Diego MaradonaFrom Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

"Maradona" redirects here. For other uses, seeMaradona (disambiguation).This name usesSpanish naming customs: the first or paternalfamily nameisMaradonaand the second or maternal family name isFranco.Diego Maradona

Maradona withAl Waslin 2012

Personal information

Full nameDiego Armando Maradona Franco

Date of birth30 October 1960(age54)

Place of birthLans,Buenos Aires, Argentina

Height1.65m (5ft 5in)

Playing positionAttacking midfielderSecond striker[1][2][3][4]

Youth career

19681969Estrella Roja

19701974Los Cebollitas

19751976Argentinos Juniors

Senior career*

YearsTeamApps(Gls)

19761981Argentinos Juniors166(116)

19811982Boca Juniors40(28)

19821984Barcelona36(22)

19841991Napoli188(81)

19921993Sevilla26(5)

19931994Newell's Old Boys5(0)

19951997Boca Juniors30(7)

Total491(259)

National team

19771979Argentina U2024(13)

19771994Argentina91(34)

Teams managed

1994Mandiy de Corrientes

1995Racing Club

20082010Argentina

20112012Al Wasl

Honours[show]

* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only. Appearances (Goals).

Diego Armando Maradona Franco(Spanish pronunciation:[djeo maaona], born 30 October 1960) is an Argentine formerfootballer. He has served as a manager and coach at other clubs as well as for the national team of Argentina. Many experts, football critics, former players, current players and football fans regard Maradona as the greatest football player of all time.[5][6][7][8]He was jointFIFA Player of the 20th CenturywithPel.[9][10]Aplaymakerwho operated in the classic number 10 position, Maradona is the only player in football history to set theworld record transfer feetwice, first when he transferred toBarcelonafor a then world record 5m, and second, when he transferred toNapolifor another record fee 6.9m.[11]He played forArgentinos Juniors,Boca Juniors, Barcelona, Napoli,SevillaandNewell's Old Boysduring his club career, and is most famous for his time at Napoli where he won numerous accolades. In his international career withArgentina, he earned 91capsand scored 34 goals. Maradona's exceptional vision, passing, ball control,dribblingskills, speed, reflexes and thinking time was combined with his small size (he was 5'5", or 1.65m) giving him a low center of gravity which allowed him to be more maneuverable than most other football players; he would often dribble past multiple opposing players on a run. His presence on the pitch would have a great effect on his team's general performance, while he would often be singled out by the opposition. A precocious talent, Maradona was given the nickname "El Pibe de Oro" ("The Golden Boy"), a name that stuck with him throughout his career.[12]Maradona played in fourFIFA World Cups, including the1986 World Cupin Mexico where he captained Argentina and led them tovictory over West Germanyin the final, and won theGolden Ballas the tournament's best player. In the 1986 World Cup quarter final, he scored both goals in a 21 victory overEnglandthat entered football history for two different reasons. The first goal was an unpenalized handling foul known as the "Hand of God", while the second goal followed a 60m (66yd) dribble past five England players, voted "The Goal of the Century" by FIFA.com voters in 2002.[13]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, forcocaine, in Italy, and he was sent home from the1994 World Cupin the U.S. after testing positive forephedrine. In 2005, he lost a considerable amount of extra weight and overcame his cocaine addiction. Known for his street smart, anti-establishment persona, 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 the2010 World Cup.He coached Dubai-based clubAl Waslin theUAE Pro-Leaguefor the 201112 season. In August 2013, Maradona joined ArgentinePrimera DclubDeportivo Riestra's staff as "spiritual coach".[14][15][16]Contents[hide] 1Early years 2Club career 2.1Argentinos Juniors and Boca Juniors 2.2Barcelona 2.3Napoli 2.4Sevilla, Newell's Old Boys and Boca Juniors 3International career 3.11982 World Cup 3.21986 World Cup 3.31990 World Cup 3.41994 World Cup 4Playing style 5Retirement and honours 6Managerial career 6.1Club management 6.2International management 7Personal life 7.1Family 7.2Drug abuse and health issues 7.3Political views 7.4Financial problems 8In popular culture 9Career statistics 9.1Club 9.2International 9.3Manager 10Honours 10.1Player 10.1.1Club 10.1.2Country 10.1.3Individual 10.2Manager 10.2.1Club 11See also 12References 13External linksEarly years[edit]"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.[17]Diego Maradona was born on 30 October 1960, at the Policlnico (Polyclinic) Evita Hospital inLans, Buenos Aires Province, but raised inVilla Fiorito, ashantytownon the southern outskirts ofBuenos Aires, Argentina,[18]to a poor family that had moved fromCorrientes Province. He was the first son after three daughters. He has two younger brothers,Hugo (el Turco)andRal(Lalo), both of whom were also professional football players. Maradona is of Italian, Spanish, Croatian, Indigenous-Argentinian ancestry.[19][20]His surname originates from the Spanish regionGalicia.[19][21][22]He was the fifth child and first son of Diego Maradona 'Chitoro' and Dalma Salvadora Franco 'Doa Tota' (19302011). 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 Ramn Edisto Franco, until she was eighteen years old. Maradona's parents were both born and brought up in the town ofEsquinain the north-east province ofCorrientes Province, living only two hundred yards from each other on the banks of theCorriente River. In 1950, they leftEsquinaand settled in Buenos Aires.At age eight, Maradona was spotted by a talent scout while he was playing in his neighborhood clubEstrella Roja. He became a staple ofLos Cebollitas(The Little Onions), the junior team of Buenos Aires'sArgentinos 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.[23]He named Brazilian playmakerRivelinoand Manchester United wingerGeorge Bestamong his inspirations growing up.[24][25]Club career[edit]Argentinos Juniors and Boca Juniors[edit]On 20 October 1976, Maradona made his professional debut with Argentinos Juniors, ten days before his sixteenth birthday.[26]He played there between 1976 and 1981, scoring 115 goals in 167 appearances before his 1m transfer toBoca Juniors. Boca was the team Maradona always wanted to play for.[27]Having joined the Boca squad midway through the 1981 season, Maradona played through 1982 earning his first league championship medal.[28]Barcelona[edit]"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 teammateLobo Carrasco.[29]After the1982 World Cup, in June, Maradona was transferred toFC Barcelonain Spain for a thenworld record feeof 5m ($7.6m).[26]In 1983, under coachCsar Luis Menotti, Barcelona and Maradona won theCopa del Rey(Spain's annual national cup competition), beatingReal Madrid, and theSpanish Super Cup, beatingAthletic Bilbao.On 26 June 1983, Barcelona defeated Real Madrid on the road in the world's biggest club game,El Clsico, a match where Maradona scored and became the first Barcelona player to be applauded by arch rival Real Madrid fans.[30]Maradona dribbled past Madrid goalkeeperAgustn, and as he approached the empty goal he stopped just as Madrid defenderJuan Joscame sliding in a desperate attempt to block the shot and ended up crashing into the post, before Maradona slotted the ball into the net.[31]Many inside the stadium were stunned at the manner of the goal and started applauding: onlyRonaldinho, in November 2005, has since been granted such an ovation as a Barcelona player from Madrid fans at theSantiago Bernabu.[30]Due to illness and injury as well as controversial incidents on the field, Maradona had a difficult tenure in Barcelona.[32]First a bout ofhepatitis, then a broken ankle in aLa Ligagame at the Camp Nou in September 1983 caused by an ill-timed tackle by Athletic Bilbao'sAndoni Goikoetxeathreatened to jeopardize Maradona's career, but after treatment and therapy it was possible for him to be back on the pitch after a recovery period of three months.[26]

