in 2002.[12]
Maradona is considered one of the sport's most controversial and newsworthy figures. He was suspended from football for 15 months in 1991 after failing a drug test, for cocaine, in Italy, and he was sent home from the 1994 World Cup in the U.S. after testing positive for ephedrine. In 2005, he lost a considerable amount of extra weight and overcame his cocaine addiction. His outspoken views have sometimes put him in conflict with journalists and sport executives. Although he had little managerial experience, he became head coach of the Argentina national team in November 2008, and held the job for eighteen months, until his contract expired after the 2010 World Cup.
He coached Dubai based club Al Wasl in the UAE Pro-League for the 2011–12 season. In August 2013, Maradona joined Argentine Primera D club Deportivo Riestra's staff as "spiritual coach".[13][14][15]
Contents
Early years
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.[16]
He was the fifth child and first son of Diego Maradona 'Chitoro' and Dalma Salvadora Franco 'Doña Tota' (1930–2011). Both his parents were illegitimate children. His father took the family name of his mother because his father did not recognise him as his own. Maradona's mother was not recognised by her father, Atanancio Ramón Edisto Franco, until she was eighteen years old. Maradona's parents were both born and brought up in the town of Esquina in the north-east province of Corrientes Province, living only two hundred yards from each other on the banks of the Corriente River. In 1950, they left Esquina and settled in Buenos Aires.
At age eight, Maradona was spotted by a talent scout while he was playing in his neighborhood club Estrella Roja. He became a staple of Los Cebollitas (The Little Onions), the junior team of Buenos Aires's Argentinos Juniors. As a 12-year-old ball boy, he amused spectators by showing his wizardry with the ball during the halftime intermissions of first division games.[22] He named Manchester United winger George Best as one of the players who inspired him when he was growing up.[23]
Club career
Argentinos Juniors and Boca Juniors
On 20 October 1976, Maradona made his professional debut with Argentinos Juniors, ten days before his sixteenth birthday.[24] He played there between 1976 and 1981, scoring 115 goals in 167 appearances before his £1m transfer to Boca Juniors. Boca was the team Maradona always wanted to play for.[25] Having joined the Boca squad midway through the 1981 season, Maradona played through 1982 earning his first league championship medal.[26]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.[27]
On June 26, 1983, Barcelona defeated Real Madrid on the road in the world's biggest club game, El Clásico, a match where Maradona scored and became the first Barcelona player to be applauded by arch rival Real Madrid fans.[28] Maradona dribbled past Madrid goalkeeper Agustín, and as he approached the empty goal he stopped just as Madrid defender Juan José came sliding in a desperate attempt to block the shot and ended up crashing into the post, before Maradona slotted the ball into the net.[29] Many inside the stadium were stunned at the manner of the goal and started applauding: only Ronaldinho, in November 2005, has since been granted such an ovation as a Barcelona player from Madrid fans at the Santiago Bernabéu.[28]
Due to illness and injury, Maradona had a difficult tenure in Barcelona.[30] First a bout of hepatitis, then a broken ankle caused by an ill-timed tackle by Athletic's Andoni Goikoetxea threatened to jeopardize Maradona's career, but after treatment and therapy it was possible for him to soon be back on the pitch.[24]
During his two injury-hit seasons at Barcelona, Maradona scored 38 goals in 58 games.[31] Maradona got into frequent disputes with the Barcelona directors, especially club president Josep Lluís Núñez, culminating with a demand to be transferred out of Camp Nou in 1984. He was transferred to Napoli in Italy's Serie A for another world record fee, £6.9m ($10.48m).[32]
Napoli
Diego Maradona with Napoli in 1985. Throughout his career he would wear number 10 for both club and country.
