ডিয়েগ' মাৰাড'না: বিভিন্ন সংশোধনসমূহৰ মাজৰ পাৰ্থক্য

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| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1960|10|30|df=yes}}
| birth_place = লে'নুছ, বুৱেন'ছ আয়াইছ, [[আৰ্জেণ্টিনা]]
| death_date = {{death date and age|2020|11|25|1960|10|30|df=yes}}
| death_place = [[Tigre, Buenos Aires|Tigre]], Buenos Aires, আৰ্জেণ্টিনা
| height = {{height|m=1.65}}
| position = আক্ৰমণাত্মক মিড্‌ফিল্ডাৰ<br>দ্বিতীয় ষ্ট্ৰাইকাৰ<ref name="football-tricks.com">[http://www.football-tricks.com/maradona.html Maradona tricks and skills videos of the best soccer, football players ever]. Football-tricks.com. Retrieved 31 March 2013.</ref><ref>[http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2010/soccer/world-cup-2010/writers/jonathan_wilson/05/27/argentina.1986/index.html Diego Maradona dominated 1986 World Cup after position switch – Jonathan Wilson – SI.com]. Sportsillustrated.cnn.com (27 May 2010). Retrieved 31 March 2013.</ref><ref>[http://theviewspaper.net/diego-maradona-%E2%80%98the-soccer-guru%E2%80%99/ Diego Maradona: ‘The Soccer Guru’]. The Viewspaper (25 June 2010). Retrieved 31 March 2013.</ref><ref>[http://worldsoccer.about.com/od/players/a/Maradonaprofile.htm Diego Maradona – Profile of Soccer Player Diego Maradona]. Worldsoccer.about.com. Retrieved 31 March 2013.</ref><!--Do not delete second striker, it's well referenced-->
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মাৰাড'নাই ২০১১-১২ চিজনত UAE প্ৰ' লীগত [[ডুবাই]] ভিত্তিক ক্লাব আল ৱাচল্‌ক প্ৰশিক্ষণ দিয়ে। ২০১৩ চনৰ আগষ্টত মাৰাড'নাই আৰ্জেণ্টিনাৰ পঞ্চম শ্ৰেণীৰ ক্লাব ডিপ'ৰ্টিভ' ৰিষ্ট্ৰাত "spiritual coach" হিচাপে যোগদান কৰে<ref>[http://www.telam.com.ar/notas/201308/29256-diego-maradona-debuta-hoy-como-asesor-espiritual-de-deportivo-riestra.html "Diego Maradona debuta hoy como asesor espiritual de Deportivo Riestra", Télam, 19 August 2013]</ref> আৰু ১৯ আগষ্টত ছেন মিগুৱেলৰ বিপক্ষে খেলখনত তেওঁ এই নতুন পদৰ আৰম্ভণি কৰে।<ref>[http://www.buenosairesherald.com/article/138778/maradona-celebrates-first-victory-as-riestra-spiritual-coach "Maradona celebrates first victory as Riestra 'spiritual coach'", ''The Buenos Aires Herald'', August 19, 2013]</ref><ref>[http://www.clarin.com/deportes/Maradona-Riestra_0_977302612.html "Maradona motivó y Riestra ganó", ''Clarín'', 19 August 2013]</ref> ২০১৭ চনত মাৰাড'নাই আল-ফুজাইৰা ক্লাবৰ প্ৰশিক্ষক হিচাপে যোগ দিয়ে আৰু চিজনত শেষত সেই পদ ত্যাগ কৰে।<ref name="2017 coach">{{cite news |title=Diego Maradona leaves job in UAE after failing to secure automatic promotion |url=http://www.skysports.com/football/news/11095/11349642/diego-maradona-leaves-job-in-uae-after-failing-to-secure-automatic-promotion |agency=Sky Sports |date=6 May 2018}}</ref> ২০১৮ চনৰ মে' মাহত মাৰড'নাক ৱেলাৰুছৰ ক্লাব ডায়নাম' ব্ৰেস্তৰ অধ্যক্ষ হিচাপে মৰকল কৰা হয়।<ref name="Brest">[https://en.dynamo-brest.by/item/1082-da-diego-s-nami “Yes, Diego is with us!”]. Dynamo Brest. Retrieved 23 July 2018</ref> ২০১৮ চনৰ ছেপ্তেম্বৰৰ পৰা ২০১৯ চনৰ জুনলৈকে মাৰাড'নাই মেক্সিকান ক্লাব ড'লাৰেছক প্ৰশিক্ষণ দিয়ে।<ref name="Mexican team">{{cite news |title=Diego Maradona's 'rebirth' at coaching job at Mexican side Dorados |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-45482066 |accessdate=10 September 2018 |agency=BBC}}</ref>
 
==Early years==
[[File:Maradona torneos evita.jpg|thumb|left|Maradona playing at the Torneos Evita in 1973 (a national sporting event in Argentina) with the "Cebollitas"]]
{{Quote box|width=32%|align=right|quote="When Diego came to Argentinos Juniors for trials, I was really struck by his talent and couldn't believe he was only eight years old. In fact, we asked him for his ID card so we could check it, but he told us he didn't have it on him. We were sure he was having us on because, although he had the physique of a child, he played like an adult. When we discovered he'd been telling us the truth, we decided to devote ourselves purely to him."|source=—Francisco Cornejo, youth coach who discovered Maradona<ref>[https://www.fifa.com/classicfootball/players/player=174732/quotes.html "Diego Maradona – I was there"]. FIFA.com. Retrieved 22 April 2014</ref>}}
 
Diego Armando Maradona was born on 30 October 1960, at the Policlínico (Polyclinic) Evita Hospital in [[Lanús]], Buenos Aires Province, to a poor family that had moved from [[Corrientes Province]]; he was raised in [[Villa Fiorito]], a [[villa miseria|shantytown]] on the southern outskirts of [[Buenos Aires]], Argentina.<ref>[http://football.guardian.co.uk/theknowledge/story/0,,1751019,00.html The greatest rags-to-riches stories ever] James Dart, Paul Doyle and Jon Hill, 12 April 2006. Retrieved 18 August 2006.</ref> He was the first son after four daughters. He has two younger brothers, [[Hugo Maradona|Hugo]] (''el Turco'') and [[Raúl Maradona|Raúl]] (Lalo), both of whom were also professional football players.
His parents were Diego Maradona "Chitoro" (d. 2015) and Dalma Salvadora Franco 'Doña Tota' (1930–2011). They were both born and brought up in the town of [[Esquina, Corrientes|Esquina]] in the north-east province of Corrientes Province, living only two hundred metres from each other on the banks of the [[Corriente River]]. In 1950, they left Esquina and settled in Buenos Aires. At age eight, Maradona was spotted by a talent scout while he was playing in his neighbourhood club Estrella Roja. He became a staple of ''Los Cebollitas'' (The Little Onions), the junior team of Buenos Aires's [[Argentinos Juniors]]. As a 12-year-old ball boy, he amused spectators by showing his wizardry with the ball during the halftime intermissions of first division games.<ref>[http://www.fundus.org/referat.asp?ID=12053 The Hand of God]. Retrieved 18 August 2006.</ref> He named Brazilian playmaker [[Rivellino|Rivelino]] and [[Manchester United F.C.|Manchester United]] winger [[George Best]] among his inspirations growing up.<ref>[http://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/english/2005/1126/198627-bestg/ "Maradona hails 'inspirational' Best"]. RTE Sport. Retrieved 9 September 2013</ref><ref>"Football's Greatest – Rivelino". Pitch International LLP. 2012. Retrieved 8 May 2014</ref>
 
