Diego Armando Maradona 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.
Full name: Diego Armando Maradona Franco
Age (As of 2024): 63 Years of 2024
Birth place: Buenos Aires, Argentina
Height: 5 feet 5 inches
Playing position: Attacking midfielder
Teams: Argentina National Team, Barcelona
Spouse (s): fiancee Claudia Villafane
Religion: Catholic
Zodiac sign: Scorpio
Awards: Golden Ball Award
Diego Maradona is an Argentinian football legend who played for Argentina’s national football team. He is recognized as one of the best footballers of all time in the world by the modern greatest players and critics. Although he is a controversial figure for connection with drug abuse in the football world but won the World Cup in 1986. Maradona played for various famous clubs including Boca Juniors, Barcelona, and Napoli. Maradona has faced health problems in retirement.
Maradona Early Life:
Diego Maradona was born on October 30, 1960, to the father, Diego Maradona ‘Chitoro’, and mother, ‘Doña Tota’ in a poor family. When he was 3 years old, a soccer ball was gifted to him for the first time but quickly he devoted himself to the soccer game at a very early age. He joined one of the biggest clubs Argentinos Juniors in Argentina at 10. Maradona made his professional debut before his 16th birthday, showing prodigious skill in soccer.
Professional Career:
Diego Maradona was a renowned Argentine midfielder who played four World Cups including 1986, where he led Argentina and won the trophies over West Germany. He is best known for the term “Hand of God” where he scored a goal against England in the 1986 World Cup quarter-final by his left hand. He also scored another goal in this match dribbling past six English defenders from 60m away. The two goals are remarkable for two different causes. Later, Maradona claimed was the job of ‘The hand of God. In 91 international appearances for Argentina, he scored 34 goals.
Despite his unquestioned talent, he is an equally controversial figure. He was addicted during playing in the Spain in 1980s and received a suspension of 15 months for connection with drug abuse. After retirement, he faced health problems seriously including being hospitalized for heart disease and obesity. Maradona is sometimes criticized around the world by the media and sports executives for his outspoken manners. The best player of the present time, Lionel Messi is considered the appropriate successor to Maradona. The name, Maradona is still now beloved in the native country of Argentina reaches the apex of fame from the humble beginning.
Personal Relationship:
Maradona married to fiancee Claudia Villafane on November 07, 1984. They had two daughters named Dalma Nerea and Giannina Dinorah but the couple divorced in 2004. Maradona’s daughter Giannina married Manchester City striker Sergio Agüero, they also separated in January 2013. Maradona’s mother died on November 19, 2011, at 81 years old.