At Napoli, Maradona reached the peak of his professional career. He quickly became an adored star among the club's fans, and in his time there he elevated the team to the most successful era in its history.[34] 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.[34] Led by Maradona, Napoli won their first ever Serie A Italian Championship in 1986/87.[34] 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.'[34] Murals of Maradona were painted on the cities ancient buildings, and new born children were named in his honor.[34]
Napoli would win their second league title in 1989/1990, and finish runners up in the league twice, in 1987/88 and 1988/89.[34] Other honors during the Maradona era at Napoli included the Coppa Italia in 1987, (second place in the Coppa Italia in 1989), the UEFA Cup in 1989 and the Italian Supercup in 1990.[34] Maradona was the top scorer in Serie A in 1987/88, and is the all time leading goalscorer for Napoli with 115 goals.[26][36]
While he was successful on the field, during his time in Italy Maradona's 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'.[37] 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.[38][39][40][41][42] Later on, in honor of Maradona and his achievements during his career at Napoli, the No. 10 jersey of Napoli was officially retired.[43]
Sevilla, Newell's Old Boys and Boca Juniors
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 of Spain and Olympique Marseille of France, he signed for Sevilla of Spain, where he stayed for one year.[44] In 1993 he played for Newell's Old Boys and in 1995 he returned to Boca Juniors for two years.[24] Maradona also appeared for Tottenham Hotspur in a friendly match against Internazionale, shortly before the 1986 World Cup. The match was a testimonial for Osvaldo Ardiles, who insisted that his friend Maradona play.[45]International career
During his time with the Argentine national team, Maradona scored 34 goals in 91 appearances. He made his full international debut at age 16, against Hungary on 27 February 1977. At age 18, he played the World Youth Championship for Argentina, and was the star of the tournament, shining in their 3–1 final win over the Soviet Union. On 2 June 1979, Maradona scored his first senior international goal in a 3–1 win against Scotland at Hampden Park.[46] He and his compatriot and heir apparent, 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, while Messi managed in 2005 and 2014.1982 World Cup
Maradona played his first World Cup tournament in 1982. Argentina played Belgium in the opening game of the 1982 Cup in Barcelona. The Catalan crowd was eager to see their new world-record signing Diego Maradona in action, but he did not perform to expectations.[47] Argentina, the defending champions, lost to Belgium 1–0. Although the team convincingly beat Hungary and El Salvador to progress to the second round, they were 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 in Maradona's new home city of Barcelona.[48] Maradona played in all five matches without being substituted, scoring twice against Hungary. After being fouled repeatedly in all games and particularly in the last one against Brazil, Maradona's temper eventually got the better of him and he was sent off with 5 minutes remaining for a serious retaliatory foul against Joao Batista da Silva.[49]1986 World Cup
Maradona captained the Argentine national team to victory in the 1986 FIFA World Cup, winning the final in Mexico against West Germany.[50] Throughout the 1986 World Cup Maradona asserted his dominance and was the most dynamic player of the tournament. He played every minute of every Argentina game, scored 5 goals and made 5 assists, three of those in the opening match against South Korea. His first goal of the tournament came against Italy in the second group game.[51] After scoring two contrasting goals in the 2–1 quarter-final win against England his legend was cemented. The majesty of his second goal and the notoriety of his first led to the French newspaper L'Equipe describing Maradona as "half-angel, half-devil".[52]This match was played with the background of the Falklands War between Argentina and the United Kingdom. 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."[50] 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.[53]
Maradona, turns like a little eel, he 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.
