Who is Maradona? Diego Maradona, one of the greatest football players of all time, has not only conquered the football field with his natural talent but also become a symbol of world football. Born in a difficult situation in Lanús, Buenos Aires, Argentina, Maradona has overcome all challenges to create unforgettable historical moments in his career. From the early days of his career in Argentina, to the peak of glory in Napoli and the World Cup, Maradona has written the legendary story of a “Golden Boy” that any football fan must admire. To better understand Diego Maradona, please refer to the content below with Bestsoccertips.com!
Who is maradona?
Diego Maradona Biography:
- Full name: Diego Armando Maradona Franco
- Date of birth: 30 October 1960
- Date of death: 25 November 2020 (age 60)
- Place of birth: Lanus, Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Height: 1.65 m (5 ft 5 in)
- Position: Attacking midfielder, Attacking midfielder
Diego Maradona, one of the greatest legends in football history, was born in Lanus, a poor area of Buenos Aires, Argentina. He grew up in a large family with 3 sisters, 1 older brother and 1 younger brother. El Pibe de Oro early years were full of hardship and deprivation. His family lived in a slum, where living conditions were harsh and economic hardship. However, in the midst of those difficult circumstances, Maradona was raised in a warm and loving family environment.
From a young age, Maradona showed his natural talent. At the age of 8, in a match for the Estrella Roja club, his special talent was discovered. His agile steps and skillful ball control amazed all the witnesses. Therefore, El Pibe de Oro quickly attracted the attention of coaches.
As a teenager, he joined the Argentina Juniors youth team The Little Onions. Here, he made a strong impression on coaches and fans thanks to his graceful dribbling skills and exceptional ball handling ability, which was even more impressive considering he was only 12 years old. At Argentina Juniors, Maradona quickly became a shining star in the Argentine youth football scene.
During this period, Maradona also began to build his own idols. He particularly admired two famous players, Brazilian playmaker Rivelino and Manchester United winger George Best. El Pibe de Oro once shared that it was from these two that he found inspiration and motivation to pursue a football career. Rivelino’s talent and playing style, along with George Best’s excellent finishing and technique, greatly inspired Maradona and strongly influenced the way he played football later on.
From a very young age, Maradona proved to be different from his peers. Not only thanks to his dribbling ability, but also thanks to his sharp tactical vision and breakthrough scoring ability, he was quickly recognized as a promising young talent. The difficult and challenging early years of his life were the foundation for Maradona to develop and become one of the greatest players of all time.
The Great Footballer Maradona Playing Career
Diego Maradona’s career has been an impressive and eventful journey, from his early days at clubs in Argentina to his international glory and coaching years. Here are the key stages of Maradona’s career:
1. Early career (1976-1981)
Maradona began his professional career at the age of 15 at Argentinos Juniors. Here, he quickly distinguished himself with his outstanding skills and was nicknamed “The Golden Boy”. He then moved to Boca Juniors, where he marked an important milestone in his career. El Diego appearance at Boca Juniors not only brought glory to the club but also paved the way for him to go out into the world.
2. Barcelona (1982-1984)
In 1982, Maradona joined Barcelona for a then-record transfer fee of £5 million, making him the most expensive player in the world. However, Maradona’s time at Barcelona was not smooth. He suffered injuries and had conflicts with the club’s management. However, Maradona still showed his talent, and his career at Barcelona gave him more experience playing in Europe.
3. Napoli (1984-1991)
The most prominent period of Maradona’s career was at Napoli. In the summer of 1984, El Pibe de Oro moved to Napoli for a transfer fee of £6.9 million, a new record. At Napoli, Maradona became a legend of the club. He helped the team win two Serie A titles (1986-1987 and 1989-1990), the UEFA Cup (1989), and many other titles. Maradona was not only the captain but also the soul of the team, and his success at Napoli made him one of the greatest players in football history.
4. International career and World Cup (1982-1994)
Maradona had an impressive international career, especially at the World Cup. He participated in 4 World Cups (1982, 1986, 1990, 1994) with the Argentina team. The most memorable milestone in his international career was the 1986 World Cup in Mexico, when El Diego led Argentina to the championship. At this tournament, he scored famous goals such as the “Hand of God” and the “Goal of the Century” in the quarter-final match against England.
El Pibe de Oroalso played in the 1990 World Cup, helping Argentina reach the final, but his team lost to Germany. After being banned from the 1994 World Cup for doping, Maradona continued his international career until 1994, when he officially retired from international football.
5. Coach (2008-2020)
After retiring, Maradona entered a coaching career. He became head coach of the Argentina national team in 2008 and led the team to the 2010 World Cup. After leaving the national team, he coached a number of clubs, including Al Wasl (UAE), Dorados (Mexico), and Gimnasia de La Plata (Argentina). Although he did not achieve the same level of success as a player, El Pibe de Oro was still influential as a coach.
6. Life off the pitch
Aside from his playing and coaching career, Maradona also had a turbulent personal life. He suffered from many health problems and was criticized for drug abuse, especially in the later stages of his playing career. However, he is still remembered as a legend who changed the history of football.
El Pibe de Oro passed away on November 25, 2020, leaving behind a great legacy in the football world, becoming an indelible icon in the hearts of fans around the world.
Who is better Pele or Maradona?
The question of Pele or maradona who is better has always been a constant debate in the football world. Pele stands out with his achievement of winning the World Cup three times (1958, 1962, 1970), a record that no one can match. In addition, he also scored more than 1,000 goals throughout his career, affirming himself as one of the greatest goalscorers in football history.
Meanwhile, Maradona, although only winning one World Cup (1986), left a strong mark with historical moments. Especially at the 1986 World Cup, where he scored the “Hand of God” and “Goal of the Century” against England, these moves became legendary and made Maradona’s name. He stood out with his excellent dribbling ability and outstanding creativity.
In terms of club career, Pele mainly played for Santos and New York Cosmos, where he won many titles, while El Diego had an exceptional club career in Europe, especially at Napoli. At Napoli, Maradona helped the team win 2 Serie A titles and many international titles, bringing great success to the club.
In short, who is better diego maradona or Pele depends on each person’s perspective. Pele is respected for his World Cup achievements and the stability of his career, while Maradona is famous for his dribbling ability, creativity and the great moments he created on the pitch. Both are legends of world football.
Conclusion
So through the above article, you will know about who is Maradona? Diego Maradona is not only admired for his talent on the field but also for his indomitable fighting spirit and the cultural influence he left behind. With his mesmerizing moves and ability to change the game in a split second, Maradona has conquered the hearts of millions of fans around the world. His career is not only about titles but also a symbol of passion and resilience. Whether at the club or national team level, Maradona has always been a model of creativity and courage, which makes him an immortal legend in the hearts of football lovers.
See also: Messi which team – The legendary footsteps of Lionel Messi