==Club career==
 
===Argentinos Juniors and Boca Juniors===
[[File:Maradona cano debut.jpg|thumb|left|Maradona's most famous [[nutmeg (football)|nutmeg]], the day he debuted in Primera División, 20 October 1976]]
On 20 October 1976, Maradona made his professional debut for [[Argentinos Juniors]], 10 days before his 16th birthday,<ref Name=vivadiego>[http://www.vivadiego.com/biogr.html A SUMMARY OF MARADONA's LIFE], vivadiego.com. Retrieved 18 August 2006.</ref> vs. [[Talleres de Córdoba]]. He entered to the pitch wearing the number 16 jersey, and became the youngest player in the history of [[Argentine Primera División]]. Few minutes after debuting, Maradona kicked the ball through Juan Domingo Cabrera's legs, making a [[nutmeg (football)|nutmeg]] that would become legendary.<ref name=asi>[https://www.elgrafico.com.ar/articulo/1088/33691/maradona-asi-empezo-todo Maradona. Así empezó todo], ''El Gráfico'', 25 April 2019</ref> After the game, Maradona said, "That day I felt I had held the sky in my hands."<ref>[http://www.clarin.com/deportes/Diego-Argentinos_0_898110387.html "Diego, el de Argentinos"], ''Clarín'', 11 April 2013</ref> Thirty years later, Cabrera remembered Maradona's debut: "I was on the right side of the field and went to press him, but he didn't give me a chance. He made the nutmeg and when I turned around, he was far away from me".<ref>[http://archivo.lavoz.com.ar/nota.asp?nota_id=111261 “Murió Juan Domingo “el Chacho” Cabrera”]. Gustavo Farías on ''La Voz'', 4 September 2007</ref> Maradona scored his first goal in the Primera División against [[Mar del Plata|Marplatense]] team San Lorenzo on 14 November 1976, two weeks after turning 16.<ref>[http://laseleccion.com.ar/argentina/primeros-goles-argentinos-san-lorenzo-diego-maradona "Los primeros gritos de D10S"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151008113712/http://laseleccion.com.ar/argentina/primeros-goles-argentinos-san-lorenzo-diego-maradona |date=8 October 2015 }} on La Selección website</ref>
 
[[File:Diego Maradona celebrando la obtención del Torneo Metropolitano de 1981.jpg|thumb|right|Maradona being held aloft by fans of [[Boca Juniors]] after winning the [[1981 Argentine Primera División|1981 Metropolitano]] championship]]
Maradona spent five years at Argentinos Juniors, from 1976 to 1981, scoring 115 goals in 167 appearances before his [[US Dollar|US$]] 4&nbsp;million transfer to [[Boca Juniors]].<ref>[http://canchallena.lanacion.com.ar/1351900-aquella-jugada-que-llevo-a-maradona-a-boca "Aquella jugada que llevó a Maradona a Boca" by Daniel Arcucchi], Cancha Llena, 22 February 2011</ref> Maradona received offers to join other clubs, including [[Club Atlético River Plate|River Plate]] who offered to make him the club's best paid player.<ref name=yosy>''Yo Soy El Diego'', autobiography of Diego A. Maradona – Editorial Planeta (2000) – {{ISBN|9871144628}}</ref> Nevertheless, Maradona expressed his will to be transferred to Boca Juniors, the team he always wanted to play for.<ref>[http://www.funtrivia.com/en/Sports/Diego-Maradona-19085.html "Fun Trivia : Diego Maradona"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140729171304/http://www.funtrivia.com/en/Sports/Diego-Maradona-19085.html |date=29 July 2014 }}. Trivia. Retrieved 24 April 2014</ref>
 
Maradona signed a contract with Boca Juniors on 20 February 1981. He made his debut two days later against [[Talleres de Córdoba]], scoring twice in the club's 4–1 win. On 10 April, Maradona played his first ''[[Superclásico]]'' against River Plate at [[La Bombonera]] stadium. Boca defeated River 3–0 with Maradona scoring a goal after dribbling past [[Alberto Tarantini]] and Fillol.<ref>[http://www.clarin.com/diario/2006/02/22/deportes/d-04801.htm "25 años de romance"], ''Clarín'', 26 December 2009</ref> Despite the distrustful relationship between Maradona and Boca Juniors manager, [[Silvio Marzolini]],<ref>[http://www.clarin.com/diario/2000/09/24/s-04615.ht "Maradona por Maradona"]{{dead link|date=May 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}, 24 September 2000</ref> Boca had a successful season, winning the [[1981 Argentine Primera División|league title]] after securing a point against [[Racing Club de Avellaneda|Racing Club]].<ref>[http://www.rsssf.com/tablesa/arg81.html Argentina 1981 by Osvaldo José Gorgazzi] on RSSSF.com</ref> That would be the only title won by Maradona in the Argentine domestic league.<ref name="Fifa profile"/>
 
===Barcelona===
{{Quote box|width=32%|align=right|quote="He had complete mastery of the ball. When Maradona ran with the ball or dribbled through the defence, he seemed to have the ball tied to his boots. I remember our early training sessions with him: the rest of the team were so amazed that they just stood and watched him. We all thought ourselves privileged to be witnesses of his genius."|source=—Barcelona teammate [[Francisco José Carrasco|Lobo Carrasco]]<ref>Jimmy Burns (2009). "Barca: A People's Passion". p. 251. Bloomsbury Publishing, 2009</ref>}}
 
After the [[1982 FIFA World Cup|1982 World Cup]], in June, Maradona was transferred to [[FC Barcelona|Barcelona]] in Spain for a then [[World football transfer record|world record fee]] of £5&nbsp;million ($7.6&nbsp;million).<ref>[https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/international/3278819/Life-and-crimes-of-Diego-Armando-Maradona-Football.html "Life and crimes of Diego Armando Maradona"]. The Telegraph. Retrieved 15 October 2015</ref> In 1983, under coach [[César Luis Menotti]], Barcelona and Maradona won the [[Copa del Rey]] (Spain's annual national cup competition), beating [[Real Madrid C.F.|Real Madrid]], and the [[Supercopa de España|Spanish Super Cup]], beating [[Athletic Bilbao]]. On 26 June 1983, Barcelona defeated Real Madrid on the road in one of the world's biggest club games, ''[[El Clásico]]'', a match where Maradona scored and became the first Barcelona player to be applauded by archrival Real Madrid fans.<ref name="Clasico"/> Maradona dribbled past Madrid goalkeeper [[Agustín Rodríguez Santiago|Agustín]], and as he approached the empty goal, he stopped just as Madrid defender [[Juan José Jiménez Collar|Juan José]] came sliding in a desperate attempt to block the shot and ended up crashing into the post, before Maradona slotted the ball into the net.<ref>[https://www.fcbarcelona.com/football/first-team/news/2012-2013/30-years-since-maradona-stunned-the-santiago-bernabeu "30 years since Maradona stunned the Santiago Bernabéu"]. FC Barcelona. Retrieved 2 October 2014</ref> The manner of the goal led to many inside the stadium start applauding; only [[Ronaldinho]] (in November 2005) and [[Andrés Iniesta]] (in November 2015) have since been granted such an ovation as Barcelona players from Madrid fans at the [[Santiago Bernabéu Stadium|Santiago Bernabéu]].<ref name="Clasico">[https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/european/real-madrid-0-barcelona-3-bernabeu-forced-to-pay-homage-as-ronaldinho-soars-above-the-galacticos-516202.html "Real Madrid 0 Barcelona 3: Bernabeu forced to pay homage as Ronaldinho soars above the galacticos"]. The Independent. Retrieved 29 November 2013</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=http://nesn.com/2015/11/real-madrid-fans-applaud-barcelonas-andres-iniesta-in-el-clasico-video/ |title=Real Madrid Fans Applaud Barcelona's Andres Iniesta In 'El Clasico' |publisher=NESN |date=21 November 2015 |accessdate=28 January 2016}}</ref>
 
