Key Highlights of His Career
1986 FIFA World Cup: Maradona is most famous for captaining the Argentine national team to victory in the 1986 World Cup in Mexico. His performance in this tournament is considered one of the most dominant individual displays in World Cup history.
"Hand of God" Goal: In the quarter-final against England, he scored a highly controversial goal using his hand, which he famously attributed to "a little with the head of Maradona and a little with the hand of God."
"Goal of the Century": Just minutes after the "Hand of God" goal, he scored his second, dribbling past five English players before slotting the ball into the net. This was later voted the "Goal of the Century.
Club Career:
He played for several clubs, including Boca Juniors in Argentina and Barcelona in Spain.
His most legendary period at a club was with S.S.C. Napoli in Italy (1984–1991). He led the team to their only two Serie A league titles in the club's history, along with other trophies, cementing his status as an idol in the city of Naples.
Playing Style: Maradona was a brilliant attacking midfielder/second striker. Despite his relatively short stature (5 ft 5 in or 1.65 m), he was known for his vision, passing, ball control, and exceptional dribbling skills. He had an incredible ability to maneuver the ball as if it were "tied to his boots."
Later Life and Legacy
Controversies: His career was marked by numerous controversies, including issues with drug and alcohol abuse, which led to suspensions and affected his later playing years.
Management: He had a career in coaching and managed the Argentine national team during the 2010 World Cup.
Legacy: Maradona remains a mythical figure and a beloved national hero in Argentina, representing a person who rose from humble, poor beginnings in the slum of Villa Fiorito to reach global stardom. He was named one of the two joint winners of the FIFA Player of the 20th Century award (alongside Pelé).
Death: He died on November 25, 2020, at the age of 60, in his home in Argentina.
