Biography
Diego Armando Maradona (30 October 1960 – 25 November 2020) was an Argentine professional footballer and manager. Considered one of the greatest players in football history, he was a joint recipient of the FIFA Player of the 20th Century award. Maradona's exceptional vision, passing, ball control, and dribbling, combined with his small stature and low centre of gravity, gave him superior maneuverability on the field. His leadership and impact significantly influenced his team's performance, often drawing particular attention from opponents. Besides his creativity, he was known for his goal-scoring ability and expertise in free kicks. Nicknamed "El Pibe de Oro" ("The Golden Boy") early in his career, Maradona also faced personal challenges, including drug-related bans in 1991 and 1994.
Playing as an advanced playmaker in the traditional number 10 role, Maradona twice broke the world transfer fee record: first in 1982 with his move to Barcelona for £5 million, then in 1984 when transferring to Napoli for £6.9 million. His club career included stints at Argentinos Juniors, Boca Juniors, Barcelona, Napoli, Sevilla, and Newell's Old Boys, with his tenure at Napoli being the most celebrated.
Internationally, Maradona earned 91 caps for Argentina, scoring 34 goals. He participated in four FIFA World Cups, captaining Argentina to victory in the 1986 tournament in Mexico and winning the Golden Ball as the best player. In the 1986 quarter-final against England, he scored two iconic goals: the controversial "Hand of God" goal and the "Goal of the Century," a 60-meter dribble past five defenders.
Maradona took over as head coach of Argentina's national team in November 2008, leading them through the 2010 World Cup before departing post-tournament. He then managed UAE’s Al Wasl during the 2011–12 season and later coached Fujairah in 2017. In May 2018, he became chairman of Belarusian club Dynamo Brest, starting in July. Between September 2018 and June 2019, he managed Mexican side Dorados. From September 2019 until his passing in November 2020, he was the coach of Argentine Primera División club Gimnasia de La Plata.
From Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia.