[[File:Goikoetxea lesiona maradona.jpg|thumb|The moment when Atlético de Bilbao player [[Andoni Goikoetxea Olaskoaga|Andoni Goikoetxea]] injures Diego Maradona on 24 September 1983]]
Due to illness and injury as well as controversial incidents on the field, Maradona had a difficult tenure in Barcelona.<ref Name=Guardian>[http://observer.guardian.co.uk/osm/story/0,,1677834,00.html "That's one hell of a diet, Diego"]. 8 January 2006. Guardian Newspapers Limited. Retrieved 13 August 2006.</ref> First a bout of [[hepatitis]], then a broken ankle in a [[La Liga]] game at the [[Camp Nou]] in September 1983 caused by an ill-timed tackle by Athletic Bilbao's [[Andoni Goikoetxea Olaskoaga|Andoni Goikoetxea]], threatened to jeopardize Maradona's career, but with treatment and therapy, it was possible for him to return to the pitch after a three-month recovery period.<ref Name=vivadiego/>
 
[[File:Maradona kempes spain.jpg|thumb|left|upright=0.9|Maradona with his fellow countryman [[Mario Kempes]] before a Barcelona match against [[CF Valencia|Valencia]]]]
The end of the 1983–84 season included a violent and chaotic fight Maradona was directly involved in at the [[1984 Copa del Rey]] final at the Santiago Bernabéu in Madrid against Athletic Bilbao.<ref name="butcher">{{cite news |title=Diego Maradona gives hot, hot heat to The Butcher of Bilbao |url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/blog/2008/dec/05/joy-of-six-scott-murray |newspaper=The Guardian |date=24 April 2015}}</ref> After receiving another rough tackle by Goikoetxea which wounded his leg, being taunted with xenophobic, racist insults related to his father's Native American ancestry throughout the match by Bilbao fans, and being provoked by Bilbao's [[Miguel Ángel Sola|Miguel Sola]] at full time as Barcelona lost 1–0, Maradona snapped.<ref name="butcher"/> He aggressively got up, stood inches from Sola's face and the two exchanged words. This started a chain reaction of emotional reactions from both teams. Using expletives, Sola mimicked a gesture from the crowd towards Maradona by using a xenophobic term.<ref name="Calioli"/> Maradona then headbutted Sola, elbowed another Bilbao player in the face and kneed another player in the head, knocking him out cold.<ref name="butcher"/> The Bilbao squad surrounded Maradona to exact some retribution with Goikoetxea connecting with a high kick to his chest, before the rest of the Barcelona squad joined in to help Maradona. From this point, Barcelona and Bilbao players brawled on the field with Maradona in the centre of the action, kicking and punching anyone in a Bilbao shirt.<ref name="butcher"/>
 
The mass brawl was played out in front of the Spanish [[King Juan Carlos]] and an audience of 100,000 fans inside the stadium, and more than half of Spain watching on television.<ref name="Bilbao"/> After fans began throwing solid objects on the field at the players, coaches and even photographers, sixty people were injured, with the incident effectively sealing Maradona's transfer out of the club in what was his last game in a Barcelona shirt.<ref name="Calioli">Luca Caioli (2013). "Messi: The Inside Story of the Boy Who Became a Legend"</ref> One Barcelona executive stated, "When I saw those scenes of Maradona fighting and the chaos that followed I realized we couldn't go any further with him."<ref name="Bilbao">Jimmy Burns. (2011). "Maradona: The Hand of God". pp.121–122. A&C Black</ref> Maradona got into frequent disputes with FC Barcelona executives, particularly club president [[Josep Lluís Núñez]], culminating with a demand to be transferred out of Camp Nou in 1984. During his two injury-hit seasons at Barcelona, Maradona scored 38 goals in 58 games.<ref>[http://www.cbc.ca/sports/columns/indepth/maradona_indepth.html "Backgrounder: Diego Maradona"]. CBC Sports. Retrieved 14 December 2012</ref> Maradona transferred to [[S.S.C. Napoli|Napoli]] in Italy's [[Serie A]] for another world record fee, £6.9&nbsp;million ($10.48M).<ref name="Times">[http://www.thetimes.co.uk/tto/sport/football/europe/article3325254.ece "Snapshot: Maradona is toast of the town after signing for Napoli"]. The Times. Retrieved 30 March 2013</ref>
 
===Napoli===
[[File:Presentacion maradona napoli.jpg|thumb|right|upright=0.77|Maradona saluting the crowd at the [[Stadio San Paolo]] in Naples during his presentation on 5 July 1984]]
 
Maradona arrived in [[Naples]] and was presented to the world media as a Napoli player on 5 July 1984, where he was welcomed by 75,000 fans at his presentation at the [[Stadio San Paolo]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Cristiano Ronaldo welcomed by 80,000 fans at Real Madrid unveiling |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2009/jul/06/cristiano-ronaldo-real-madrid-bernabeu |work=The Guardian |location=London |date=6 July 2009 |accessdate=6 July 2009}}</ref> Sports writer David Goldblatt commented, "They [the fans] were convinced that the saviour had arrived."<ref name="Naples"/> A local newspaper stated that despite the lack of a "mayor, houses, schools, buses, employment and sanitation, none of this matters because we have Maradona".<ref name="Naples">[http://www.espnfc.com/columns/story/_/id/1033038/rewind-to-1987:-maradona-brings-success-to-napoli?cc=5739 "Maradona brings success to Napoli"]. ESPN. Retrieved 16 May 2014</ref> Prior to Maradona's arrival, Italian football was dominated by teams from the north and centre of the country, such as [[A.C. Milan]], [[Juventus F.C.|Juventus]], [[Inter Milan]] and [[A.S. Roma|Roma]], and no team in the south of the [[Italian Peninsula]] had ever won a league title.<ref name="Naples"/><ref>Clemente A. Lisi (2011). "A History of the World Cup: 1930–2010". p. 193. Scarecrow Press</ref>
 
At Napoli, Maradona reached the peak of his professional career: he soon inherited the [[Captain (association football)|captain]]'s armband from Napoli veteran defender [[Giuseppe Bruscolotti]]<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.repubblica.it/rubriche/la-storia/2016/02/09/news/bruscolotti_verso_juventus_napoli-133032932/ |title=Bruscolotti, una vita in azzurro: "Napoli, ricorda quella partita dell'86" |newspaper=La Repubblica |language=Italian |author1=Nicola Sellitti |date=9 February 2016 |accessdate=7 April 2016}}</ref> and quickly became an adored star among the club's fans; in his time there he elevated the team to the most successful era in its history.<ref name="Naples"/> Maradona played for Napoli at a period when north–south tensions in Italy were at a peak due to a variety of issues, notably the economic differences between the two.<ref name="Naples"/> Led by Maradona, Napoli won their first ever [[Serie A|Serie A Italian Championship]] in [[1986–87 Serie A|1986–87]].<ref name="Naples"/> Goldblatt wrote, "The celebrations were tumultuous. A rolling series of impromptu street parties and festivities broke out contagiously across the city in a round-the-clock carnival which ran for over a week. The world was turned upside down. The Neapolitans held mock funerals for Juventus and Milan, burning their coffins, their death notices announcing 'May 1987, the other Italy has been defeated. A new empire is born.'"<ref name="Naples"/> Murals of Maradona were painted on the city's ancient buildings, and newborn children were named in his honour.<ref name="Naples"/> The following season, the team's prolific attacking trio, formed by Maradona, [[Bruno Giordano]] and [[Careca]], was later dubbed the "Ma-Gi-Ca" (''magical'') front-line.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://blogs.guardian.co.uk/sport/2007/04/03/serie_as_comeback_kid_eyes_ano.html |title=Serie A's comeback kid eyes another miracle |work=Guardian Unlimited |last=Richardson |first=James |date=3 April 2007 |accessdate=23 March 2016 |authorlink=James Richardson (television presenter)}}</ref>
 