“
”
Maradona followed this with two more goals in the semi-final against Belgium, including another virtuoso dribbling display for the second goal. In the final, the opposing West German side attempted to contain him by double-marking, but he nevertheless found the space to give the final pass to Jorge Burruchaga for the winning goal. Argentina beat West Germany 3–2 in front of 115,000 spectators at the Azteca Stadium in Mexico City.[52][56]
During the course of the tournament, Maradona attempted or created more than half of Argentina's shots, embarked on 90 dribbles some three times more than any other player and was fouled 53 times winning his team twice as many free kicks as any player.[57][58] Maradona scored or assisted 10 of Argentina's 14 goals 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.[58]
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.[58][59][60][61] 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.[62]
1990 World Cup
Maradona captained Argentina again in the 1990 FIFA World Cup to yet another World Cup Final. An ankle injury affected his overall performance, and he was much less dominant than four years earlier. Argentina were almost eliminated in the first round, only qualifying in third position from their group. In the round of 16 match against Brazil, Claudio Caniggia scored the only goal after being set up by Maradona.[63]In the quarter final, Argentina faced Yugoslavia, the match ending 0–0 after 120 minutes, and Argentina advancing on penalty kicks, despite Maradona missing one of the penalties in the shootout with a weak shot to the goalkeeper's right. The semifinal against the host nation Italy was also resolved on penalties after a 1–1 draw; this time, Maradona was successful with his effort, daringly rolling the ball into the net with an almost exact replica of his missed shot in the previous round. In the final, Argentina lost 1–0 to West Germany, the only goal being a penalty by Andreas Brehme in the 85th minute after a controversial foul on Rudi Völler.[63]
1994 World Cup
At the 1994 FIFA World Cup Maradona played in only two games, scoring one goal against Greece, before being sent home after failing a drug test for ephedrine doping. In his autobiography, Maradona argued that the test result was due to his personal trainer giving him the power drink Rip Fuel. 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. FIFA expelled him from USA '94 and Argentina were subsequently eliminated in the second round. Maradona has 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.[64] His failed drugs test at the 1994 World Cup signaled the end of his international career, which had lasted 17 years and yielded 34 goals from 91 games.[65]Playing style
See also: Creole football
Diego was capable of things no one else could match. The things I could do with a football, he could do with an orange.
“
”
— Michel Platini, former French midfielder and current UEFA President.[66]
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, current Argentina captain.[67]
When Diego scored that second goal against us, I felt like
applauding. I'd never felt like that before, but it's true... and not
just because it was such an important game. It was impossible to score
such a beautiful goal. He's the greatest player of all time, by a long
way. A genuine phenomenon.
“
”
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. This maneuver led to several assists, such as the powerful cross for Ramón Díaz's header in the 1980 friendly against Switzerland. He was also a dangerous free kick taker.[76]
Maradona was famous for his cunning and clever personality.[77] Some critics view his controversial "Hand of God" goal as a very clever move, with one of the opposition players, Glenn Hoddle, admitting that Maradona had disguised it cunningly in flicking his head at the same time as palming the ball.[78] The goal itself has been viewed as being an embodiment of the Buenos Aires shantytown Maradona was brought up in and its concept of viveza criolla — native cunning.[79]
Maradona was dominantly left-footed, often using his left foot even when the ball was positioned more suitably for a right-footed connection. 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 did use his right foot to set up the winning goal for Caniggia due to two Brazilian markers forcing him into a position that made use of his left foot less practical.[80]
Retirement and honours
Diego Maradona's blaugrana shirt at display in FC Barcelona Museum.
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.[81]In 1999 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.
In 2000, Maradona published his autobiography Yo Soy El Diego ("I am The Diego"), which became an instant bestseller[82] in his home country. Two years later, Maradona donated the Cuban royalties of his book to "the Cuban people and Fidel."[83]
Maradona at the Soccer Aid charity game at Old Trafford in May 2006, after losing weight
In 2001, the Argentine Football Association (AFA) asked FIFA for authorization 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.[86]
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.[87] 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 Calcio, which was in Serie A at the time.[88]
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.[89]
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. 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.[91] Maradona gave each of his guests a signed Argentina jersey, which Tyson wore when he arrived in Brazil, Argentina's deadliest rivals.[92]
In May 2006, Maradona agreed to take part in UK's Soccer Aid (a program to raise money for Unicef).[93] 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 Basile to be the new coach of the Argentina national football team.[94] In 2008, award-winning Serbian filmmaker Emir Kusturica made a documentary about Maradona's life, entitled Maradona.[95]
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.[96] 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.[97] Unusually, both Baggio and Maradona wore the number 10 shirt, despite playing on the same team.[97]
Managerial career
Club management
He attempted to work as a coach alongside former Argentinos Juniors midfield team mate Carlos Fren. The pair led Mandiyú of Corrientes (1994) and Racing Club (1995), but with little success. In May 2011 he became manager of Dubai club Al Wasl FC in the United Arab Emirates. Maradona was sacked in 10 July 2012.[98][99]International management
Maradona as coach of Argentina in 2009
On 29 October 2008, AFA chairman Julio Grondona confirmed that Maradona would be the head coach of the national side from December 2008. On 19 November 2008, Diego Maradona managed Argentina for the first time when Argentina played against Scotland at Hampden Park in Glasgow which Argentina won 1–0.[100]
After winning his first three matches in charge of the national team, he oversaw a 6–1 defeat to Bolivia, equalling the team's worst ever margin of defeat. 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.[101][102]
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".[103] 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.[104] 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 Argentina lost 4–2.
