Diego Armando Maradona

Diego Maradona

When discussions arise about the greatest footballers in history, the debate usually narrows to two iconic names: Brazil’s legendary Pelé and Argentina’s “El Pibe de Oro,” Diego Armando Maradona. Judging them solely by talent and achievements makes picking one over the other nearly impossible—after all, both were crowned FIFA Players of the Century. 

Maradona in the World Cup 1990 semi-final vs. Italy

Biography

Prelude

In Argentina, however, Maradona was far more than a sporting icon — he was almost a divine presence. The Houston Chronicle once summed him up perfectly: a fusion of Michael Jordan’s athletic brilliance, Babe Ruth’s power, and Mike Tyson’s raw, human vulnerability.

The nickname “El Pibe de Oro” is rooted in an old Argentine tradition. In Angels with Dirty Faces, Jonathan Wilson describes el pibe as “the street kid who navigates life through a mix of charm and cleverness,” and, as a footballer, el pibe remains “free of responsibility — almost encouraged never to grow into full adulthood.

Early Signs of Greatness

Diego Maradona was born on 30 October 1960 and raised in harsh, impoverished conditions in Villa Fiorito, near Buenos Aires. He was the fourth child of Tota and Chitoro Maradona. At the age of three, he received a football as a birthday gift from a cousin a simple present that instantly became his most treasured companion.

His extraordinary talent was evident from a very young age. At just eight years old, he went for trials with Argentinos Juniors. The coaches were so stunned by his ability that they asked to see his identification card they simply couldn’t believe a child that young could play with such brilliance. In truth, he was even smaller than most boys his age. Once they confirmed his age, the coaches committed themselves to nurturing and developing his remarkable skills.

Even before he was old enough to play for the senior team, the young prodigy was already in the spotlight. During Argentinos Juniors’ matches, he entertained the crowd by performing dazzling ball tricks at halftime. His reputation quickly spread, and he was soon invited onto television programs, where he amazed viewers by juggling not only a football, but even an orange with the same effortless skill.

Argentinos and Boca

Although Maradona would spend only one season with Boca Juniors, he made it unforgettable. Scoring 28 goals in 40 matches, he led the club to the Primera División title. That same year, he played in his first World Cup. However, it proved a disappointing tournament for El Diego. Internal conflict within the squad, coupled with constant fouls from opponents, prevented him from imposing his brilliance. Argentina’s campaign ended after losses to Brazil—where Maradona was sent off for kicking a Brazilian player in the midsection—and Italy, which kept them from reaching the semi-finals.

Nevertheless, this setback did little to slow his rise. Maradona soon secured a world-record transfer to FC Barcelona for $7.3 million. On 26 June 1983, he became the first Barcelona player ever to receive a standing ovation from Real Madrid fans during El Clásico.

Yet his time in Spain fell short of expectations. On the pitch, he endured relentless fouls, culminating in a brutal challenge from Andoni Goikoetxea that left him with a broken leg. Off the pitch, his relationship with club officials was often strained; as an attempt to ease tensions, César Luis Menotti was hired as coach. The nightlife also took its toll, and it was during this period that Maradona first encountered cocaine.

His spell at Barcelona ended after a notorious mass brawl during the Copa del Rey final against Athletic Bilbao—an incident witnessed by King Juan Carlos and more than 100,000 spectators. With Maradona at the center of what became one of the ugliest scenes in Spanish football history, the club decided to move him on .

In 1984, Maradona moved to Napoli for yet another world-record fee, this time $13 million. Upon his arrival, a local newspaper famously remarked that the city lacked schools, public transport, housing, jobs, and proper sanitation — but none of that mattered now, because they had Maradona.

His unveiling at the Stadio San Paolo drew 75,000 ecstatic supporters. Overwhelmed by their passion, Maradona vowed to repay their devotion by giving everything on the pitch. His first Serie A season made an immediate impact, guiding Napoli to a third-place finish behind Juventus and Roma. But this was only the beginning — far greater achievements lay ahead. Meanwhile, the World Cup in Mexico approached.

Maradona in the Napoli shirt

Mexico 1986

By the time the 1986 World Cup arrived, there was little debate about who the best footballer on the planet was. This time, nothing — not even brutal fouls — could stop Maradona. He was simply too quick, too strong, and too intelligent, and referees were far less tolerant of the rough challenges that had neutralized him four years earlier.

With his low center of gravity, extraordinary ball control, dazzling dribbling, sharp vision, precise passing, and lightning-fast reactions, Maradona dominated every opponent and every match he played in the tournament.

After defeating long-time rivals Uruguay, Argentina advanced to face England in the quarter-finals — the match in which Maradona’s legend was truly sealed. Just four minutes after giving his team a 1–0 lead with a controversial goal scored by punching the ball into the net — a moment he would famously describe as “the Hand of God” — Maradona produced something even more astonishing.

Collecting the ball deep in his own half, he weaved past five English players before coolly slotting it past goalkeeper Peter Shilton. Eleven touches. Sixty meters. The Goal of the Century. 

The Hand of God 

After defeating long-time rivals Uruguay, Argentina advanced to face England in the quarter-finals the stage on which Maradona’s legend would be permanently etched into football history. Just four minutes after giving Argentina a 1–0 lead with a controversial hand-scored goal later immortalized as the “Hand of God” he delivered an even more unbelievable moment.

