Diego Maradona

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

Maradona played for Argentinos Juniors, Boca Juniors, Barcelona, Napoli, Sevilla and Newell's Old Boys during his club career. He led Napoli to their first Serie A league title in 1986–87, and their second three years later. He was the first player to set the world record transfer fee twice: in 1982 when he transferred to Barcelona for £5 million, and in 1984 when he moved to Napoli for £6.9 million. In his international career with Argentina, Maradona earned 91 caps and scored 34 goals. He played in four editions of the FIFA World Cup, including the 1986 World Cup, where he led Argentina to victory as captain and won the Golden Ball as the tournament's best player. In the 1986 World Cup quarter final, he scored both goals in a 2–1 victory over England. His first goal was an unpenalized handling foul known as the "Hand of God", while his second goal came after a 60-metre (66 yd) dribble past five England players; it was voted "Goal of the Century" by FIFA.com voters in 2002.

In Their Own Story

Maradona was born on 30 October 1960 at the Policlínico Evita Hospital in Lanús, Buenos Aires Province, to a poor Roman Catholic family. He was raised in Villa Fiorito, a shantytown on the southern outskirts of Buenos Aires. He received his first football as a gift at age three and quickly became devoted to the game. At age eight, he was spotted by a talent scout while playing at Estrella Roja, his local club. In March 1969, Maradona was recommended to Los Cebollitas (The Little Onions), the junior team of Buenos Aires's Argentinos Juniors club, by his friend Gregorio Carrizo. Coach Francis Gregorio Cornejo later remarked that the eight-year-old Maradona played football like an adult. During 1973 and 1974, Maradona led the Cebollitas to two Evita Tournament victories and 141 undefeated games in a row. On 20 October 1976, Maradona made his professional debut for Argentinos Juniors, ten days before his 16th birthday, becoming the youngest player in the history of the Argentine Primera División. A few minutes into the match against Talleres de Córdoba, Maradona kicked the ball through the legs of Juan Domingo Cabrera, a nutmeg that would become symbolic of his talent. After the game, Maradona said: "That day I felt I had held the sky in my hands."

Reader's Guide

Maradona completed a US$4-million transfer to Boca Juniors in February 1981. He made his debut for Boca on 22 February against Talleres de Córdoba, scoring twice in a 4–1 win. On 10 April, he played his first Superclásico against River Plate at La Bombonera stadium; Boca defeated River 3–0 with Maradona scoring once. Boca won the 1981 league title. In 1982, Maradona transferred to Barcelona for a then-world record fee of £5 million ($7.6 million). During the 1982–83 season, Barcelona won the Copa del Rey and the Copa de la Liga, defeating Real Madrid in both tournaments. Maradona became the first Barcelona player to receive a standing ovation at the Bernabéu. In September 1983, a tackle by Andoni Goikoetxea of Athletic Bilbao caused a fracture in Maradona's left ankle. On 5 July 1984, Maradona was presented as a Napoli player in front of 75,000 spectators at the Stadio San Paolo in Naples, Italy. Led by Maradona, Napoli won their first ever Serie A Championship in 1986–87. The same year, Napoli won the 1987 Coppa Italia final 4–0 on aggregate against Atalanta. Maradona later became the manager of the Argentina national team in November 2008, and departed after the 2010 World Cup. He coached Al Wasl, Fujairah, Dorados, and Gimnasia de La Plata. Maradona died on 25 November 2020.

Did You Know?

• Maradona was one of the two joint winners of the FIFA Player of the Century award, alongside Pelé.
• He was the first player to set the world record transfer fee twice: in 1982 to Barcelona for £5 million, and in 1984 to Napoli for £6.9 million.
• In the 1986 World Cup quarter final, Maradona scored both goals in a 2–1 victory over England — the first was an unpenalized handling foul known as the 'Hand of God', and the second was voted 'Goal of the Century' by FIFA.com voters in 2002.
• Maradona led Napoli to their first ever Serie A Championship in 1986–87, and the same year Napoli won the 1987 Coppa Italia final 4–0 on aggregate against Atalanta.
• As a 12-year-old ball boy, Maradona entertained spectators with his ball skills during the halftime breaks of Argentinos Juniors' first division games.