Athletic Bilbao defenderAndoni Goikoetxea, dubbed "The butcher from Bilbao", was involved in two major controversial incidents with MaradonaThe end of the 198384 season included a violent and chaotic fight Maradona was directly involved in at the1984 Copa del Reyfinal at the Santiago Bernabu againstAthletic Bilbao.[33]After receiving another rough tackle by Goikoetxea which wounded his leg, being taunted with xenophobic insults throughout the match by Bilbao fans, and being provoked by Bilbao'sMiguel Solaat full time as Barcelona lost 10, Maradona snapped.[33]He aggressively got up, stood inches from Sola's face and the two exchanged words. This started a chain reaction of emotional reactions from both teams. Using expletives, Sola mimicked a gesture from the crowd towards Maradona by using a xenophobic term.[34]Maradona then headbutted Sola, elbowed another Bilbao player in the face, and kneed another player in the head, knocking him out cold.[33]The Bilbao squad surrounded Maradona to exact some retribution with Goikoetxea connecting with a high kick to his chest, before the rest of the Barcelona squad joined in to help Maradona; and from this point on the Barcelona and Bilbao players brawled on the field with Maradona in the center of the action, kicking and punching anyone in a Bilbao shirt.[33]The mass brawl was played out in front of the SpanishKing Juan Carlosand an audience of 100,000 fans inside the stadium, and more than half of Spain watching on television.[35]Sixty people were injured; and this incident effectively sealed Maradona's transfer out of the club in what was his last game in a Barcelona shirt.[34]One Barcelona executive stated: "When I saw those scenes of Maradona fighting and the chaos that followed I realized we couldn't go any further with him."[35]Maradona got into frequent disputes with Barcelona FC executives, especially club presidentJosep Llus Nez, culminating with a demand to be transferred out ofCamp Nouin 1984. During his two injury-hit seasons at Barcelona, Maradona scored 38 goals in 58 games.[36]Maradona transferred toNapoliin Italy'sSerie Afor another world record fee,6.9m ($10.48m).[37]Napoli[edit]

Diego Maradona withNapoliin 1985. Throughout his career he would wear number 10 for both club and countryMaradona arrived inNaplesand was presented to the world media as aNapoliplayer on 5 July 1984, where he was welcomed by 75,000 fans at his presentation at theStadio San Paolo.[38]Sports writer David Goldblatt commented; "They [the fans] were convinced that the saviour had arrived."[39]A local newspaper stated that despite the lack of a "mayor, houses, schools, buses, employment and sanitation, none of this matters because we have Maradona."[39]Prior to Maradona's arrival, Italian football was dominated from teams north of Naples, such asA.C. Milan,Juventus,Inter MilanandA.S. Roma, and no team from southern Italy had ever won the league title.[39][40]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.[39]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.[39]Led by Maradona, Napoli won their first everSerie A Italian Championshipin 1986/87.[39]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.'"[39]Murals of Maradona were painted on the cities ancient buildings, and new born children were named in his honor.[39]Napoli would win their second league title in 1989/1990, and finish runners up in the league twice, in 1987/88 and 1988/89.[39]Other honors during the Maradona era at Napoli included theCoppa Italiain 1987, (second place in theCoppa Italiain 1989), theUEFA Cupin 1989 and theItalian Supercupin 1990.[39]Maradona was the top scorer inSerie Ain 1987/88, and is the all-time leading goalscorer for Napoli with 115 goals.[28][41]When asked who was the toughest player he ever faced, A.C. Milan legendFranco Baresistated: "Maradona; when he was on form, there was almost no way of stopping him", a view shared by his Milan teammate and fellow all-time greatPaolo Maldini, who stated: "The best ever I played against was Maradona."[42][43]While Maradona was successful on the field, during his time in Italy his personal problems increased. Hiscocaineuse continued, and he received US $70,000 in fines from his club for missing games and practices, ostensibly because of 'stress'.[44]He faced a scandal there regarding an illegitimateson; and he was also the object of some suspicion over an alleged friendship with theCamorra.[45][46][47][48][49]Later on, in honor of Maradona and his achievements during his career at Napoli, the No. 10 jersey of Napoli was officially retired.[50]Sevilla, Newell's Old Boys and Boca Juniors[edit]After serving a 15-month ban for failing adrug testforcocaine, Maradona left Napoli in disgrace in 1992. Despite interest fromReal Madridof Spain andOlympique Marseilleof France, he signed forSevillaof Spain, where he stayed for one year.[51]In 1993 he played forNewell's Old Boysand in 1995 he returned toBoca Juniorsfor two years.[26]Maradona also appeared forTottenham Hotspurin a friendly match againstInter Milan, shortly before the1986 World Cup. The match was a testimonial forOsvaldo Ardiles, who insisted that his friend Maradona play.[52]

International career[edit]During his time with the Argentine national team, Maradona scored 34 goals in 91 appearances. He made his full international debut at age 16, againstHungaryon 27 February 1977. Maradona was left off the Argentine squad for the 1978 World Cup on home soil by coachCesar Luis Menottiwho felt the 17 year old was still too young.[53]At age 18, he played the1979 FIFA World Youth Championshipin Japan, and was the star of the tournament, shining in Argentina's 31 final win over theSoviet Union. On 2 June 1979, Maradona scored his first senior international goal in a 31 win againstScotlandatHampden Park.[54]Maradona and his compatriot andheir apparent,Lionel Messi, are the only players to win the Golden Ball at both theFIFA U-20 World CupandFIFA World Cup. Maradona did so in1979and1986, which Messi emulated in2005and2014.[55]1982 World Cup[edit]Maradona played his firstWorld Cuptournament in 1982 in his new country of residence, Spain. Argentina played Belgium in the opening game of the 1982 Cup at theCamp Nouin Barcelona. The Catalan crowd was eager to see their new world-record signing Maradona in action, but he did not perform to expectations.[56]Argentina, the defending champions, lost toBelgium10. Although the team convincingly beat bothHungaryandEl Salvadorin Alicante to progress to the second round, they were defeated in the second round byBraziland by eventual winnersItaly. The Italian match is renowned for Maradona being aggressivelyman-markedbyClaudio Gentile, as Italy beat Argentina at the Sarria Stadium in Maradona's new home city Barcelona.[57]Maradona played in all five matches without being substituted, scoring twice against Hungary. After being fouled repeatedly in all five games and particularly in the last one against Brazil at the Sarria; a game that was blighted by poor officiating and violent fouls. With Argentina already down 3-0, 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.[58]1986 World Cup[edit]Maradona captained the Argentine national team to victory in the1986 World Cupin Mexico, winning the final in the capital of Mexico City againstWest Germany.[59]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 at theOlimpico Stadiumin Mexico City. His first goal of the tournament came against Italy in the second group game in Puebla.[60]Argentina eliminated Uruguay in the first knockout round in Puebla, and this meant that they were to playEnglandat theAzteca Stadiumin Mexico City. After scoring two contrasting goals in the21 quarter-final winagainst England his legend was cemented. The majesty of his second goal and the notoriety of his first led to the French newspaperL'Equipedescribing Maradona as "half-angel, half-devil".[61]This match was played with the background of theFalklands Warbetween Argentina and the United Kingdom. Replays showed that the firstgoalwas 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."[59]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.[62]"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."Bryon ButlerBBC Radiocommentary on Maradona's second goal.[63]Maradona's second goal, just four minutes after the hotly disputed hand-goal, was later voted by FIFA as the greatest goal in the history of the World Cup. He received the ball in his own half, swivelled around, and with 11 touches ran more than half the length of the field,dribblingpast five English outfield players (Peter Beardsley,Steve Hodge,Peter Reid,Terry Butcher, andTerry Fenwick) before he left goalkeeperPeter Shiltonon his backside with afeint, and slotted the ball into the net.[64]This goal was voted "Goal of the Century" in a 2002 online poll conducted byFIFA.[13]Maradona followed this with two more goals in a semi-final match againstBelgiumat the Azteca, including another virtuoso dribbling display for the second goal. In the final match, the opposingWest Germanside attempted to contain him by double-marking, but he nevertheless found the space past the West German playerLothar Matthusto give the final pass toJorge Burruchagafor the winning goal.Argentina beat West Germany 32in front of 115,000 spectators at the Azteca.[61][65]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.[66][67]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.[67]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, something that he didn't entirely agree with.[67][68][69][70]In a tribute to him,Azteca Stadiumauthorities built a statue of him scoring the "Goal of the Century" and placed it at the entrance of the stadium.[71]1990 World Cup[edit]Maradona captained Argentina again in the1990 World Cupin Italy to yet another World Cup Final. An ankle injury affected his overall performance, and he was much less dominant than four years earlier. After losing their opening game to theCameroonat theSan Siroin Milan, Argentina were almost eliminated in the first round, only qualifying in third position from their group. In the round of 16 match againstBrazilin Turin,Claudio Caniggiascored the only goal after being set up by Maradona.[72]In the quarter final, Argentina facedYugoslaviain Florence, the match ending 00 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 at Maradona's club stadium in Naples was also resolved on penalties after a 11 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. At thefinalin Rome, Argentina lost 10 to West Germany, the only goal being a penalty byAndreas Brehmein the 85th minute after a controversial foul onRudi Vller.[72]1994 World Cup[edit]At the1994 World Cupin the United States, Maradona played in only two games (both at theFoxboro Stadiumnear Boston), scoring one goal againstGreece, before being sent home after failing adrug testforephedrinedoping. 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 by Romania in Los Angeles. 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.[73]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.[74]Playing style[edit]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.[75]"Even if I played for a million years, Id never come close to Maradona. Not that Id want to anyway. Hes the greatest theres ever been."Lionel Messi, current Argentina captain.[76]"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."Gary Lineker, England's 1986 World Cup striker on Maradona'sGoal of the Century.[75]Aclassic number 10, Maradona was renowned for hisdribblingability, vision, close ball control, passing and creativity, and is considered one of the most skillful players ever.[70][77][78]He had a compact physique, and with his strong legs and low center of gravity he could withstand physical pressure well while running with the ball.[79]Dutch legendJohan Cruyffsaw similarities between Maradona andLionel Messiwith the ball seemingly attached to their body when dribbling.[80]His physical strengths were illustrated by his two goals against Belgium in the1986 World Cup. He was a strategist and a team player, as well as highly technical with the ball. He could manage himself effectively in limited spaces, and would attract defenders only to quickly dash out of the melee (as in the second 1986-goal against England),[81]or give an assist to a free teammate. Being short, but strong, he could hold the ball long enough with a defender on his back to wait for a teammate making a run or to find a gap for a quick shot. He showed leadership qualities on the field and captainedArgentinain their World Cup campaigns of 1986, 1990 and 1994.[82][83][84]One of Maradona's trademark moves wasdribblingfull-speed on the right wing, and on reaching the opponent's goal line, delivering accurate passes to his teammates. Another trademark was theRabona,a reverse-cross pass shot behind the leg that holds all the weight. This maneuver led to several assists, such as the powerful cross forRamn Daz's header in the 1980 friendly againstSwitzerland. He was also a dangerousfree kicktaker.[85]Maradona was famous for his cunning personality.[86]Inherent within his nickname "El Pibe de Oro" ("Golden Boy") is a sense of mischief, with "pibe" being an anti-establishment rogue, street smart and full of guile.[12]Some critics view his controversial "Hand of God" goal at the 1986 World Cup as a clever maneuver, 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.[87]The goal itself has been viewed as an embodiment of the Buenos Aires shanty town Maradona was brought up in and its concept ofviveza criolla native cunning.[88]Maradona used his hand in the 1990 World Cup, again without punishment, and this time on his own goal line, to prevent theUSSRfrom scoring.[89]A number of publications have referred to Maradona as theArtful Dodger, the cunning urchin pickpocket expert from Charles Dickens'Oliver Twist.[90][91][92][93]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 the1990 World Cupsecond round tie against Brazil, he did use his right foot to set up the winning goal forCaniggiadue to two Brazilian markers forcing him into a position that made use of his left foot less practical.[94]Retirement and honours[edit]