Napoli would win their second league title in [[1989–90 Serie A|1989–90]], and finish runners up in the league twice, in [[1987–88 Serie A|1987–88]] and [[1988–89 Serie A|1988–89]].<ref name="Naples"/> Other honours during the Maradona era at Napoli included the [[Coppa Italia]] in [[1986–87 Coppa Italia|1987]], (as well as a second-place finish in the [[Coppa Italia]] in [[1988–89 Coppa Italia|1989]]), the [[UEFA Europa League|UEFA Cup]] in [[1989 UEFA Cup Final|1989]] and the [[Supercoppa Italiana|Italian Supercup]] in [[1990 Supercoppa Italiana|1990]].<ref name="Naples"/> During the 1989 UEFA Cup Final against [[VfB Stuttgart|Stuttgart]], Maradona scored from a penalty in a 2–1 home victory in the first leg, later assisting Careca's match–winning goal,<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.uefa.com/uefaeuropaleague/match/926--napoli-vs-stuttgart/ |title=Napoli–Stuttgart |publisher=UEFA.com |accessdate=29 June 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.ultimouomo.com/napoli-coppa-uefa-1988-89/ |title=Quando il Napoli vinse la Coppa UEFA |publisher=L'Ultimo Uomo |language=Italian |last1=Sica |first1=Jvan |date=18 April 2019 |accessdate=29 June 2020}}</ref> while in the second leg on 17 May – a 3–3 away draw –, he assisted [[Ciro Ferrara]]'s goal with a header.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://en.archive.uefa.com/competitions/uefacup/history/season=1988/intro.html |title=1988/89: Maradona leads the way for Napoli |publisher=UEFA.com |date=1 June 1989 |accessdate=29 June 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100624211000/http://en.archive.uefa.com/competitions/uefacup/history/season=1988/intro.html |archive-date=24 June 2010 |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.tuttomercatoweb.com/accadde-oggi/17-maggio-1989-napoli-trionfa-in-europa-a-stoccarda-arriva-la-coppa-uefa-830676 |title=17 maggio 1989, Napoli trionfa in Europa: a Stoccarda arriva la Coppa Uefa |publisher=Tutto Mercato Web |language=Italian |last1=Mocciaro |first1=Gaetano |date=17 May 2016 |accessdate=29 June 2020}}</ref> Despite primarily playing in a creative role as an attacking midfielder, Maradona was the top scorer in Serie A in [[1987–88 Serie A#Top Scorers|1987–88]], with 15 goals, and was the [[S.S.C. Napoli#Overall Top Scorers|all-time leading goalscorer for Napoli]], with 115 goals,<ref name="Stats"/> until his record was broken by [[Marek Hamšík]] in 2017.<ref name="Fifa profile">[https://www.fifa.com/classicfootball/players/player=174732/ "The Albiceleste underdog who conquered the world"]. FIFA.com Retrieved 16 May 2014</ref><ref>[http://guardianlv.com/2014/02/diego-maradona-has-appealed-to-european-union/ "Diego Maradona Has Appealed to European Union"]. The Guardian. Retrieved 21 May 2014</ref><ref name="Hamsik">{{cite web |url=http://www.espn.com/soccer/napoli/story/3322199/marek-hamsik-breaks-diego-maradonas-napoli-scoring-record?src=com |title=Marek Hamsik breaks Diego Maradona's Napoli scoring record |publisher=ESPN FC |date=23 December 2017 |accessdate=23 December 2017}}</ref> When asked who was the toughest player he ever faced, A.C. Milan central defender [[Franco Baresi]] stated, that it was Maradona, a view shared by his Milan teammate [[Paolo Maldini]], who viewed Maradona and Ronaldo as the best players he ever faced, stating in 2008, "The best ever I played against was Maradona."<ref name="Baresi: One-on-One">{{cite web |url=http://www.fourfourtwo.com/features/franco-baresi-one-one#JPCgrGHigE3eRrU0.99 |title=Franco Baresi: One-on-One |publisher=Four Four Two |date=1 November 2009 |accessdate=19 January 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.goal.com/en/news/8/main/2008/10/04/895828/maradona-and-ronaldo-best-ever-maldini |title=Maradona and Ronaldo Best Ever |publisher=Goal.com |last=Landolina |first=Salvatore |date=4 October 2008 |accessdate=7 February 2015}}</ref>
 
While Maradona was successful on the field during his time in Italy, his personal problems increased. His [[cocaine]] use continued, and he received US$70,000 in fines from his club for missing games and practices, ostensibly because of "stress".<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9D0CE3D6153EF930A25752C0A967958260 |work=The New York Times |title=SPORTS PEOPLE; Maradona Fined |date=13 January 1991 |accessdate=1 April 2010}}</ref> He faced a scandal there regarding an illegitimate [[Diego Sinagra|son]], and he was also the object of some suspicion over an alleged friendship with the [[Camorra]].<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/3639425.stm |work=BBC News |title=Maradona's fall from grace |date=19 April 2004 |accessdate=1 April 2010 |first=John |last=May}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/after-the-fall-the-world-cup-dream-is-over-for-diego-maradona-but-there-may-be-worse-to-come--a-little-matter-of-pounds-500000worth-of-smuggled-cocaine-and-the-naples-mafia-paul-greengrass-and-toby-follett-report-1411755.html |work=The Independent |location=London |title=After the fall: The World Cup dream is over for Diego Maradona, but there may be worse to come – a little matter of pounds 500,000-worth of smuggled cocaine, and the Naples mafia. Paul Greengrass and Toby Follett report |date=5 July 1994 |accessdate=1 April 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://archiviostorico.corriere.it/1999/gennaio/02/Camorra_arrestato_boss_amico_Maradona_co_0_9901021353.shtml |title=Camorra, arrestato il boss amico di Maradona |work=Corriere della Sera |date=24 December 2009 |accessdate=12 June 2010}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |url=http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/si_online/news/2002/01/14/prima_dona/ |publisher=CNN |date=14 January 2002 |author=Telander, Rick |title=At his best, Diego Maradona can be as graceful as Michael Jordan. At his worst, he can be as disgraceful as John McEnroe. The question is, which Maradona will show for the World Cup?}}</ref> Later on, in honour of Maradona and his achievements during his career at Napoli, the [[Squad number (association football)|number 10 jersey]] of Napoli was officially [[List of retired numbers in association football#Retired numbers|retired]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.goal.com/en/news/10/italy/2011/01/14/2305148/diego-maradona-backs-ezequiel-lavezzi-to-earn-napoli-numberl |title=Diego Maradona Backs Ezequiel Lavezzi To Earn Napoli Number 10 Shirt |publisher=Goal.com |last=Landolina |first=Salvatore |date=14 January 2011 |accessdate=31 March 2013}}</ref>
 
===Sevilla, Newell's Old Boys and Boca Juniors===
After serving a 15-month ban for failing a [[drug test]] for [[cocaine]], Maradona left Napoli in disgrace in 1992. Despite interest from Real Madrid and [[Olympique de Marseille|Marseille]], he signed for [[Sevilla FC|Sevilla]], where he stayed for one year.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/sport-in-short-football-1533258.html |title=Sport in Short: Football – Sport |work=The Independent |location=UK |date=15 July 1992 |accessdate=6 May 2011}}</ref> In 1993, he played for [[Newell's Old Boys]] and in 1995 returned to Boca Juniors for a two-year stint.<ref Name=vivadiego/> Maradona also appeared for [[Tottenham Hotspur F.C.|Tottenham Hotspur]] in a [[testimonial match]] for [[Osvaldo Ardiles]] against Internazionale, shortly before the [[1986 FIFA World Cup|1986 World Cup]].<ref>[https://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/blogs/early-doors/maradona-contender-replace-avb-tottenham-132124009.html "Maradona ‘a main contender to replace Villas-Boas at Tottenham’"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714180636/https://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/blogs/early-doors/maradona-contender-replace-avb-tottenham-132124009.html |date=14 July 2014 }}. Yahoo. Retrieved 24 June 2014</ref> Maradona was himself given a testimonial match in November 2001, played between an all-star World XI and the Argentina national team.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2001/nov/10/sport.comment |title=Maradona finishes on a personal high |work=The Guardian |date=10 November 2001 |accessdate=29 July 2018 |first=Dan |last=Rookwood}}</ref>
{{Clear}}
 