At the World Cup finals in June 2010, Argentina started by winning 1–0 against Nigeria, and then defeated South Korea by 4–1, with a hat-trick from Gonzalo Higuain.[105][106] In the final match of the group stage Argentina won 2–0 against Greece to win their the group and advance to a second round meeting with Mexico.[107] After defeating Mexico 3–1, Argentina was in turn routed by Germany, 4–0 in the quarter finals to go out of the competition.[108] Argentina was ranked 5th in the tournament. After the defeat to Germany Maradona admitted that he was considering his future as Argentina coach, "I may leave tomorrow," he said.[109] On 15 July 2010, the Argentine Football Association said that he would be offered a new 4-year deal that would keep him in charge through to the summer of 2014 when Brazil stages the World Cup,[110] however on 27 July the AFA announced that its board had unanimously decided not to renew his contract.[111] Afterwards on 29 July 2010, Maradona claimed that AFA president Julio Grondona and director of national teams Carlos Bilardo had "lied to" and "betrayed" and effectively sacked him from the role. Saying "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".[112]
Personal life
Family
His parents are Diego Maradona Senior and Dalma Salvadora Franco. His father is of Italian and Native Amerindian origin[18][20][113] and his mother is of Croatian origin.[19] Maradona married long-time fiancée Claudia Villafañe on 7 November 1984 in Buenos Aires, and they had two daughters, Dalma Nerea (born 2 April 1987) and Giannina Dinorah (born 16 May 1989), by whom he became a grandfather in 2009.[114] In his autobiography, Maradona admits he was not always faithful to Claudia, even though he refers to her as the love of his life.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 Napoli for a series of homages in June 2005[115] and were seen together on many other occasions, including the Argentina matches during 2006 FIFA World Cup.
During the divorce proceedings, Maradona admitted 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 for proving or disproving 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.[116] Diego Sinagra is now a footballer playing in Italy.[117] After the divorce, Claudia embarked on a career as a theatre producer, and Dalma was seeking an acting career; she had expressed her desire to attend the Actor's Studio in Los Angeles.[118][119]
His younger daughter, Giannina, married Manchester City striker Sergio Agüero, with whom she has a son, Benjamin, born in Madrid on 19 February 2009. In January 2013, Agüero and Giannina separated.[120]
His mother, Dalma, died on 19 November 2011. Diego 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 son Diego Fernando, whom he had with his ex long term partner Veronica Ojeda, was born 13 February 2013.[121]
Drug abuse and health issues
Maradona after gaining weight, March 2005
Over the years following his retirement his health seriously deteriorated. On 4 January 2000, while vacationing in Punta del Este, Uruguay, Maradona had to be rushed to the emergency room of a local clinic. In a press conference, doctors stated that it was detected heart muscle damage due to "an underlying health issue". It was later known that traces of cocaine were found in his blood and Maradona had to explain the circumstances to the police. After this he left Argentina and went to Cuba in order to follow a drug rehab plan.
On 18 April 2004, doctors reported that Maradona had suffered a major myocardial infarction following a cocaine overdose; he was admitted to intensive care in a Buenos Aires hospital. Scores of fans gathered around the clinic. He was taken off the respirator on 23 April and remained in intensive care for several days before being discharged on 29 April. He tried to return to Cuba, where he had spent most of his time in the years leading up to the heart attack, but his family opposed, having filed a judicial petition to exercise his legal guardianship.
