DIEGO MARADONA

TEAMS PLAYED FOR

Boca Juniors (Argentina): 1995 – 1997
Newell’s Old Boys (Argentina): 1993
Sevilla (Spain): 1992 – 1993
Napoli (Italy): 1984 – 1991
FC Barcelona (Spain): 1982 – 1984
Boca Juniors (Argentina): 1981 – 1982
Argentinos Juniors (Argentina): 1976 - 1981

BIO

Diego Maradona was born on October 30, 1960 in Lanus, Argentina. His parents already had three daughters and were extremely happy to give birth to their first son whom they named after the father. Diego also has two younger brothers.
When Diego turned 7 years old, his cousin gave him a soccer ball as a birthday gift. At first Diego didn’t care about the ball and played mostly with trains and model planes. However, when the spring came, he decided to try the ball out in the street.
Slowly but surely, soccer became the main focus of boy’s life; he would spend all his free time chasing the ball around with his friends. He loved playing soccer so much that at the times when his mom would not let him go out, Diego would cause a scandal in the house. Diego’s father was the savior in these situations as he would always stand on his son’s side and would even join the son and his friends playing soccer.
When the next year of school started Diego was immediately accepted onto the soccer team and beginning with the first practices he started showing the potential of a leader. Maradona would not only score goals from any part of the field possible, he would also always encourage his teammates, especially at the times when his team would allow a goal. His parents tell a story about the time when Diego promised his friend and teammate who was hurt and could not play, that he would score two goals for himself and three for his friend. That happened to be the game against the youth team of the famous club River Plate who at that time were the champions of Argentina. In that game Maradona’s team won 7:1 and he scored 5 goals, as promised. Right after that game the country started talking about the amazing ten year-old.

CLUB CAREER

The first game in Maradona’s professional career was his debut for Argentinos Juniors, which took place in 1976, right before his birthday. His team lost that day but everyone who saw Maradona play were amazed by his potential.
Maradona’s talent developed well in his 6 years in Argentine soccer. While playing for Argentinos Juniors and Boca Juniors, he scored over 140 goals in 206 games, amazing achievement, especially considering the fact that by this time he was still only 22 years old.
After 1982 World Cup, Maradona signed a contract with his first European team, FC Barcelona for then world record transfer fee of 5 million pounds. Although Maradona won every trophy he could at Barcelona, he had a great time at the team. First hepatitis, then a broken leg jeopardized his career. but Maradona's physical strength and willpower made it possible for him to soon be back on the pitch. At Barcelona Maradona got into frequent disputes with the team's directors, and in 1984, he demanded a transfer out of Camp Nou. That same year Diego transferred to Italian Napoli for 7.5 million dollars. Napoli fans were ecstatic when they found out that he will be playing for their team. Over sixty thousand spectators came to see Maradona’s debut for his new team. Over the years, Maradona continue being a prolific goal scorer and leader of the team. Having become the captain, Diego helped the team win National championships and European Cups.
Maradona was the most popular player in Naples. However, after 1990 World Cup, when Argentina knocked Italy out of the final on penalty shoot out, the fans turned on him. From the most popular player in Italy he became most hated. After one of the matches Italian soccer federation insisted he take a blood test. It was discovered that he had cocaine in his system. Many people knew that he would use cocaine to relieve his stress, but this time he was arrested. During the interview at the police station, Diego admitted that he used drugs. At that time, it was decided not to prosecute him, instead, Maradona was disqualified for a year and a half.
During his absence from the team, the fans and team management could not wait for him to get back, however he refused to return to the club. He broke the contract with the team and paid the remaining money to Napoli out of his own pocket.
From Italy Maradona signed for Spanish time Sevilla, but his time at the team was short. After just one season, Diego returned to Argentina.

NATIONAL TEAM CAREER

The first game for the national team, Diego played when he was 16 years old. Regardless of his talent, Diego was considered too young, and was rejected from the main squad selection for the 1978 World Cup. Bitterly disappointed, Maradona wound up watching the tournament from home as his country wins gold. In the following four years, Diego dominates his country's domestic league and is eventually added to the Argentine squad for Spain 1982.
Argentina advanced from the first stage of the tournament by losing to Belgium, but beating Hungary and Salvador. Maradona managed to leave his mark with two beautiful goals. In the second stage of the tournament, Maradona received a red card in the game against Italy and was forced to miss the following game. As a result, Argentina fails to advance and Diego was once again suppressed from unleashing his full potential.
At the 1986 World Cup in Mexico, Maradona makes his return on the World stage in a spectacular fashion. After leading his team to a quarter final against England, Diego stole the attention of millions with both his controversial character and technical brilliance. The fuss around the Argentina-England encounter is further elevated by the Falkland Islands conflict, which at that time had turned both countries against each other. Diego scored the first goal by striking the ball with his hand over the English goalkeeper Peter Shilton. Unnoticed by the referees, the mishap is ruled a goal. Five minutes later, Maradona single handedly takes the ball through the entire English defense with slalom from midfield right down to the goal line. After the match, when confronted with the video footage of the illegal goal, Maradona replies simply "Even if there was a hand, it must have been the hand of God." Maradona silenced his critics by deciding the following semi and final matches. By scoring two goals in the first and with an assist in the second, Maradona practically earns the World Cup for his nation.
At Italy 1990 World Cup, all eyes are on Argentina and its brightest star Diego Maradona. Diego comes close to replicating his success from four years ago. With Maradona's ability, Argentina defeated Brazil, Yugoslavia and Italy on its way to the final. Most memorable is the semi-final match between Argentina and Italy played at Diego's club home Naples. To the torment of Maradona, the fans at his own club stadium boo him during the match. Nevertheless, Argentina eliminates Italy after a penalty shootout. The final of the 1990 World Cup, leaves Diego helpless as Argentina are defeated 0-1 by West Germany with a goal from a questionable penalty.
After the loss against West Germany, Maradona's career plummets. In March of 1991, he tested positive for doping and is banned from football for 15 months.
The 1994 World Cup confirms that Diego's career in international football is over. He was suspended again after failing yet another doping test. Hurt by his absence, Argentina is eventually eliminated by Romania in the second stage.
All together, Maradona participated in four World Cups, 1982, 1986, 1990 and 1994.

PERSONAL INFO

Diego Maradona was married to Claudia Villafane for 15 years until their divorce in 2004. They had two daughters, Dalma and Giannina. Maradona is also a father to Diego Jr whom he had with a woman while living in Italy. In his autobiography, Maradona admits he was not always faithful to Claudia, even though he refers to her as the love of his life.

TITLES AND AWARDS

Boca Juniors

Primera Division: 1981

FC Barcelona

Copa del Rey: 1983
Spanish League Cup: 1983
Spanish Super Cup: 1983

Napoli

Seria A: 1987, 1990
Coppa Italia: 1987
UEFA Cup: 1989
Italian Super Cup: 1990

International

FIFA World Youth Championship: 1979
FIFA World Cup (Winner): 1986
FIFA World Cup (Runner-up): 1990