Diego Maradona'sblaugranashirt at display inFC Barcelona Museum.Hounded for years by the press, Maradona once fired acompressed-air rifleat reporters who he claimed were invading his privacy. This quote from former teammateJorge Valdanosummarizes the feelings of many: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.[95]In 1999Konex Foundationfrom Argentina granted him the DiamondKonex 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 autobiographyYo Soy El Diego("I amThe Diego"), which became an instantbestseller[96]in his home country. Two years later, Maradona donated the Cuban royalties of his book to "theCubanpeople andFidel."[97]

Maradona at the Soccer Aid charity game atOld Traffordin May 2006, after losing weightIn 2000, he wonFIFA Player of the Centuryaward which was to be decided by votes on their official website, their official magazine and a grand jury. Maradona won the Internet-based poll, garnering 53.6% of the votes against 18.53% forPel.[98]In spite of this, and shortly before the ceremony, FIFA added a second award and appointed a "Football Family" committee composed of football journalists that also gave to Pel the title of best player of the century to make it a draw. Maradona also came fifth in the vote of the IFFHS (International Federation of Football History and Statistics).[99]In 2001, theArgentine Football Association(AFA) asked FIFA for authorization toretirethejersey number10 for Maradona. FIFA did not grant the request, even though Argentine officials have maintained that FIFA hinted that it would.[100]Maradona has topped a number of fan polls, including a 2002 FIFA poll in which his second goal against England was chosen as thebest 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 10World Cupplayers of all time by the London-based newspaperThe Times.[101]Argentinos Juniorsnamed itsstadiumafter Maradona on 26 December 2003.In 2003, Maradona was employed by the Libyan footballerAl-Saadi Gaddafi, the third son of ColonelMuammar Gaddafi, as a "technical consultant", while Al-Saadi was playing for the Italian club,Perugia Calcio, which was in Serie A at the time.[102]

Maradona inKolkata,Indiain 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 inSalt Lake Stadium.[103]On 22 June 2005, it was announced that Maradona would return toBoca Juniorsas a sports vice president in charge of managing the First Division roster (after a disappointing200405season, which coincided with Boca's centenary).[104]His contract began 1 August 2005, and one of his first recommendations proved to be very effective: he was the one who decided to hireAlfio Basileas the new coach. With Maradona fostering a close relationship with the players, Boca went on to win the 2005Aperturatitle, the 2006Clausuratitle, the2005 Copa Sudamericanaand trhe2005 Recopa Sudamericana.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 wasPel; 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 Pel. In subsequent evenings, he led the ratings on all occasions but one. Most guests were drawn from the worlds of football and show business, includingRonaldoandZinedine Zidane, but also included interviews with other notable friends and personalities such as Cuban leaderFidel Castroand boxersRoberto DurnandMike Tyson.[105]Maradona gave each of his guests a signed Argentina jersey, which Tyson wore when he arrived in Brazil, Argentina's deadliest rivals.[106]In May 2006, Maradona agreed to take part in UK'sSoccer Aid(a program to raise money forUnicef).[107]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 theArgentina national football team.[108]In 2008, award-winningSerbianfilmmakerEmir Kusturicamade a documentary about Maradona's life, entitledMaradona.[109]On 1 September 2014, Maradona, along with many current and former footballing stars, took part in the "Match for Peace", which was played at theStadio Olimpico, in Rome, with the proceeds being donated entirely to charity.[110]Maradona set up a goal forRoberto Baggioduring the first half of the match, with a chipped through-ball over the defence with the outside of his left foot.[111]Unusually, both Baggio and Maradona wore the number 10 shirt, despite playing on the same team.[111]Managerial career[edit]Club management[edit]

Maradona inAl Karama,United Arab Emiratesin 2011 after being appointed manager of Dubai clubAl Wasl FCHe attempted to work as a coach alongside formerArgentinos Juniorsmidfield team mateCarlos Fren. The pair ledMandiyofCorrientes(1994) andRacing Club(1995), but with little success. In May 2011 he became manager of Dubai clubAl Wasl FCin the United Arab Emirates. Maradona was sacked in 10 July 2012.[112][113]International management[edit]After the resignation ofArgentina national football teamcoachAlfio Basilein 2008, Diego Maradona immediately proposed his candidacy for the vacant role. According to several press sources, his major challengers includedDiego Simeone,Carlos Bianchi,Miguel ngel RussoandSergio Batista.On 29 October 2008, AFA chairmanJulio Grondonaconfirmed 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 againstScotlandatHampden Parkin Glasgow which Argentina won 10.[114]