Maradona had a tendency to put on weight, and suffered increasingly from obesity 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 his normal weight.[124] When Maradona resumed public appearances shortly thereafter, he displayed a notably thinner figure.[125]
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 re-admitted two days later.[126] In the following days there were constant rumors about his health, including three false claims of his death within a month.[127] After transfer to a psychiatric clinic specialising in alcohol-related problems, he was discharged on 7 May.[128] On 8 May 2007, Maradona appeared on Argentine television and stated that he had quit drinking and had not used drugs in two and a half years.[129]
Political views
Maradona presents a signed shirt to the former President of Argentina Néstor Kirchner in December 2007
Maradona and President of Bolivia, Evo Morales, at the funeral of former President of Argentina Néstor Kirchner, husband of current President Cristina Kirchner, 28 October 2010
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.[67]
With his poor shantytown upbringing, Maradona has cultivated a man of the people persona.[137] 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!”.[137] In September 2014 Maradona met with Pope Francis in Rome, crediting Francis for inspiring him to return to religion after many years, and 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".[138]
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.[139] 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.[140] Maradona attended Maduro's final campaign rally in Caracas, signing footballs and kicking them to the crowd, and presented Maduro with an Argentina jersey.[140] Having visited Chávez's tomb with Maradona, Maduro said; "Speaking with Diego was very emotional because comandante Chávez also loved him very much".[140]
Financial problems
In March 2009 Italian officials announced that Maradona still owed the Italian government €37 million in taxes; €23.5 million of which was accrued interest on his original debt. They reported that thus far, Maradona has paid only €42,000, two luxury watches and a set of earrings.[141][142]In popular culture
Religious display of Maradona in Naples, Italy
To understand the gargantuan shadow Maradona casts over his football-mad homeland, one has to conjure up the athleticism of Michael Jordan, the power of Babe Ruth – and the human fallibility of Mike Tyson. Lump them together in a single barrel-chested man with shaggy black hair and you have El Diego, idol to the millions who call him D10S, a mashup of his playing number and the Spanish word for God.[143]In Argentina, Maradona is considered a sports hero to many. He is idolized, receiving the name of "God". On the idolatry that exists in Argentina, former teammate Jorge Valdano said: "At the time that Maradona retired from active football, left traumatized Argentina. Maradona was more than just a great footballer. It was a special compensation factor for a country that in a few years lived several military dictatorships and social frustrations of all kinds".[144] Valdano added that "Maradona offered to the Argentines a way out of their collective frustration, and that's why people love him. There is a divine figure."[144]
Three icons of Argentina statues; tango pioneer Carlos Gardel, political leader Eva Perón, and Maradona.
Renaissance interpretation of Maradona's "Hand of God" goal in graffiti, Helsinki, Finland
Everyone has an opinion on Diego Armando Maradona, and that’s been
the case since his playing days. His magnificent performances and
extraordinary goals at Mexico 86 will live forever in the memories of
