Diego Maradona
Diego Armando Maradona is a former Argentina football player, recognised as one of the greatest players in the history of the game. Maradona was born on 30 October 1960 in Lanus and grew up in the shanty town of Villa Fiorito. Jose Trotte, a local resident, commented on his circumstances at the time, “He had nothing else but football. He was not educated, he had no sophistication. He was shirtless and barefooted. He was just this street kid with a gift from God.”
Maradona (nicknames “El Pibe”, The Kid) began his career with Argentinos Juniors, making his debut on 20 October 1976. He scored 116 goals in 166 matches and subsequently joined Boca Juniors in 1981. He still retains a passion for Boca, as he was often seen in the stands in support of the team. After one season with Boca (and winning the Argentinian title), he was transferred to Barcelona for a record £5 million in the aftermath of the 1982 World Cup. However, despite scoring 38 goals in 58 games, he was hampered by injury and conflicts with the board and President. He was eventually sold to Italian side Napoli in 1984. It was here in Naples where he established his legacy in European club football.
Napoli had never been a hugely successful club in Italian football but with the arrival of Maradona, they embarked on a remarkable era of success including two championships (in 1987 and 1990), a UEFA Cup victory (in 1989) and Coppa Italia (1987). He wore the no. 10 shirt for Napoli, which has subsequently been retired in his honour. He did, however, leave Naples in shame when failing an anti-doping test in 1992 (he tested positive for cocaine). On the pitch however, with his chest puffed out and cocky demeanour, Maradona was untouchable. He had a stocky and compact physique which gave him the strength to overcome the more physical side of the game. Because of his diminutive size, he was mobile and quick off the ground, able to burst past opponents. It was this close control and technique that made his dribbling so hard to defend against, especially in close quarters. He was also adept at taking free-kicks and creating goals for his team-mates. Allied to this, his goal-scoring was outstanding as he amassed a total of 321 career goals.
As well as starring for Napoli, Maradona is best known for his international career with Argentina. He made his debut on 27 February 1977 and went on to lead the national team to a World Cup in 1986 and second place in 1990. In 1982, although Maradona scored two goals in the tournament, Argentina were an ageing side and they went out in the second round (with Maradona being sent off against Brazil).
At the 1986 World Cup, Maradona scored five goals as he captained the team to victory in the final against West Germany. In the quarter-final match against England, he was the centre of both sporting controversy and genius. For his first goal he appeared to push the ball into the net with his hand as he jumped with goalkeeper Peter Shilton. He later described this as “a little with the head of Maradona and a little with the hand of God.” For his second, he displayed all his mastery of the football, dribbling past five English players and rounding the keeper to score a goal voted in a FIFA poll as the goal of the century. Maradona also scored a brace in the semi-finals against Belgium and provided the assist for the winning goal in the final as Argentina won 3-2.
Maradona never quite reached the same heights again, although he did play in the next two competitions. In 1990, he played as Argentina were beaten in the final but was sent home in 1994 in disgrace after failing a doping test for ephedrine.
Since his retirement, Maradona has encountered various health problems, with a tendency to put on weight as well as problems relating to alcohol and drug abuse. He suffered a heart attack in 2004 and was admitted to hospital for other illnesses. In 2007, there were three false claims that he had died. However, by May 2007, Maradona had been released and declared that his health was now improving having quit drinking and taking drugs.
Maradona is also known for his political views; he has a friendship with Cuban leader Fidel Castro and has a tattoo of Castro and Che Guevara. He is a firm nationalist, and despite being embraced by the Junta in the early 1980’s, he later condemned that regime. He also met Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez in 2005 and has strongly reiterated his contempt for the United States of America and particularly outgoing President George Bush.
Maradona is now the manager of the Argentinean national side. It will have to be seen if his managerial prowess will match his playing ability. With a young team (see the article on Argentina’s new wonderkids) that has won the Olympics. Can Maradona inspire them to world cup glory in South Africa.
By Ellis Tsang