Maradona as coach of Argentina in 2009After winning his first three matches in charge of the national team, he oversaw a 61 defeat toBolivia, equalling the team's worst ever margin of defeat. With two matches remaining in thequalification tournamentfor 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.[115][116]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".[117]FIFA responded with a two-month ban on all footballing activity, which expired on 15 January 2010, and aCHF25,000 fine, with a warning as to his future conduct.[118]The friendly match scheduled to take place at home to theCzech Republicon 15 December, during the period of the ban, was cancelled. The only match Argentina played during Maradona's ban was a friendly away toCatalonia, which Argentina lost 42.At theWorld Cup finalsin June 2010, Argentina started by winning 10 againstNigeria, and then defeatedSouth Koreaby 41, with a hat-trick fromGonzalo Higuain.[119][120]In the final match of the group stage Argentina won 20 againstGreeceto win their the group and advance to a second round meeting withMexico.[121]After defeating Mexico 31, Argentina was in turn routed byGermany, 40 in thequarter finalsto go out of the competition.[122]Argentinawas ranked 5thin the tournament. After the defeat to Germany Maradona admitted that he was considering his future as Argentina coach, "I may leave tomorrow," he said.[123]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 theWorld Cup,[124]however on 27 July the AFA announced that its board had unanimously decided not to renew his contract.[125]Afterwards on 29 July 2010, Maradona claimed that AFA presidentJulio Grondonaand director of national teamsCarlos Bilardohad "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".[126]Personal life[edit]Family[edit]

Having returned to his Catholic faith, Maradona donated a signed Argentina jersey toPope Francis, which is located in one of theVatican MuseumsBorn to a Roman Catholic family, his parents are Diego Maradona Senior and Dalma Salvadora Franco. His father is ofItalianandNative Amerindianorigin[19][21][127]and his mother is of Spanish andCroatianorigin.[20]Maradona married long-time fiance Claudia Villafae 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.[128]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 Villafae 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[129]and were seen together on other occasions, including the Argentina games during2006 World Cup.During the divorce proceedings, Maradona admitted he is the father ofDiego 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.[130]Sinagra is now a footballer playing in Italy.[131]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.[132][133]His younger daughter, Giannina, marriedManchester CitystrikerSergio Agero, with whom she has a son, Benjamin, born in Madrid on 19 February 2009. In January 2013, Agero and Giannina separated.[134]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.[135]Drug abuse and health issues[edit]

Maradona after gaining weight, March 2005From the mid-1980s until 2004 Diego Maradona was addicted tococaine. He allegedly began using the drug in Barcelona in 1983.[136]By the time he was playing for Napoli he had a regular addiction, which began to interfere with his ability to play football.[137]Over the years following his retirement his health seriously deteriorated. On 4 January 2000, while vacationing inPunta 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 adrug rehabplan.On 18 April 2004, doctors reported that Maradona had suffered a majormyocardial infarctionfollowing 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 therespiratoron 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 fromobesity(at one point weighing 280lb (127kg)) from the end of his playing career until undergoinggastric bypass surgeryin a clinic inCartagena 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.[138]When Maradona resumed public appearances shortly thereafter, he displayed a notably thinner figure.[139]On 29 March 2007, Maradona was readmitted to a hospital in Buenos Aires. He was treated forhepatitisand effects ofalcohol abuse, and was released on 11 April, but re-admitted two days later.[140]In the following days there were constant rumors about his health, including three false claims of his death within a month.[141]After transfer to a psychiatric clinic specialising in alcohol-related problems, he was discharged on 7 May.[142]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.[143]Political views[edit]

Maradona presents a signed shirt to the former President of ArgentinaNstor Kirchnerin December 2007Only in recent years, Maradona has shown sympathy toleft-wingideologies. Before that he had been vocal in his support ofneoliberalArgentine PresidentCarlos Menem, and hisHarvard University-educated economistDomingo Cavallo. He became friends with Cuban leaderFidel Castrowhile receiving treatment on the island, with Castro stating; "Diego is a great friend and very noble too. Theres also no question hes a wonderful athlete and has maintained a friendship with Cuba to no material gain of his own.[76]He has a portrait of Castrotattooedon his left leg and one of Fidel's second in command, fellow ArgentineChe Guevaraon his right arm.[144]In his autobiography,El Diego, he dedicated the book to various people, including Castro, he wrote "To Fidel Castro and, through him, all theCuban people".[145]

Maradona and President ofBolivia,Evo Morales, at the funeral of former President of ArgentinaNstor Kirchner, husband of current PresidentCristina Kirchner, 28 October 2010Maradona was also a supporter of former Venezuelan PresidentHugo Chvez. In 2005 he visited Venezuela with the specific aim of meeting Chvez, who received him inMiraflores. After this meeting Maradona claimed that he had come with the aim of meeting a "great man" ("un grande" in Spanish) but he had met instead a gigantic man ("un gigante" in Spanish, meaning he was more than great). "I believe in Chvez, I amChavista. Everything Fidel does, everything Chvez does, for me is the best."[146]Maradona was the guest of honor of Chvez at the opening game of the2007 Copa Amricaheld in Venezuela.[147]He has declared his opposition to what he identifies asimperialism, notably during the 2005Summit of the AmericasinMar del Plata, Argentina. There he protestedGeorge W. Bush's presence in Argentina, wearing a T-shirt labeled "STOP BUSH" (with the "s" in "Bush" being replaced with aswastika) and referring to Bush as "human garbage".[148][149]In August 2007, Maradona went further, making an appearance on Chvez's weekly television showAlo Presidenteand saying: "I hate everything that comes from the United States. I hate it with all my strength."[150]In December 2008, Maradona expressed admiration for Bush's successor, President-electBarack Obama, and held great expectations for him.[103]"I asked myself, Who is this man? Who is this footballing magician, thisSex Pistolof international football, this cocaine victim who kicked the habit, looked likeFalstaffand was as weak as spaghetti? IfAndy Warholhad still been alive, he would have definitely put Maradona alongsideMarilyn MonroeandMao Tse-Tung. Im convinced that if he hadnt been a footballer, hed've become a revolutionary."Emir Kusturica, film director.[76]With his poor shanty town upbringing, Maradona has cultivated a man of the people persona.[151]During a meeting withPope John Paul IIat theVaticanin 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!".[151]In September 2014 Maradona met withPope Francisin 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".[152]In December 2007, Maradona presented a signed shirt with a message of support to the people ofIran: it is displayed in the Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs' museum.[153]In April 2013, Maradona visited the tomb of Hugo Chvez and urged Venezuelans to elect the late leader's designated successor,Nicols Maduro, to continue the socialist leader's legacy; "Continue the struggle," Maradona said on television.[154]Maradona attended Maduro's final campaign rally in Caracas, signing footballs and kicking them to the crowd, and presented Maduro with an Argentina jersey.[154]Having visited Chvez's tomb with Maradona, Maduro said; "Speaking with Diego was very emotional because comandante Chvez also loved him very much".[154]Financial problems[edit]In March 2009 Italian officials announced that Maradona still owed the Italian government 37million in taxes; 23.5million 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.[155][156]In popular culture[edit]

Religious display of Maradona in Naples, ItalyThe American newspaperThe Houston Chroniclewrote about Maradona: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 haveEl Diego, idol to the millions who call him D10S, a mashup of his playing number and the Spanish word for God.[157]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 teammateJorge Valdanosaid: "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".[158]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."[158]

Three icons of Argentina statues; tango pioneerCarlos Gardel, political leaderEva Pern, and Maradona.Ever since 1986, it is common for Argentines abroad to hear Maradona's name as a token of recognition, even in remote places.[32]TheTartan Armysing a version of theHokey Cokeyin honour of theHand of God goalagainst England.[159]In Argentina, Maradona is often talked about in terms reserved for legends. In the Argentine filmEl Hijo de la Novia("Son of the Bride"), somebody who impersonates aCatholic priestsays to a bar patron: "they idolized him and then crucified him". When a friend scolds him for taking the prank too far, the fake priest retorts: "But I was talking about Maradona". He's the subject of the filmEl Camino de San Diego, though he himself only appears in archive footage.