all football lovers, myself included. 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. And
at the age of 50 he still has many years in which to keep showing us his
talent
“
”
— FIFA President Sepp Blatter.[67]
A 2006 television commercial for Brazilian soft drink Guaraná Antarctica portrayed Maradona as a member of the Brazilian national football team, including wearing the yellow jersey and singing the Brazilian national anthem with Brazilian caps Kaká and Ronaldo.[149] Later on in the commercial he wakes up realizing it was a nightmare after having drunk too much of the drink. This generated some controversy in the Argentine media after its release (although the commercial was not supposed to air on the Argentine market, fans could see it online). Maradona replied that he has no problem in wearing the Brazilian national squad jersey despite Argentina and Brazil having a tense rivalry in football, but that he would refuse to wear the shirt of River Plate, Boca Juniors' traditional rival.[150] In 2010, Maradona appeared in a commercial for the French fashion house Louis Vuitton, indulging in a game of table football with fellow legends Pelé and Zinedine Zidane.[151]
Career statistics
- Source: Club Statistics, at expertfootball.com[152]
Club
| Season | Club | League | League | Cup | Continental | Other | Total | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | |||
| 1976 | Argentinos Juniors | Primera División | 0+11 | 0+2 | 0 | 0 | – | – | 13 | 2 | ||
| 1977 | 37+12 | 13+6 | 0 | 0 | – | – | 49 | 19 | ||||
| 1978 | 31+4 | 22+4 | 0 | 0 | – | – | 35 | 26 | ||||
| 1979 | 14+12 | 14+12 | 0 | 0 | – | – | 26 | 26 | ||||
| 1980 | 32+13 | 25+18 | 0 | 0 | – | – | 45 | 43 | ||||
| Total | Argentinos Juniors | 166 | 116 | – | – | – | 166 | 116 | ||||
| 1981 | Boca Juniors | Primera División | 28+12 | 17+11 | 0 | 0 | – | – | 40 | 28 | ||
| 1982–83 | Barcelona | La Liga | 20 | 11 | 5 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 4 | 35 | 23 |
| 1983–84 | 16 | 11 | 4 | 1 | 3 | 3 | – | 23 | 15 | |||
| Total | Barcelona | 36 | 22 | 9 | 4 | 7 | 8 | 6 | 4 | 58 | 38 | |
| 1984–85 | Napoli | Serie A | 30 | 14 | 6 | 3 | – | – | 36 | 17 | ||
| 1985–86 | 29 | 11 | 2 | 2 | – | – | 31 | 13 | ||||
| 1986–87 | 29 | 10 | 10 | 7 | 2 | 0 | – | 41 | 17 | |||
| 1987–88 | 28 | 15 | 9 | 6 | 2 | 0 | – | 39 | 21 | |||
| 1988–89 | 26 | 9 | 12 | 7 | 12 | 3 | – | 50 | 19 | |||
| 1989–90 | 28 | 16 | 3 | 2 | 5 | 0 | – | 36 | 18 | |||
| 1990–91 | 18 | 6 | 3 | 2 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 26 | 10 | ||
| Total | Napoli | 188 | 81 | 45 | 29 | 25 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 259 | 115 | |
| 1992–93 | Sevilla | La Liga | 26 | 5 | 3 | 3 | – | – | 29 | 8 | ||
| 1993–94 | Newell's Old Boys | Primera División | 5 | 0 | – | – | – | 5 | 0 | |||
| 1995–96 | Boca Juniors | 11+13 | 3+2 | – | – | – | 24 | 5 | ||||
| 1996–97 | 0+1 | 0 | – | – | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | ||||
| 1997–98 | 5 | 2 | – | – | – | 5 | 2 | |||||
| Total | Boca Juniors | 70 | 35 | – | – | 1 | 0 | 71 | 35 | |||
| Total | Argentina | 191 | 151 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 242 | 151 | |
| Spain | 62 | 27 | 12 | 7 | 7 | 8 | 6 | 4 | 87 | 56 | ||
| Italy | 188 | 81 | 45 | 29 | 25 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 259 | 115 | ||
| Career total | 491 | 259 | 57 | 36 | 32 | 13 | 8 | 4 | 588 | 312 | ||
- Other – League Cup (Spain) and Super Cup (Italy)[153]
- His overall average of goals scored per match in domestic club competitions is 0.526.[154]
International
- Started in 21 consecutive matches for Argentina in four World Cups (1982, 1986, 1990, 1994)
- Appeared 16 times as captain of the national team, a World Cup-record.