==International career==
[[File:Arg vs urss 1979.jpg|thumb|right|Maradona on the ball against the [[Soviet Union national under-20 football team|Soviet Union]] at the [[1979 FIFA World Youth Championship]] final]]
During his time with the [[Argentina national football team|Argentina national team]], Maradona scored 34 goals in 91 appearances. He made his full international debut at age 16, against [[Hungary national football team|Hungary]], on 27 February 1977. Maradona was left off the Argentine squad for the [[1978 FIFA World Cup|1978 World Cup]] on home soil by coach [[César Luis Menotti]] who felt he was too young at age 17.<ref name="Britannica">{{Britannica|686139}}</ref> At age 18, Maradona played the [[1979 FIFA World Youth Championship]] in Japan and emerged as the star of the tournament, shining in Argentina's 3–1 final win over the [[Soviet Union national football team|Soviet Union]], scoring a total of six goals in six appearances in the tournament.<ref name="1979Youth">{{cite web |title=FIFA World Youth Tournament 1979 Technical Study Report |url=https://www.fifa.com/mm/document/afdeveloping/technicaldevp/50/06/61/wyc_79_tr_211.pdf |website=[[FIFA]] |accessdate=23 October 2020 |pages=97–109 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140712120606/https://www.fifa.com/mm/document/afdeveloping/technicaldevp/50/06/61/wyc_79_tr_211.pdf |archivedate=12 July 2014 |url-status=dead}}</ref> On 2 June 1979, Maradona scored his first senior international goal in a 3–1 win against [[Scotland national football team|Scotland]] at [[Hampden Park]].<ref>MacPherson, Graeme (30 October 2008). [https://web.archive.org/web/20081207131534/http://www.theherald.co.uk/sport/headlines/display.var.2464361.0.Maradona_to_receive_Hampden_welcome.php Maradona to receive Hampden welcome], ''[[The Herald (Glasgow)|The Herald]]''.</ref> He went on to play for Argentina in two [[1979 Copa América]] ties during August 1979, a 2–1 loss against [[Brazil national football team|Brazil]] and a 3–0 win over [[Bolivia national football team|Bolivia]] in which he scored his side's third goal.<ref name="RSSSF" />
 
Speaking thirty years later on the impact of Maradona's performances in 1979, FIFA President [[Sepp Blatter]] stated, "Everyone has an opinion on Diego Armando Maradona, and that’s been the case since his playing days. My most vivid recollection is of this incredibly gifted kid at the second FIFA U-20 World Cup in Japan in 1979. He left everyone open-mouthed every time he got on the ball."<ref name="Maradona FIFA"/> Maradona and his compatriot [[Lionel Messi]] are the only players to win the Golden Ball at both the [[FIFA U-20 World Cup]] and [[FIFA World Cup]]. Maradona did so in [[1979 FIFA World Youth Championship|1979]] and [[1986 FIFA World Cup|1986]], which Messi emulated in [[2005 FIFA World Youth Championship|2005]] and [[2014 FIFA World Cup|2014]].<ref>[http://www.rsssf.com/miscellaneous/fifa-awards.html#under20 "FIFA Under-20 World Championships Awards"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160112042845/http://www.rsssf.com/miscellaneous/fifa-awards.html |date=12 January 2016 }}. RSSSF. Retrieved 20 March 2015</ref>
 
===1982 World Cup===
Maradona played his first [[1982 FIFA World Cup|World Cup]] tournament in 1982 in his new country of residence, Spain. Argentina played [[Belgium national football team|Belgium]] in the opening game of the 1982 Cup at the Camp Nou in [[Barcelona]]. The Catalan crowd was eager to see their new world-record signing Maradona in action, but he did not perform to expectations,<ref>[http://www.planetworldcup.com/CUPS/1982/wc82story.html 1982 – Story of Spain '82]. Planet World Cup. Retrieved 31 March 2013.</ref> as Argentina, the defending champions, lost 1–0. Although the team convincingly beat both Hungary and [[El Salvador national football team|El Salvador]] in [[Alicante]] to progress to the second round, there were internal tensions within the team, with the younger, less experienced players at odds with the older, more experienced players. In a team that also included such players as [[Mario Kempes]], [[Osvaldo Ardiles]], [[Ramón Díaz]], [[Daniel Bertoni]], [[Alberto Tarantini]], [[Ubaldo Fillol]] and [[Daniel Passarella]], the Argentine side was defeated in the second round by [[Brazil national football team|Brazil]] and by eventual winners [[Italy national football team|Italy]]. The Italian match is renowned for Maradona being aggressively [[Marking (association football)|man-marked]] by [[Claudio Gentile]], as Italy beat Argentina at the [[Sarrià Stadium]] in Barcelona, 2–1.<ref>Brewin, John (9 June 2010) [http://soccernet.espn.go.com/world-cup/columns/story?id=792748&cc=5739&ver=global "Diego Maradona: God's gift"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121108213751/http://soccernet.espn.go.com/world-cup/columns/story?id=792748&cc=5739&ver=global |date=8 November 2012 }}. ESPN Soccernet.</ref>
 
Maradona played in all five matches without being substituted, scoring twice against Hungary. He was fouled repeatedly in all five games and particularly in the last one against Brazil at the Sarrià, a game that was blighted by poor officiating and violent fouls. With Argentina already down 3–0 to Brazil, Maradona's temper eventually got the better of him and he was sent off with five minutes remaining for a serious retaliatory foul against [[João Batista da Silva|Batista]].<ref>[http://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/2943/castrol-debates/2010/06/10/1968569/castrol-world-cup-legends-diego-maradona-1986 "Castrol World Cup Legends: Diego Maradona – 1986"]. Goal.com (10 June 2010). Retrieved 14 December 2012</ref>
 
===1986 World Cup===
[[File:Maradona-Mundial 86 con la copa.JPG|thumb|upright|Maradona holding the 1986 [[FIFA World Cup Trophy|World Cup trophy]]]]
 
