Top 20 Facts About Argentina Legend Diego Maradona

THEEAGLE compiles 20 of the most fascinating facts about the legendary former Argentina and Napoli player, Diego Maradona.

Diego Maradona was an Argentine professional football player and coach, widely considered to be one of the greatest players of all time. In 2000, he was voted the FIFA Player of the Century, jointly with Pele. Maradona was known for his incredible dribbling skills, speed, and precise ball control, as well as his controversial off-field antics.

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In 2005, Maradona was inducted into the Italian Football Hall of Fame for his contributions to Italian football during his time with Napoli. In that same year, he was also inducted into the International Football Hall of Champions.

In 2008, Maradona became the head coach of the Argentine national football team, leading them to the quarter-finals of the 2010 World Cup. However, his tenure was also marked by controversy, including a suspension for verbally abusing journalists and failing a drug test.

Throughout his career, Maradona won numerous awards and accolades, including two Serie A titles with Napoli, a World Cup championship with Argentina in 1986, and a Golden Ball award for being the best player at the 1986 World Cup. He passed away on November 25, 2020, at the age of 60.

Born in Buenos Aires

Diego Armando Maradona was born on October 30, 1960, in the outskirts of Buenos Aires.

Appeared in four World Cups

He played in four World Cup tournaments for his country.

Argentina appearances

Maradona made 91 appearances for Argentina, scoring 34 goals.

Most appearances as captain in World Cup

Maradona holds the record for making the most number of appearances as captain of any country in a World Cup. He skippered Argentina on 16 occasions.

Club career

He helped Boca Juniors to the league championship in 1982 before making a move to Barcelona. But in 1984, he transferred to Napoli and helped them win their only two Serie A titles to date – in 1987 and 1990.

21 World Cup appearances

In total, he made 21 appearances in World Cup tournaments.

Professional debut

A 15-year-old Maradona made his professional debut on October 20, 1976 for Argentinos Juniors.

International debut

On February 27, 1977, Maradona made his international debut against Hungary at age 16 at the Bombonera stadium in Buenos Aires.

Youth World Cup winner

Maradona was part of the Argentina youth squad that won the 1979 Youth World Cup in Japan.

Tattoos of Che Guevara and Fidel Castro

He had a tattoo of Che Guevara on his arm, and a portrait of Fidel Castro tattooed on his left leg.

Suffered most fouls in a single World Cup game

He also holds the record for the most number of fouls suffered in one game in a World Cup, when Italy fouled him 23 times in the 1982 edition of the tournament.

Suffered most fouls in World Cup

Maradona holds the record for suffering the most number of fouls in a World Cup – 53, during the 1986 World Cup in Mexico.

World Cup Golden Ball winner

Diego also won the Golden Ball for being the tournament’s outstanding player.

‘Hand of God’

Diego scored using his hand in the quarter-final of the 1986 World Cup against England. When he was quizzed about the incident, he said: “The goal was scored a little bit by the hand of God, a little by the head of Maradona.”

Personal life

Maradona married Claudia Villafane on November 7, 1989 in Buenos Aires, but the pair divorced in 2004.

Success with Napoli

He won Serie A with Napoli in 1987, a feat that would be repeated in 1990. He also won the UEFA Cup in 1989.

Argentina manager

He was confirmed as the manager of Argentina’s national team in October 2008.

Managerial debut

Maradona’s managerial debut for Argentina was on November 19, 2008. On that day, his side took on Scotland at Hampden Park and emerged victorious with a 1-0 scoreline.

Maradona’s warmth

In a press conference prior to the first knockout round in the 2010 World Cup, Maradona jumped over the barrier to embrace former Napoli team-mate Salvatore Bagni, a footballer turned pundit. Following the gregarious greeting, Bagni said: “Even knowing him as I have done all these years, Diego always does something to surprise you.”

When Maradona defended Messi

Maradona vehemently defended Lionel Messi after Argentina were eliminated from the 2010 World Cup when he said: “Anyone saying he didn’t have a great World Cup is an idiot.”