Picking up the ball deep inside his own half, Maradona surged forward, dribbling past five English defenders before calmly sliding his shot past goalkeeper Peter Shilton. 

Eleven touches. Sixty meters.

The Goal of the Century.

Maradona continued his brilliance in the semi-finals, scoring twice against Belgium to send Argentina into the final against West Germany. Even though the Germans double-marked him throughout the match, they still couldn’t prevent his influence. With the score level, Maradona unlocked the defense with a perfectly timed pass to Jorge Burruchaga, who scored the decisive goal.

After guiding Argentina to its second World Cup title, Maradona was unanimously named Player of the Tournament.

The grand Napoli era

After his World Cup triumph, Maradona returned to club football and immediately made history. In his first season back, he guided Napoli to the Serie A title the first league championship ever won by a club from southern Italy, achieved during a period of sharp North–South social and economic tension.

Napoli finished as runners-up in the next two campaigns before capturing their second scudetto in 1990, further cementing Maradona’s legacy as the club’s greatest icon.

Fall from Grace

Despite his brilliance on the pitch, Maradona’s personal life was rapidly deteriorating. In football-obsessed Naples, he had become almost a demigod yet at the same time, a prisoner of his own fame, with fans treating him as if he belonged to them.

Seeking escape, Diego gravitated toward questionable company. He appeared to have loose ties with the Giuliano clan, a powerful branch of the Camorra crime syndicate, and was seen attending a party hosted by boss Carmine Giuliano. Hidden from most, however, was his growing cocaine addiction, which had begun in the mid-1980s. Over time, the addiction would erode his physical condition and affect his performances.

Even so, he still managed to lead Argentina to another World Cup final in 1990. But West Germany proved too strong, and Argentina fell short. The tournament was held in Italy, by then Maradona’s second home. When Argentina faced Italy in Naples, many locals found themselves torn between supporting their nation and cheering for their beloved idol.

Life in Naples continued to unravel. The press began reporting on his relationship with Cristiana Sinagra and the child born in 1986 — a son Maradona would deny for many years. After testing positive for cocaine, he left Napoli in 1991 and received a 15-month suspension. His addiction to alcohol and drugs worsened before he eventually agreed to undergo detox and return to training.

Following the suspension, Maradona signed with Sevilla, led by former Argentina national coach Carlos Bilardo. He made only 26 appearances, and his time in Spain fell far short of the success he had enjoyed in Naples. After a dispute with the coach following a substitution during a match against Burgos in June 1993, Maradona played his final game for Sevilla.

He returned to Argentina and joined Newell’s Old Boys, but this chapter was brief — only seven matches.

At age 33, he made his final two World Cup appearances in 1994. His promising return was overshadowed by another failed drug test, this time for ephedrine. His international career ended with 34 goals in 91 matches.

Maradona’s final club spell came with Boca Juniors (1995–1997), before he retired from professional football in 1997.

Later life and legacy

Maradona’s cocaine addiction continued until 2004; around that time, he also gave up alcohol and underwent gastric bypass surgery. In 2008, he was appointed head coach of the Argentina national team, a role he held until the 2010 World Cup. After a 4–0 defeat to Germany in the quarter-finals, he was dismissed.

Despite his turbulent personal life, Maradona’s influence on football remains undeniable. Michel Platini once remarked, “The things I could do with a football, he could do with an orange.” Beyond his extraordinary skill, Maradona was admired for his willingness to speak boldly on behalf of his teammates and for many, that alone made him a leader.

Death

Maradona struggled with health issues later in life, many linked to his long history of alcohol abuse. In early November 2020, he survived surgery to remove a serious brain clot, but only weeks later, on November 25, he suffered a heart attack and passed away at the age of 60.

The best football player ever?

Diego Armando Maradona is widely regarded as one of the greatest footballers of all time. Wearing Argentina’s iconic No. 10 shirt, he became the nation’s savior when he led his country to World Cup glory in 1986 — Argentina’s second title, and one that would never have been possible without him.

Maradona became a living legend, and for decades the debate over the greatest player in history was often split between him and Pelé. Many Argentine talents — such as Ariel Ortega and Pablo Aimar — were hailed as “the new Maradona,” yet none truly reached his level until Lionel Messi emerged.

As Messi’s career flourished, the conversation around who is the greatest intensified. Supporters of Maradona point out that he carried both Argentina and Napoli to championships, while Messi did not win a World Cup during most of his prime years, and Barcelona were already a dominant force when he joined the first team.

Beyond statistics, the debate considers intangible qualities. Football journalist Jonathan Wilson explained Maradona’s greatness this way:

“It wasn’t just about his technical ability — his dribbling, free kicks, and goals — but about his inspiration and leadership. Among the other greats, perhaps only Cruyff — although in a different way — could match his tactical mind on the field.”

References:
Jonathan Wilson, Angels with Dirty Faces (2016)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diego_Maradona
https://www.biography.com/people/diego-maradona-9398176
https://www.nytimes.com/1994/07/01/sports/world-cup-94-after-second-test-maradona-is-out-of-world-cup.html
Image sources:
4., 5. FIFA – World Cup Official Film 1986
6. FIFA – World Cup Official Film 1990