Maradona captained the Argentine national team to victory in the [[1986 FIFA World Cup|1986 World Cup]] in Mexico, winning the final in [[Mexico City]] against [[Germany national football team|West Germany]].<ref name="espn">[http://espnfc.com/feature/_/id/696773/world-cup-history?cc=5901 "World Cup 1986"]. ESPN. Retrieved 24 April 2014</ref> Throughout the tournament, Maradona asserted his dominance and was the most dynamic player of the tournament. He played every minute of every Argentina game, scoring five goals and making five assists, three of those in the opening match against [[South Korea national football team|South Korea]] at the [[Estadio Olimpico Universitario|Olimpico Universitario Stadium]] in [[Mexico City]]. His first goal of the tournament came against Italy in the second group game in [[Puebla]].<ref>[https://www.fifa.com/worldcup/archive/edition=68/results/matches/match=394/report.html "1986 FIFA World Cup Mexico: Italy – Argentina"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121216144554/http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/archive/edition%3D68/results/matches/match%3D394/report.html |date=16 December 2012 }}. FIFA. Retrieved 14 December 2012</ref> Argentina eliminated [[Uruguay national football team|Uruguay]] in the first knockout round in Puebla, setting up a match against [[England national football team|England]] at the [[Estadio Azteca|Azteca Stadium]], also in Mexico City. After scoring two contrasting goals in the [[Argentina v England (1986 FIFA World Cup quarter-final)|2–1 quarter-final win]] against England, his legend was cemented. The majesty of his second goal and the notoriety of his first led to the French newspaper ''[[L'Equipe]]'' describing Maradona as "half-angel, half-devil".<ref name="Diego">[https://www.fifa.com/tournaments/archive/worldcup/mexico1986/index.html "Maradona lights up the world – with a helping hand"]. FIFA.com. Retrieved 13 May 2014</ref> This match was played with the background of the [[Falklands War]] between Argentina and the United Kingdom. Replays showed that the first goal was scored by striking the ball with his hand. Maradona was coyly evasive, describing it as "a little with the head of Maradona and a little with the hand of God".<ref name="espn"/> It became known as the "[[The hand of God|Hand of God]]". Ultimately, on 22 August 2005, Maradona acknowledged on his television show that he had hit the ball with his hand purposely, and no contact with his head was made, and that he immediately knew the goal was illegitimate. This became known as an international fiasco in World Cup history. The goal stood, much to the wrath of the English players.<ref>McCarthy, David (18 November 2008). [http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/football/scotland/2008/11/18/terry-butcher-maradona-robbed-england-of-world-cup-glory-86908-20904447/ Terry Butcher: Maradona robbed England of World Cup glory] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100527135636/http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/football/scotland/2008/11/18/terry-butcher-maradona-robbed-england-of-world-cup-glory-86908-20904447/ |date=27 May 2010 }}. [[Daily Record (Scotland)|Daily Record]].</ref>
 
{{Quote box|width=27%|align=left|quote="Maradona, turns like a little eel and comes away from trouble, little squat man... comes inside Butcher and leaves him for dead, outside Fenwick and leaves him for dead, and puts the ball away... and that is why Maradona is the greatest player in the world."|source=—Bryon Butler's [[BBC Radio]] commentary on Maradona's [[Argentina v England (1986 FIFA World Cup)#The Goal of the Century|second goal]] against England<ref>[[John Motson|Motson, John]] (2006). ''Motson's World Cup Extravaganza''. p.103. Robson, 2006</ref>}}
 
Maradona's second goal, just four minutes after the hotly disputed hand-goal, was later voted by [[FIFA]] as the greatest goal in the history of the World Cup. He received the ball in his own half, swivelled around and with 11 touches ran more than half the length of the field, [[Dribbling#Association football|dribbling]] past five English outfield players ([[Peter Beardsley]], [[Steve Hodge]], [[Peter Reid]], [[Terry Butcher]] and [[Terry Fenwick]]) before he left goalkeeper [[Peter Shilton]] on his backside with a [[Dummy (football)|feint]], and slotted the ball into the net.<ref>[https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/world-cup/6700645/Top-10-World-Cup-goals.html?mobile=basic "Top 10 World Cup goals"]. The Telegraph. Retrieved 19 August 2014</ref> This goal was voted "[[Goal of the Century]]" in a 2002 online poll conducted by FIFA.<ref name=voted/> A 2002 Channel 4 poll in the UK saw his performance ranked number 6 in the list of the [[100 Greatest Sporting Moments]].<ref name="Channel4 Greatest">{{Cite web |url=http://www.channel4.com/entertainment/tv/microsites/G/greatest_sporting/results.html |title=100 Greatest Sporting Moments – Results |year=2002 |publisher=[[Channel 4]] |location=London|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20020204090913/http://www.channel4.com/entertainment/tv/microsites/G/greatest_sporting/results.html|archive-date=4 February 2002|url-status=dead|access-date=8 August 2019}}</ref>
 
[[File:Maradona gol a inglaterra.jpg|thumb|Maradona right before scoring the "Goal of the Century" against England in Mexico 1986]]
Maradona followed this with two more goals in a semi-final match against Belgium at the Azteca, including another virtuoso dribbling display for the second goal. In the final match, West Germany attempted to contain him by double-marking, but he nevertheless found the space past the West German player [[Lothar Matthäus]] to give the final pass to [[Jorge Burruchaga]] for the winning goal. [[1986 FIFA World Cup Final|Argentina beat West Germany 3–2]] in front of 115,000 fans at the Azteca with Maradona lifting the World Cup as captain.<ref name="Diego"/><ref>Clive Gammon (7 July 1986). [http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1064996/index.htm?eref=sisf "Tango Argentino!"]. Sports Illustrated. Retrieved 13 May 2014</ref>
 
During the course of the tournament, Maradona attempted or created more than half of Argentina's shots, attempted a tournament best 90 dribbles – some three times more than any other player – and was fouled a record 53 times, winning his team twice as many free kicks as any player.<ref>[http://www.castrolfootball.com/legends/tournament/index.php?year=1986l Castrol Worldcup Statistics – Diego Maradona]. Castrolfootball.com. Retrieved 31 March 2013.</ref><ref name="autogenerated1">Darby, James. (10 June 2010) [http://www.goal.com/en/news/1863/world-cup-2010/2010/06/10/1968349/castrol-world-cup-legends-diego-maradona-1986l WorldCup Legends: Maradona]. Goal.com. Retrieved 31 March 2013.</ref> Maradona scored or assisted 10 of Argentina's 14 goals (71%), including the assist for the winning goal in the final, ensuring that he would be remembered as one of the greatest names in football history.<ref name="autogenerated1"/><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.fifa.com/worldcup/news/spain-s-2010-conquerors-in-numbers-2904843 |title=Spain's 2010 conquerors in numbers |publisher=FIFA.com |date=22 August 2017 |accessdate=18 May 2020}}</ref> By the end of the World Cup, Maradona went on to win the Golden Ball as the best player of the tournament by unanimous vote and was widely regarded to have won the World Cup virtually single-handedly, something that he later stated he did not entirely agree with.<ref name="autogenerated1"/><ref>[https://www.fifa.com/mm/document/afdeveloping/technicaldevp/50/09/00/fwc_mexico_1986_en_part4_279.pdf “Argentina's Road to the World Title”] FIFA. page 43</ref><ref>[https://www.fifa.com/worldcup/archive/southafrica2010/awards/goldenball/previouswinners.html "Adidas Golden Ball Winners" from] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120517021852/http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/archive/southafrica2010/awards/goldenball/previouswinners.html |date=17 May 2012 }}. FIFA.com (14 November 2012). Retrieved 31 March 2013.</ref><ref name="number 10">[https://www.fifa.com/newscentre/news/newsid=76134.html Pelé and Maradona – two very different number tens]. FIFA.com (25 January 2001). Retrieved 31 March 2013.</ref> [[Zinedine Zidane]], watching the 1986 World Cup as a 14-year-old, stated Maradona "was on another level".<ref>{{cite news |title=Maradona was on another level – Zidane |url=http://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/7138/goal-hall-of-fame/2014/11/12/6070971/maradona-was-on-another-level-zidane |accessdate=20 August 2018 |work=Goal}}</ref> In a tribute to him, Azteca Stadium authorities built a statue of him scoring the "Goal of the Century" and placed it at the entrance of the stadium.<ref>[http://worldrec.info/2007/04/28/messis-goal-better-than-maradonas-goal-of-the-century Messi’s Goal Better Than Maradona's Goal of the Century?] worldrec.info. Retrieved 29 January 2009.</ref>
 