Renaissance interpretation of Maradona's "Hand of God" goal in graffiti, Helsinki, FinlandMaradona was included in manycameosin the Argentine comic bookEl Cazador de Aventuras. After the closing of it, the authors started a new short-lived comic book titled "El Die", using Maradona as the main character. Maradona has had several online Flash games that are entirely dedicated to his legacy.[160]InRosario, Argentina, locals organized theparody religionof the "Church of Maradona". The organization reformulates many elements from Christian tradition, such as Christmas or prayers, reflecting instead details from Maradona. It had 200 founding members, and tens of thousands more have become members via the church's official web site.[161]"Everyone has an opinion on Diego Armando Maradona, and thats 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 PresidentSepp Blatter.[76]Many Argentine artists performed songs in tribute to Diego, like: "Marad" byEl Potro Rodrigo, "Maradona" byAndrs Calamaro, "Para siempre Diego" (Diego forever) byLos Ratones Paranoicos, "Para verte gambetear" (For seeing you dribble) by La Guardia Hereje, "Francotirador" (Sniper) byAttaque 77, "Dale Diez" (C'mon Diez) by Julio Lacarra, "Maradona blues" byCharly Garca, "Santa Maradona" (Saint Maradona) byMano Negra, "La Vida Tombola" byManu Chao, "Qu es Dios?" (What is God?) by Las Pastillas del Abuelo, "Pelusa" (Fluff) by Los Cafres, among others. There are also films, such as:Maradona, La Mano de Dios(Maradona, the Hand of God),El Camino de San Diego(Saint Diego's Road),Amando a Maradona(Loving Maradona),Maradona by Kusturica.[109]By 1982 Maradona had become one of the biggest sports stars in the world and had endorsements with many companies, includingPumaandCoca-Cola, earning him $1.5 million per year in endorsements.[162]In 1982 he featured in a World Cup commercial for Coca-Cola, and a Japanese commercial for Puma.[162]In 2010, Maradona appeared in a commercial for the French fashion houseLouis Vuitton, indulging in a game oftable footballwith fellow legendsPelandZinedine Zidane.[163]Maradona features in the music video to the 2010 World Cup song "Waka Waka" byShakira, with footage shown of him celebrating Argentina winning the 1986 World Cup.[164]A 2006 television commercial for Brazilian soft drinkGuaran Antarcticaportrayed Maradona as a member of the Brazilian national football team, including wearing the yellow jersey and singing the Brazilian national anthem with Brazilian capsKakandRonaldo.[165]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 despiteArgentina and Brazil having a tense rivalry in football, but that he would refuse to wear the shirt ofRiver Plate,Boca Juniors'traditional rival.[166]There is a documented phenomenon of Brazilians being named in honour of Maradona,[167]an example being footballerDiego Costa.[168]Career statistics[edit]Source: Club Statistics, at expertfootball.com[169]Club[edit]SeasonClubLeagueLeagueCupContinentalOtherTotal

AppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals

1976Argentinos JuniorsPrimera Divisin0+110+200132

197737+1213+6004919

197831+422+4003526

197914+1214+12002626

198032+1325+18004543

TotalArgentinos Juniors166116166116

1981Boca JuniorsPrimera Divisin28+1217+11004028

198283BarcelonaLa Liga20115345643523

198384161141332315

TotalBarcelona36229478645838

198485NapoliSerie A3014633617

1985862911223113

1986872910107204117

198788281596203921

1988892691271235019

198990281632503618

1990911863242102610

TotalNapoli18881452925510259115

199293SevillaLa Liga26533298

199394Newell's Old BoysPrimera Divisin5050

199596Boca Juniors11+133+2245

1996970+101020

1997985252

TotalBoca Juniors7035107135

TotalArgentina191151000010242151

Spain622712778648746

Italy18881452925510259115

Career total4912595736321384588312

Other League Cup (Spain) and Super Cup (Italy)[170] His overall average of goals scored per match in domestic club competitions is 0.526.[171]International[edit] Started in 21 consecutive matches for Argentina in fourWorld Cups(1982, 1986, 1990, 1994) Appeared 16 times as captain of the national team, aWorld Cup-record. Scored 8 goals and provided 8 assists in 21 World Cup appearances, including 5 goals and 5 assists in1986 Tied for highest goal-scorer from Argentina in World Cup finals (equaledGuillermo Stbile's mark in 1994; surpassed byGabriel Batistutain 1998) Was fouled 23 times in the match Argentina v Italy in the1982 World Cup, a single-match World Cup-record; Was fouled 50 times during1990 World Cup, a single-tournament World-Cup record.Argentina national team

YearAppsGoals

197730

197810

197983

1980107

198121

1982102

1983--

1984--

1985106

1986107

198764

198831

198970

1990101

1991--

1992--

199340

199472

Total9134

Manager[edit]TeamNatFromToRecord

GWDLWin%

Mandiy de CorrientesJanuary 1994June 1994121568.33

Racing ClubMay 1995November 19951123618.18

ArgentinaNovember 2008July 201019140573.68

Al Wasl FCMay 2011July 201222751031.82

Honours[edit]Player[edit]Club[edit]Argentinos JuniorsRunner-up Argentine Primera Divisin:1980 MetropolitanoBoca JuniorsWinners Argentine Primera Divisin:1981 Metropolitano[172]Runner-up Argentine Primera Divisin:1997 AperturaBarcelonaWinners Copa del Rey:1983[172] Copa de la Liga:1983 Supercopa de Espaa:1983NapoliWinners Serie A(2):1986-87,1989-90[172] Coppa Italia:1986-87[172] UEFA Cup:1988-89[172] Supercoppa Italiana:1990Runner-up Serie A(2):1987-88,1988-89 Coppa Italia:1988-89Country[edit]ArgentinaWinners FIFA World Youth Championship:1979[172] 75th anniversary FIFA Cup: 1979 FIFA World Cup:1986[172] Artemio Franchi Trophy:1993[172]Runner-up South American Youth Championship:1979 FIFA World Cup:1990[172]Individual[edit] Argentine Primera Divisin top scorers(5):1978 Metropolitano,1979 Metropolitano,1979 Nacional,1980 Metropolitano,1980 Nacional[172] FIFA World Youth Championship Golden Ball:1979[172] 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[172] 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[172] FIFA World Cup Silver Shoe:1986 FIFA World CupMost Assists:1986[173] FIFA World Cup All-Star Team(2):1986,1990 Onze d'Or(2): 1986, 1987 Argentine Sports Writers' Sportsman of the Year: 1986 L'quipe 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):198788[172] Coppa Italiatop scorer: 1987-88 FIFA World Cup Bronze Ball:1990[172] Onze d'Or(top player of the year for the Onze Mondial French newspaper): 1994 FIFA World Cup All-Time Team: 1994 South American Team of the Year: 1995[174] Ballon d'Orfor services to football (France Football): 1996[175] World Team of the 20th Century: 1998[172] World Soccer The Greatest Players of the 20th century: (#2) 1999 Argentine Sports Writers' Sportsman of the Century: 1999 Marca Leyenda: 1999 Number10retired byNapolifootball team as a recognition to his contribution to the club: 2000 FIFA Player of the Century: 2000[172] FIFA Goal of the Century(for his second goal against England in 1986 FIFA World Cup quarter-final): 2002[172] FIFA World Cup Dream Team: 2002 Golden Foot: 2003, as football legend[176] FIFA 100 Greatest Living Footballers: 2004[172] Argentine Senate"Domingo Faustino Sarmiento"recognition for lifetime achievement: 2005 World SoccerGreatest XI of all time: 2013 Napoli all-time Top ScorerManager[edit]Club[edit]Al-WaslRunner-up Gulf Club Champions League: 2012See also[edit]Association football portal