- Scored 8 goals and provided 8 assists in 21 World Cup appearances, including 5 goals and 5 assists in 1986
- Tied for highest goal-scorer from Argentina in World Cup finals (equaled Guillermo Stábile's mark in 1994; surpassed by Gabriel Batistuta in 1998)
- Was fouled 23 times in the match Argentina v Italy in the 1982 World Cup, a single-match World Cup-record;
- Was fouled 50 times during 1990 World Cup, a single-tournament World-Cup record.
| Argentina national team | ||
|---|---|---|
| Year | Apps | Goals |
| 1977 | 3 | 0 |
| 1978 | 1 | 0 |
| 1979 | 8 | 3 |
| 1980 | 10 | 7 |
| 1981 | 2 | 1 |
| 1982 | 10 | 2 |
| 1983 | - | - |
| 1984 | - | - |
| 1985 | 10 | 6 |
| 1986 | 10 | 7 |
| 1987 | 6 | 4 |
| 1988 | 3 | 1 |
| 1989 | 7 | 0 |
| 1990 | 10 | 1 |
| 1991 | - | - |
| 1992 | - | - |
| 1993 | 4 | 0 |
| 1994 | 7 | 2 |
| Total | 91 | 34 |
Manager
| Team | Nat | From | To | Record | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| G | W | D | L | Win % | ||||
| Mandiyú de Corrientes |  |
January 1994 | June 1994 | 12 | 1 | 5 | 6 | 8.33 |
| Racing Club | |
May 1995 | November 1995 | 11 | 2 | 3 | 6 | 18.18 |
| Argentina | |
November 2008 | July 2010 | 19 | 14 | 0 | 5 | 73.68 |
| Al Wasl FC |  |
May 2011 | July 2012 | 22 | 7 | 5 | 10 | 31.82 |
Honours
Player
Club
Argentinos JuniorsRunner-up
Boca Juniors- Winners
Barcelona- Winners
Napoli- Winners
- Serie A (2): 1987-88, 1988-89
- Coppa Italia: 1988-89
Country
Argentina- Winners
- FIFA World Youth Championship: 1979
- 75th anniversary FIFA Cup: 1979
- FIFA World Cup: 1986
- Artemio Franchi Trophy: 1993
Manager
Club
Al-WaslRunner-up
Individual
- Argentine Primera División top scorers (5): 1978 Metropolitano, 1979 Metropolitano, 1979 Nacional, 1980 Metropolitano, 1980 Nacional
- FIFA World Youth Championship Golden Ball: 1979
- FIFA World Youth Championship Silver Shoe: 1979
- World Player of the Year (Guerin Sportivo): 1979
- Argentine Football Writers' Footballer of the Year (4): 1979, 1980, 1981, 1986
- South American Footballer of the Year (2): (official award) 1979, 1980
- Olimpia de Oro (2): 1979, 1986
- Guerin d'Oro (Serie A Footballer of the Year): 1985
- Onze de Bronze (2): 1985, 1988
- FIFA World Cup Golden Ball: 1986
- FIFA World Cup Silver Shoe: 1986
- FIFA World Cup Most Assists: 1986
- FIFA World Cup All-Star Team (2): 1986, 1990
- Onze d'Or (2): 1986, 1987
- Argentine Sports Writers' Sportsman of the Year: 1986
- L'Équipe Champion of Champions: 1986
- United Press International Athlete of the Year Award: 1986
- World Soccer Awards Player of the Year: 1986
- South American Player of the Year (4): (unofficial award) 1986, 1989, 1990, 1992
- Capocannoniere (Serie A top scorer): 1987–88
- Coppa Italia top scorer: 1987-88
- FIFA World Cup Bronze Ball: 1990
- Onze d'Or (top player of the year for the Onze Mondial French newspaper): 1994
- FIFA World Cup All-Time Team: 1994
- Ballon d'Or for services to football (France Football): 1996
- World Team of the 20th Century: 1998
- World Soccer The Greatest Players of the 20th century: (#2) 1999
- Argentine Sports Writers' Sportsman of the Century: 1999
- Marca Leyenda: 1999
- Number 10 retired by Napoli football team as a recognition to his contribution to the club: 2000
- FIFA Player of the Century: 2000
- FIFA World Cup Goal of the Century (1986 (2–1) v. England; second goal): 2002
- FIFA World Cup Dream Team: 2002
- FIFA 100 Greatest Living Footballers: 2004
- Argentine Senate "Domingo Faustino Sarmiento" recognition for lifetime achievement: 2005
- World Soccer Greatest XI of all time: 2013
- Napoli all-time Top Scorer
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