Regarding Maradona's performance at the 1986 World Cup in Mexico, in 2014, Roger Bennett of ''[[ESPN FC]]'' described it as "the most virtuoso performance a World Cup has ever witnessed,"<ref name="spectacular to scandalous"/> while Kevin Baxter of the ''[[Los Angeles Times]]'' called it "one of the greatest individual performances in tournament history,"<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.latimes.com/sports/soccer/la-sp-world-cup-baxter-20140705-story.html |title=Argentina's Lionel Messi still has one man to beat |work=The Los Angeles Times |last1=Baxter |first1=Kevin |date=4 July 2014 |accessdate=17 April 2020}}</ref> with Steven Goff of ''[[The Washington Post]]'' instead dubbing his performance as "one of the finest in tournament annals."<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/dcunited/its-argentina-vs-belgium-in-the-world-cup-but-always-lionel-messi-vs-diego-maradona/2014/07/04/d0c0d87c-03cb-11e4-8e9a-8f02626a2ac0_story.html |title=It's Argentina vs. Belgium in the World Cup, but always Lionel Messi vs. Diego Maradona |work=The Washington Post |last1=Goff |first1=Steven |date=4 July 2014 |accessdate=17 April 2020}}</ref> In 2002, Russell Thomas of ''[[The Guardian]]'' described Maradona's second goal against England in the 1986 World Cup quarter-finals as "arguably the greatest individual goal ever."<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2002/jun/06/worldcupfootball2002.sport11 |title=England's past four World Cup clashes with Argentina |work=The Guardian |last1=Thomas |first1=Russell |date=6 June 2002 |accessdate=17 April 2020}}</ref> In a 2009 article for ''[[CBC Sports]]'', John Molinaro described the goal as "the greatest ever scored in the tournament – and, maybe, in soccer."<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.cbc.ca/sports/soccer/1986-world-cup-the-diego-maradona-show-1.813202 |title=1986 World Cup: The Diego Maradona Show |work=CBC Sports |last1=Molinaro |first1=John F. |date=21 November 2009 |accessdate=17 April 2020}}</ref> In a 2018 article for ''[[Sportsnet]]'', he added: "No other player, not even Pel[é] in [[1958 FIFA World Cup|1958]] nor [[Paolo Rossi]] in 1982, had dominated a single competition the way Maradona did in Mexico." He also went on to say of Maradona's performance: "The brilliant Argentine artist single-handedly delivered his country its second World Cup." Regarding his two memorable goals against England in the quarter-finals, he commented: "Yes, it was Maradona’s hand, and not God’s, that was responsible for the first goal against England. But while the 'Hand of God' goal remains one of the most contentious moments in World Cup history, there can be no disputing that his second goal against England ranks as the greatest ever scored in the tournament. It transcended mere sports – his goal was pure art."<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.sportsnet.ca/soccer/1986-world-cup-maradona-puts-on-one-man-show/ |title=History of the World Cup: 1986 – Maradona puts on a show in Mexico |publisher=Sportsnet |last1=Molinaro |first1=John |date=9 June 2018 |accessdate=17 April 2020}}</ref>
 
===1990 World Cup===
[[File:Maradona passing caniggia.jpg|thumb|upright=0.77|Maradona making the defence splitting pass to [[Claudio Caniggia]] (top right) for the winning goal against Brazil, 24 June 1990]]
Maradona captained Argentina again in the [[1990 FIFA World Cup|1990 World Cup]] in Italy to yet another World Cup final. An ankle injury affected his overall performance, and he was much less dominant than four years earlier. After losing their opening game to [[Cameroon national football team|Cameroon]] at the [[San Siro]] in [[Milan]], Argentina were almost eliminated in the first round, only qualifying in third position from their group. In the round of 16 match against Brazil in [[Turin]], [[Claudio Caniggia]] scored the only goal after being set up by Maradona.<ref name="Fifa90">[http://www.espnfc.com/feature/_/id/696774?cc=5739 "World Cup 1990"].ESPN. Retrieved 24 April 2014</ref>
 
In the quarter-final, Argentina faced [[Yugoslavia national football team|Yugoslavia]] in [[Florence]]; the match ended 0–0 after 120 minutes, with Argentina advancing in a penalty shootout even though Maradona's kick, a weak shot to the goalkeeper's right, was saved. The semi-final against the host nation Italy at Maradona's club stadium in Naples, the Stadio San Paolo, was also resolved on penalties after a 1–1 draw. This time, however, Maradona was successful with his effort, daringly rolling the ball into the net with an almost exact replica of his unsuccessful kick in the previous round. At the [[1990 FIFA World Cup Final|final]] in [[Rome]], Argentina lost 1–0 to West Germany, the only goal being a penalty by [[Andreas Brehme]] in the 85th minute after a controversial foul on [[Rudi Völler]].<ref name="Fifa90"/>
 
===1994 World Cup===
[[File:Diego acompanado al antidoping.jpg|thumb|upright=0.9|Maradona going to the drug test after playing v Nigeria, 25 June 1994]]
At the [[1994 FIFA World Cup|1994 World Cup]] in the United States, Maradona played in only two games (both at the [[Foxboro Stadium]] near [[Boston]]), scoring one goal against [[Greece national football team|Greece]], before being sent home after failing a [[drug test]] for [[ephedrine]] [[doping (sport)|doping]].<ref>{{cite news |title=After Second Test, Maradona Is Out of World Cup |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1994/07/01/sports/world-cup-94-after-second-test-maradona-is-out-of-world-cup.html |newspaper=The New York Times |accessdate=2 February 2017}}</ref> After scoring against Greece, Maradona had one of the most infamous World Cup [[goal celebration]]s as he ran towards one of the sideline cameras shouting with a distorted face and bulging eyes.<ref name="celebration"/> This turned out to be Maradona's last international goal for Argentina.<ref name="celebration">{{Cite journal |url=http://soccernet.espn.go.com/world-cup/columns/story?id=790168&cc=5739&ver=global |title=First XI: World Cup celebrations |author=Jon Carter |journal=[[ESPN]] |date=26 May 2010 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20100603233147/http://soccernet.espn.go.com/world-cup/columns/story?id=790168&cc=5739&ver=global |archivedate=3 June 2010}}</ref> In the second game, a 2-1 victory over Nigeria which was to be his last game for Argentina, he set-up both of his team's goals on free-kicks, the second an assist to Caniggia.
 
In his autobiography, Maradona argued that the test result was due to his personal trainer giving him the power drink Rip Fuel. His claim was that the U.S. version, unlike the Argentine one, contained the chemical and that, having run out of his Argentine dosage, his trainer unwittingly bought the U.S. formula. FIFA expelled him from USA '94, and Argentina were subsequently eliminated in the second round by [[Romania national football team|Romania]] in [[Los Angeles]]. Maradona has also separately claimed that he had an agreement with FIFA, on which the organization reneged, to allow him to use the drug for weight loss before the competition in order to be able to play.<ref>Hylands, Alan. [https://web.archive.org/web/20090330155023/http://worldsoccer.about.com/od/soccerhistory/p/diegomaradona.htm Diego Maradona], about.com.</ref> His failed drugs test at the 1994 World Cup signalled the end of his international career, which had lasted 17 years and yielded 34 goals from 91 games, as well as one winner's medal and one runners-up medal in the World Cup.<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/1646832.stm "Argentina's tribute to Maradona"]. BBC. Retrieved 14 May 2014</ref>
 
==Player profile==
===Style of play===
{{See also|Creole football}}
{{Quote box
| quote = "Diego was capable of things no one else could match. The things I could do with a football, he could do with an orange."
| source = —[[Michel Platini]], former French midfielder, on Maradona's ball control<ref name="Quotes"/>
| align = left
| width = 32%
}}
[[File:Argentina v belgica 1986.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.04|Maradona (pictured [[dribbling]] with the ball against Belgium in 1986) had excellent close ball control and would often go on runs taking on the opposition.]]
 