Football in Argentina portal

Argentina portal

Biography portal

New Maradona

References[edit]1. Jump up^Maradona tricks and skills videos of the best soccer, football players ever. Football-tricks.com. Retrieved 31 March 2013.2. Jump up^Diego Maradona dominated 1986 World Cup after position switch Jonathan Wilson SI.com. Sportsillustrated.cnn.com (27 May 2010). Retrieved 31 March 2013.3. Jump up^Diego Maradona: The Soccer Guru. The Viewspaper (25 June 2010). Retrieved 31 March 2013.4. Jump up^Diego Maradona Profile of Soccer Player Diego Maradona. Worldsoccer.about.com. Retrieved 31 March 2013.5. Jump up^"The Best of The Best". Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation.com (19 June 2009). Retrieved 31 March 2013.6. Jump up^ "The 100 greatest players of all time"The Football Pantheon, 20 September 20117. Jump up^ "Castrol Debate: Pele Versus Maradona". goal.com, 23 October 20108. Jump up^Other opinions about Maradona as the greatest player can be found at:- "Camacho: Maradona was, is and always will be the best in the world". marca.com, 12 March 2014. "Ruud Gullit: Diego Maradona is the best ever in my opinion". goal.com, 29 July 2012. "Lionel Messi: Diego Maradona is the greatest of all-time". SoccerAnchor, 7 September 2011. "Rummenigge: Maradona better than Pele". The Times of India, 12 November 2008 "Paolo Maldini: Maradona best ever, Ronaldo close second"Paolo Maldini fan page, 21 July 2008. "Gary Lineker: Diego has been the best player without a doubt, better than Pele". givemesport- "Hector Enrique: Messi will never surpass Maradona"goal.com, 3 March 2014.- "Wayne Rooney: Diego Maradona is the greatest player ever"SoccerBlog, 25 March 2006. "Glenn Hoddle: Diego Maradona is the greatest player of all time". SoccerBible, 22 July 2010. "Ryan Giggs: Maradona is the best of all time". tribalfootball, 11 October 2011. "Rio Ferdinand: In my eyes Maradona is the best footballer ever". fifa.com, 7 November 2008. "Mario Kempes: Maradona is absolutely the best". ESPN soccernet, 18 April 2005.- "Luca Caioli: Maradona greatest footballer". Times of India, 30 April 2014. "Aguero: It is disrespectful to compare me to Maradona". Mirro Football, 20 November 2011. "Frank McGarvey: Diego Maradona was world's best player". Daily Record, 30 October 2008. "Gordon Smith: Maradona was the best player I ever saw play the game". Daily Record, 30 October 2008. "Trevor Edwards: Maradona is best"Central Telegraph, 11 April 2012. "Maradonas still number one". The Sun, 29 April 2011. "Considered by many as the greatest football player to have ever walked the face of the earth". FIFA.com Sir Alf Ramsey: "Pele had nearly everything. Maradona has everything. He works harder, does more and is more skillful". Hindustan Times, 5 May 2004.9. Jump up^FIFA Player of the Century. touri.com10. Jump up^"Maradona or Pele?". CNN Sports Illustrated, 10 December 2000. Retrieved 13 March 201311. Jump up^"The history of the world transfer record". BBC News. Retrieved 1 May 201412. ^Jump up to:ab"La nuova vita del Pibe de Oro Maradona ct dell'Argentina". la Repubblica. Retrieved3 February2015.13. ^Jump up to:ab"Diego Maradona goal voted the FIFA World Cup Goal of the Century". FIFA (30 May 2002). Retrieved 13 March 201314. Jump up^"Diego Maradona debuta hoy como asesor espiritual de Deportivo Riestra", Tlam, 19 August 201315. Jump up^"Maradona celebrates first victory as Riestra 'spiritual coach'",The Buenos Aires Herald, 19 August 201316. Jump up^"Maradona motiv y Riestra gan",Clarn, 19 August 201317. Jump up^"Diego Maradona - I was there". FIFA.com. Retrieved 22 April 201418. Jump up^The greatest rags-to-riches stories everJames Dart, Paul Doyle and Jon Hill, 12 April 2006. Retrieved 18 August 2006.19. ^Jump up to:abcUki Goi (23 October 2009)."Argentina's Maradona: A Soccer God Turned Mortal".Time. Retrieved18 September2013.he can claim both Italian and indigenous ancestry20. ^Jump up to:ab"MARADONA HRVAT: Maradona je iz Praputnjaka, a ne s Korule". (in Croatian). Hrsvijet. Retrieved 24 June 201421. ^Jump up to:abBurns, Jimmy (2011).Maradona: The Hand of God.Bloomsbury Publishing. p.63.ISBN9781408827727. Retrieved2 October2013.Maradona a poor Argentine of Italian ancestry22. Jump up^"Behind the Name: Meaning, Origin and History of the Surname Maradona". surnames.behindthename.com.23. Jump up^The Hand of God. Retrieved 18 August 2006.24. Jump up^"Maradona hails 'inspirational' Best". RTE Sport. Retrieved 9 September 201325. Jump up^"Football's Greatest - Rivelino". Pitch International LLP. 2012. Retrieved 8 May 201426. ^Jump up to:abcdA SUMMARY OF MARADONA's LIFE, vivadiego.com. Retrieved 18 August 2006.27. Jump up^"Fun Trivia: Diego Maradona". Trivia. Retrieved 24 April 201428. ^Jump up to:ab"The Albiceleste underdog who conquered the world". FIFA.com Retrieved 16 May 201429. Jump up^Jimmy Burns (2009). "Barca: A People's Passion". p. 251. Bloomsbury Publishing, 200930. ^Jump up to:ab"Real Madrid 0 Barcelona 3: Bernabeu forced to pay homage as Ronaldinho soars above the galacticos". The Independent. Retrieved 29 November 201331. Jump up^"30 years since Maradona stunned the Santiago Bernabu". FC Barcelona. Retrieved 2 October 201432. ^Jump up to:ab"That's one hell of a diet, Diego". 8 January 2006. Guardian Newspapers Limited. Retrieved 13 August 2006.33. ^Jump up to:abcd"Diego Maradona gives hot, hot heat to The Butcher of Bilbao". The Guardian. 24 April 2015.34. ^Jump up to:abLuca Caioli (2013). "Messi: The Inside Story of the Boy Who Became a Legend"35. ^Jump up to:abJimmy Burns. (2011). "Maradona: The Hand of God". pp.121-122. A&C Black36. Jump up^"Backgrounder: Diego Maradona". CBC Sports. Retrieved 14 December 201237. Jump up^"Snapshot: Maradona is toast of the town after signing for Napoli". The Times. Retrieved 30 March 201338. Jump up^"Cristiano Ronaldo welcomed by 80,000 fans at Real Madrid unveiling".The Guardian(London). 6 July 2009. Retrieved6 July2009.39. ^Jump up to:abcdefghij"Maradona brings success to Napoli". ESPN. Retrieved 16 May 201440. Jump up^Clemente A. Lisi (2011). "A History of the World Cup: 1930-2010". p. 193. Scarecrow Press41. Jump up^"Diego Maradona Has Appealed to European Union". The Guardian. Retrieved 21 May 201442. Jump up^"Franco Baresi: One-on-One". Four Four Two. Retrieved 19 January 201543. Jump up^"Maradona and Ronaldo Best Ever". Goal.com. Retrieved 7 February 201544. Jump up^"SPORTS PEOPLE; Maradona Fined".The New York Times. 13 January 1991. Retrieved1 April2010.45. Jump up^May, John (19 April 2004)."Maradona's fall from grace". BBC News. Retrieved1 April2010.46. Jump up^"After the fall: The World Cup dream is over for Diego Maradona, but there may be worse to come a little matter of pounds 500,000-worth of smuggled cocaine, and the Naples mafia. Paul Greengrass and Toby Follett report".The Independent(London). 5 July 1994. Retrieved1 April2010.47. Jump up^"Diego Maradona: 1961(?): Athlete The Infamous "hand Of God" Goal". Biography.jrank.org. Retrieved12 June2010.48. Jump up^"Camorra, arrestato il boss amico di Maradona".Corriere della Sera. 24 December 2009. Retrieved12 June2010.49. Jump up^Telander, Rick (14 January 2002)."At his best, Diego Maradona can be as graceful as Michael Jordan. At his worst, he can be as disgraceful as John McEnroe. The question is, which Maradona will show for the World Cup?". CNN.50. Jump up^Landolina, Salvatore. (14 January 2011)Diego Maradona Backs Ezequiel Lavezzi To Earn Napoli Number 10 Shirt. Goal.com. Retrieved 31 March 2013.51. Jump up^"Sport in Short: Football Sport".The Independent(UK). 15 July 1992. Retrieved6 May2011.52. Jump up^"Maradona a main contender to replace Villas-Boas at Tottenham". Yahoo. Retrieved 24 June 201453. Jump up^"Diego Maradona Biography". Encyclopaedia Britannica. Retrieved 20 March 201554. Jump up^MacPherson, Graeme (30 October 2008).Maradona to receive Hampden welcome,The Herald.55. Jump up^"FIFA Under-20 World Championships Awards". RSSSF. Retrieved 20 March 201556. Jump up^1982 Story of Spain '82. Planet World Cup. Retrieved 31 March 2013.57. Jump up^Brewin, John (9 June 2010)"Diego Maradona: God's gift". ESPN Soccernet.58. Jump up^"Castrol World Cup Legends: Diego Maradona 1986". Goal.com (10 June 2010). Retrieved 14 December 201259. ^Jump up to:ab"World Cup 1986". ESPN. Retrieved 24 April 201460. Jump up^"1986 FIFA World Cup Mexico: Italy Argentina". FIFA. Retrieved 14 December 201261. ^Jump up to:ab"Maradona lights up the world with a helping hand". FIFA.com. Retrieved 13 May 201462. Jump up^McCarthy, David (18 November 2008).Terry Butcher: Maradona robbed England of World Cup glory.Daily Record.63. Jump up^Motson, John(2006).Motson's World Cup Extravaganza. p.103. Robson, 200664. Jump up^"Top 10 World Cup goals". The Telegraph. Retrieved 19 August 201465. Jump up^Clive Gammon (7 July 1986)."Tango Argentino!". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved 13 May 201466. Jump up^Castrol Worldcup Statistics Diego Maradona. Castrolfootball.com. Retrieved 31 March 2013.67. ^Jump up to:abcDarby, James. (10 June 2010)WorldCup Legends: Maradona. Goal.com. Retrieved 31 March 2013.68. Jump up^Argentina's Road to the World TitleFIFA. page 4369. Jump up^"Adidas Golden Ball Winners" from. FIFA.com (14 November 2012). Retrieved 31 March 2013.70. ^Jump up to:abPel and Maradona two very different number tens. FIFA.com (25 January 2001). Retrieved 31 March 2013.71. Jump up^Messis Goal Better Than Maradona's Goal of the Century?worldrec.info. Retrieved 290109.72. ^Jump up to:ab"World Cup 1990".ESPN. Retrieved 24 April 201473. Jump up^Hylands, Alan.Diego Maradona, about.com.74. Jump up^"Argentina's tribute to Maradona". BBC. Retrieved 14 May 201475. ^Jump up to:ab"Diego Maradona - I was there". FIFA.com. Retrieved 23 June 201476. ^Jump up to:abcd"Maradona, as others see him". FIFA.com. Retrieved 17 November 201377. Jump up^David Patrick Houghton (2008). "Political Psychology: Situations, Individuals, and Cases". p. 43. Routledge, 200878. Jump up^Susan Ratcliffe (2001). "People on People: The Oxford Dictionary of Biographical Quotations". p. 234. Oxford University Press, 200179. Jump up^"From spectacular to scandalous: Maradona's World Cup legacy". ESPN. Retrieved 14 May 201480. Jump up^"Messi's a world treasure says Johan Cruyff". The Mirror. Retrieved 1 August 201481. Jump up^Maradona's World Cup magic. BBC Sport (19 April 2004). Retrieved 18 August 2006.82. Jump up^"World Cups top 100 footballers: how to choose between Pel and Maradona?". The Guardian. Retrieved 24 June 201483. Jump up^Milile Kraba (2010). "The Story Has Been Told". p. 138. Xlibris Corporation,84. Jump up^John H Kerr (2004). "Motivation And Emotion In Sport". p. 2. Taylor & Francis,85. Jump up^"Free kick expert Maradona leads by example". Reuters. Retrieved 19 May 201486. Jump up^"El maestro Maradona: football legend to be Argentina manager". The Guardian. Retrieved 19 May 201487. Jump up^Geoff Tibballs (2003). "Great Sporting Scandals". p. 227. Robson, 200388. Jump up^"Maradona scores $1800-a-seat ticket sales, proving the bad boys of sport are hard to match". Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 19 May 201489. Jump up^"13 June 1990: Diego Maradona's other World Cup handball". The Guardian. Retrieved 3 February 201590. Jump up^"World Cup Legends #1: Diego Maradona". Esquire. Retrieved 3 February 201591. Jump up^"Argentina coach Diego Maradona writes another chapter in a turbulent life". The Telegraph. Retrieved 3 February 201592. Jump up^Taylor, Chris (9 November 2005)."A Big Hand". The Guardian. Retrieved 3 February 201593. Jump up^Jimmy Burns (2011). "Maradona: The Hand of God". p. 17. A&C Black94. Jump up^Brian Glanville (2010). "The Story of the World Cup: The Essential Companion to South Africa 2010". p. 320. Faber & Faber95. Jump up^Interview with Jorge Valdano. el-mundo.es (2001) (in Spanish).96. Jump up^Maradona 'tells all' in autobiography. Associated Press. 20 December 2000.97. Jump up^Garcia, Anne-Marie (21 February 2002)Maradona donates royalties from Cuban edition of his book. granma.cu.98. Jump up^"Maradona or Pele?". CNN Sports Illustrated. Retrieved 26 June 201499. Jump up^IFFHS' Century Elections. Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation.com (30 January 2000). Retrieved 31 March 2013.100. Jump up^Argentina can't retire Maradona's shirtESPNsoccernet.com, 26 May 2002. Retrieved 18 August 2006.101. Jump up^Hamilton, Fiona (22 March 2010)."The ten greatest World Cup playersbr No 1 Diego Maradona Argentina".The Times(London). Retrieved1 April2010.102. Jump up^White, Duncan (29 October 2011). "Jay Bothroyd puts good times with playboy Saadi Gaddafi, son of dead Libya tyrant Colonel Gaddafi, behind him".National Post. Retrieved 31 March 2012103. ^Jump up to:ab"Maradona sends Calcutta into frenzy". BBC. Retrieved 26 June 2014104. Jump up^'El Diez emprende dos nuevos desafos',ESPN Deportes(28 July 2005). Retrieved 17 August 2005.105. Jump up^"Roberto Durn estuvo con Diego Maradona". Prensa.com. Retrieved 2 September 2014106. Jump up^"Tyson Must Return to Brazil for Trial". Washington Post. Retrieved 13 May 2014107. Jump up^"Maradona scores but England win UNICEF match", Yahoo!-FIFA108. Jump up^'El Diego quits his beloved Boca',FIFA News(26 August 2006). Retrieved 26 August 2006[dead link].109. ^Jump up to:ab"Maradona by Kusturica".. The Independent. Retrieved 2 June 2014110. Jump up^"Interreligious Match for Peace: 1/9/2014". Retrieved1 September2014.111. ^Jump up to:ab"Il Papa a Maradona: "Ti aspettavo". Diego show con Baggio, poi si infuria: "Icardi non doveva giocare"".La Gazzetta dello Sport. Retrieved1 September2014.112. Jump up^"Diego Maradona fired as Al Wasl coach".San Francisco Chronicle. 10 July 2012. Retrieved10 July2012.113. Jump up^"Maradona wants to hold talks to save Al Wasl job".The Times Of India. 12 July 2012.114. Jump up^Campbell, Andy (19 November 2008)."Scotland 01 Argentina". BBC Sport. Retrieved7 July2010.115. Jump up^"Last-gasp Palermo wins it in the rain". ESPN. 10 October 2009. Retrieved15 October2009.116. Jump up^"Late winner puts Argentina in World Cup finals". CNN. 14 October 2009. Retrieved15 October2009.117. Jump up^World Cup 2010 (15 October 2009)."Diego Maradona Tells Press To 'Suck It' After Argentina Triumph Over Uruguay". Goal.com. Retrieved12 June2010.118. Jump up^"Maradona hit with two-month ban". London: BBC Sport. 15 November 2009. Retrieved15 November2009.119. Jump up^Dawkes, Phil (12 June 2010)."Argentina 10 Nigeria". BBC Sport. Retrieved17 June2010.120. Jump up^Stevenson, Jonathan (17 June 2010)."Argentina 41 South Korea". BBC Sport. Retrieved17 June2010.121. Jump up^"Maradona's men in top spot".ESPNsoccernet(ESPN). 22 June 2010. Retrieved23 June2010.122. Jump up^Longman, Jer (3 June 2010)."Germany Shows Its Strength".The New York Times. Retrieved4 June2010.123. Jump up^"Sad Maradona considers quitting". BBC Sport. 4 July 2010. Retrieved15 July2010.124. Jump up^"Argentina to offer Diego Maradona new four-year deal". BBC Sport. 15 July 2010. Retrieved15 July2010.125. Jump up^"Diego Maradona departs as manager of Argentina".The Guardian(London).Press Association. 27 July 2010. Retrieved27 July2010.126. Jump up^"'Betrayed' Maradona lashes out at AFA".ESPNsoccernet(ESPN). 29 July 2010. Retrieved29 July2010.127. Jump up^"True Stories - Maradona 1/7".1995 UK TV Documentary on Diego Maradona. YouTube. 12 January 2009. Retrieved4 July2010.his father of Native Indian extraction128. Jump up^La Liga (19 February 2009)."Diego Maradona Becomes A Grandfather As Sergio Aguero Junior Is Born". Goal.com. Retrieved12 June2010.129. Jump up^ESPN Deportes "Llega en son de paz". Retrieved 19 May 2006130. Jump up^ESPN Deportes "El amor al dolo". Retrieved 19 May 2006131. Jump up^"Diego Maradona Junior". Resport.it. Retrieved12 June2010.132. Jump up^Clarin.com "Haba una vez... un elenco para la seleccin". Retrieved 19 May 2006133. Jump up^Clarin.com "Dalma Maradona: diario de una princesa". Retrieved 19 May 2006134. Jump up^"Aguero is a wimp! Maradona blasts City star after split from his daughter turns nasty". Daily Mail. Retrieved 28 November 2013135. Jump up^"The new Diego! Maradona names fifth child after himself". Daily Mail. Retrieved 28 June 2014136. Jump up^Maradona's fall from graceJohn May, 19 April 2004, BBC Sport. Retrieved 18 August 2006.137. Jump up^"The New York Times: SOCCER; Maradona Sentenced".AP via New York Times. 1991-09-19.138. Jump up^"Maradona has surgery on stomach". BBC. 6 March 2005. Retrieved28 June2010.139. Jump up^Associated Press."Maradona's gastric bypass inspires obese Colombians". ESPN. Retrieved28 June2010.140. Jump up^"Maradona treated for alcoholism". BBC. Retrieved 1 February 2015141. Jump up^Calegari, Rodrigo (26 April 2007)."Malas lenguas".Diario Ol(Spanish)142. Jump up^"Maradona leaves alcoholism clinic". BBC News. 7 May 2007. Retrieved1 April2010.143. Jump up^"Maradona says he no longer drinks". ESPNsoccernet (8 May 2007).144. Jump up^Taylor, Chris (6 November 2005)."A big hand".The Observer(UK). Retrieved19 June2006.145. Jump up^Maradona, Diego; Daniel Arcucci; Ernesto Cherquis Bialo (2005).El Diego. London: Yellow Jersey.ISBN0-224-07190-4.146. Jump up^Carroll, Rory (20 August 2007)."Maradona and Chvez laugh over 'hand of god' goal on chat show".The Guardian(UK). Retrieved20 August2007.147. Jump up^"Maradona fancies a Copa". Metro. Retrieved 21 May 1014148. Jump up^"Chvez and Maradona Lead Massive Rebuke of Bush".The Nation. 5 November 2005. Retrieved20 June2006.149. Jump up^"Image of Maradona wearing the STOP BUH shirt". Retrieved12 June2010.150. Jump up^"Ex-soccer star Maradona tells Chavez he hates U.S.". Reuters. 19 August 2007. Retrieved20 August2007.151. ^Jump up to:ab"Football awaits an audience with Italy and Argentina". Eurosport. Retrieved 2 September 2014152. Jump up^"Diego Maradona meets Pope Francis in Rome". Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 2 September 2014153. Jump up^Naughton, Philippe (3 April 2008)."Diego Maradona makes a fan of President Ahmadinejad of Iran".The Sunday Times(London). Retrieved28 June2010.154. ^Jump up to:abc"Diego Maradona visits Hugo Chavez tomb". NDTV. Retrieved 29 November 2013155. Jump up^Police seize Maradona's earringsBBC News, 19 September 2009156. Jump up^Maradona still owes 37 million euros, taxman says. wsn.com (28 March 2009).157. Jump up^Bensinger, Ken (8 June 2010)Maradona puts his Legacy on the Line at the World Cup,The Houston Chronicle.158. ^Jump up to:ab"Es el sucesor natural?". ESPN Deportes. (Ed, 29 June 2014). Retrieved 3 July 2014159. Jump up^Shields, Tom (9 April 2006).LET'S RAISE A GLASS TO MARADONA TOM SHIELDS SPORT DIARY,Sunday Herald.160. Jump up^"Maradona Soccer Game". Retrieved 13 April 2013.161. Jump up^"Maradona in intensive care". BBC Sport (28 April 2004). Retrieved 18 August 2006.162. ^Jump up to:abJimmy Burns (2011) "Maradona: The Hand of God". pp. 71, 84. A&C Black163. Jump up^"Maradona, Pel and Zidane for Vuitton". GQ Magazine. Retrieved 14 May 2014164. Jump up^"Shakira launches clip 'Waka Waka' Cup official music"(in Portuguese). Reforma. 2010-06-08. Retrieved2010-06-09.165. Jump up^"ARCHIVO 10 , Diego Maradona Videos de publicidades". Archivo10.com. Retrieved6 May2011.166. Jump up^"Maradona diz no se arrepender de usar camisa do Brasil na TV".AdNews.com.br. 30 April 2006.167. Jump up^"World Cup 2014: Brazilians named after Maradona and Lineker".BBC Sport. 23 June 2014. Retrieved1 February2015.168. Jump up^Burt, Jason (31 January 2015)."Diego Costa: I take things to limit but I did nothing wrong".The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved31 January2015.169. Jump up^Club Statistics. expertfootball.com (archived)170. Jump up^"Diego Armando Maradona International Appearances". Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation. Retrieved6 May2011.171. Jump up^"Special Debate: Lionel Messi vs Diego Maradona So Who Is Better?". Goal.com. Retrieved 19 November 2013172. ^Jump up to:abcdefghijklmnopqrs"The Albiceleste underdog who conquered the world". FIFA. Retrieved27 February2015.173. Jump up^"World Cup 1986 Statistics". Planetworldcup. Retrieved28 February2015.174. Jump up^"South American Team of the Year". 16 January 2009. Retrieved10 March2015.175. Jump up^"Maradona receives honorary award". BBC. Retrieved28 February2015.176. Jump up^"Golden Foot Diego Armando Maradona". Goldenfoot.com. Retrieved1 March2015.External links[edit]Wikimedia Commons has media related toDiego Maradona.

Official website Works by or about Diego Maradonain libraries (WorldCatcatalog)Sporting positions

PrecededbyGiuseppe BruscolottiNapolicaptain19861991SucceededbyCiro Ferrara

PrecededbyDaniel PassarellaArgentinacaptain19861994SucceededbyMarcelo Espina

[show]Awards

[show]Argentina squads

[show]Diego Maradona managerial positions

Authority control WorldCat VIAF:34444144 LCCN:n90719108 ISNI:0000 0001 0886 1081 GND:11916938X SUDOC:031334342 BNF:cb137501828(data) NDL:00621061 ICCU:IT\ICCU\BVEV\063906

Categories: 1982 FIFA World Cup players 1986 FIFA World Cup players 1990 FIFA World Cup players 1994 FIFA World Cup players 1979 Copa Amrica players 1987 Copa Amrica players 1989 Copa Amrica players Argentine expatriate sportspeople in Italy Argentine expatriate sportspeople in Spain Argentina youth international footballers Argentina international footballers Argentina national football team managers Argentine football managers Argentine footballers Argentine people of indigenous peoples descent Argentine people of Croatian descent Argentine people of Galician descent Argentine people of Italian descent Argentine sportspeople in doping cases Argentinos Juniors footballers Association football midfielders Boca Juniors footballers Deified people Doping cases in association football Expatriate footballers in Italy Expatriate footballers in Spain Expatriate football managers in the United Arab Emirates FC Barcelona players FIFA 100 FIFA World Cup-winning captains FIFA World Cup-winning players 2010 FIFA World Cup managers Al Wasl FC managers Indigenous sportspeople of the Americas La Liga players Newell's Old Boys footballers People from Lans People from Lomas de Zamora Partido Racing Club de Avellaneda managers S.S.C. Napoli players Serie A players Sevilla FC players Textil Mandiy managers Television talk show hosts World Soccer Magazine World Player of the Year winners Argentine Primera Divisin players 1960 births Living people Argentine expatriate footballers South American Footballer of the Year winners Argentine Roman Catholics People convicted of drug offenses Argentine expatriates in the United Arab EmiratesNavigation menu Create account Log in Article Talk Read Edit View historyTop of Form

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