Described as a "[[Playmaker|classic number 10]]" in the media,<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.goal.com/en-ie/news/what-is-a-false-nine-messi-hazard-how-the-attacking-role/sjo7n8fc6ubh17h538ws6tx1b |title=What is a false nine? Messi, Hazard & how the attacking role works |publisher=Goal.com |last1=Siregar |first1=Cady |date=11 June 2019 |accessdate=12 April 2020}}</ref> Maradona was a traditional playmaker who usually played in a free role, either as an [[Midfielder#Attacking midfielder|attacking midfielder]] behind the forwards, or as a [[Forward (association football)#Second striker|second striker]] in a front–two, although he was also deployed as an offensive–minded [[Midfielder#Central midfielder|central midfielder]] in a [[Formation (association football)#4–4–2|4–4–2 formation]] on occasion.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.si.com/more-sports/2010/05/27/argentina-1986 |title=Maradona the coach can learn from experience of Maradona the player |publisher=Sports Illustrated |last1=Wilson |first1=Jonathan |date=27 May 2010 |accessdate=12 April 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/blog/2008/nov/19/argentina-napoli |title=The Question: is 3-5-2 dead? |work=The Guardian |last1=Wilson |first1=Jonathan |date=19 November 2008 |accessdate=12 April 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/sports/soccer/article-lionel-messi-plays-for-argentina-but-he-is-not-a-traditional-argentine/ |title=Lionel Messi plays for Argentina but he is not a traditional Argentine player |work=The Globe and Mail |last1=Doyle |first1=John |date=29 June 2018 |accessdate=12 April 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.theatlantic.com/entertainment/archive/2014/07/germany-vs-argentina-shows-the-world-cup-isnt-for-the-world-why-america-wont-be-a-soccer-superpower-anytime-soon/374312/ |title=Germany, Argentina, and What Really Makes a World Cup Team |work=The Atlantic |last1=Barra |first1=Allen |date=12 July 2014 |accessdate=12 April 2020}}</ref> Maradona was renowned for his [[Dribbling#Association football|dribbling]] ability, vision, close ball control, passing and creativity, and is considered one of the most skilful players in the sport.<ref name="number 10"/><ref name="Political Psychology">David Patrick Houghton (2008). "Political Psychology: Situations, Individuals, and Cases". p. 43. Routledge, 2008</ref><ref name="People on People">Susan Ratcliffe (2001). "People on People: The Oxford Dictionary of Biographical Quotations". p. 234. Oxford University Press, 2001</ref> He had a compact physique, and with his strong legs, low center of gravity, and resulting balance, he could withstand physical pressure well while running with the ball, despite his small stature,<ref name="spectacular to scandalous">[https://www.espn.com/soccer/blog/name/93/post/1851646/headline "From spectacular to scandalous: Maradona's World Cup legacy"]. ESPN. Retrieved 14 May 2014</ref><ref name="Perfect 10s">{{cite web |url=https://www.espn.com/core/world-cup/story/_/page/worldcup101-05142010/ce/us/ruud-gull-all-time-no-10s |title=Perfect 10s |publisher=ESPN FC |last1=Gullit |first1=Ruud |date=14 May 2010 |accessdate=8 April 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.theatlantic.com/health/archive/2014/06/in-soccer-being-short-can-help/372617/ |title=Why Being Short Can Help in Soccer |work=The Atlantic |last1=Khazan |first1=Olga |date=12 June 2014 |accessdate=14 April 2020}}</ref> while his acceleration, quick feet, and agility, combined with his dribbling skills and close control at speed, allowed him to change direction quickly, making him difficult for opponents to defend against.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://montrealgazette.com/sports/soccer/maradona-really/ |title=Maradona? Really? |work=Montreal Gazette |date=29 October 2008 |accessdate=11 April 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.esquire.com/uk/culture/news/a6353/world-cup-legends-2-diego-maradona/ |title=World Cup Legends #1: Diego Maradona |work=Esquire |last1=Burns |first1=Jimmy |date=9 July 2014 |accessdate=11 April 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1994/06/23/sports/world-cup-94-maradona-lets-feet-talk-for-him.html |title=WORLD CUP '94; Maradona Lets Feet Talk for Him |work=The New York Times |last1=Yannis |first1=Alex |date=23 June 1994 |accessdate=11 April 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/internationals/7717006.stm |title=When Hansen came up against Maradona |publisher=BBC Sport |last1=Hansen |first1=Alan |date=18 November 2008 |accessdate=11 April 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.marca.com/en/football/barcelona/2019/12/09/5deea64622601d84558b4632.html |title=Menotti's scouting report for Barcelona on Maradona |publisher=Marca |date=9 December 2019 |accessdate=11 April 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/sports/1981/08/09/maradona/167d4752-8af3-4631-a418-4e8a92e4b6ff/ |title=!Maradona! |work=The Washington Post |last1=Gorney |first1=Cynthia |date=9 August 1981 |accessdate=11 April 2020}}</ref> He is regarded by several pundits and football figures as one of the greatest dribblers in the history of the game;<ref name="spectacular to scandalous"/><ref name="Perfect 10s"/><ref name="Greatest Dribblers">{{cite web |url=http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1037524-50-greatest-dribblers-in-world-football-history |title=50 Greatest Dribblers in World Football History |website=Bleacher Report |author1=Allan Jiang |date=25 January 2012 |accessdate=22 December 2017}}</ref><ref name="Joy of Six">{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/blog/2010/oct/15/the-joy-of-six-great-dribbles |title=The Joy of Six: Great dribbles |newspaper=The Guardian |author1=Scott Murray |date=15 October 2010 |accessdate=14 February 2017}}</ref> former Dutch player [[Johan Cruyff]] saw similarities between Maradona and [[Lionel Messi]] with the ball seemingly attached to their body when dribbling.<ref>[http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/news/Lionel-Messi-hailed-as-world-treasure-by-Johan-Cruyff-fellow-Barcelona-legend-article881245.html "Messi's a world treasure says Johan Cruyff"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120426041440/http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/news/Lionel-Messi-hailed-as-world-treasure-by-Johan-Cruyff-fellow-Barcelona-legend-article881245.html |date=26 April 2012 }}. The Mirror. Retrieved 1 August 2014</ref> His physical strengths were illustrated by his two goals against Belgium in the 1986 World Cup. Although he was known for his penchant for undertaking individual runs with the ball,<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.nbcwashington.com/news/sports/nbcsports/we-missed-the-premier-league-too-the-legendary-career-of-thierry-henry/2343423/ |title=We Missed the Premier League, Too: The Legendary Career of Thierry Henry |work=NBC4 Washington |date=24 June 2020 |accessdate=29 June 2020}}</ref> he was also a strategist and an intelligent team player, with excellent spatial awareness, as well as being highly technical with the ball. He could manage himself effectively in limited spaces, and would attract defenders only to quickly dash out of the melee (as in the second 1986-goal against England),<ref name="destroyed Diego"/><ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/photo_galleries/3639075.stm Maradona's World Cup magic]. BBC Sport (19 April 2004). Retrieved 18 August 2006.</ref><ref name="Recall the best not the worst of Maradona">{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2004/apr/20/sport.comment1 |title=Recall the best not the worst of Maradona, says David Lacey |work=The Guardian |last1=Staff |first1=Guardian |date=19 April 2004 |accessdate=29 June 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.goal.com/en/news/mythbuster-messi-maradona-win-world-cup/p2c79lru48oi1b2cbsdvazjy4 |title=Mythbuster: 'Messi is not Maradona' - Did Diego win the World Cup on his own? |publisher=Goal.com |last1=Doyle |first1=Mark |date=27 March 2020 |accessdate=29 June 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last1=Lowenstein |first1=Stephen |title=My First Movie, Take Two: Ten Celebrated Directors Talk About Their First Film |date=2009 |publisher=Knopf Doubleday Publishing Group |isbn=978-1-4000-7990-2 |page=xi |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=7GR4VNVYyO0C&q=maradona+%22spatial+awareness%22&pg=PR11 |accessdate=29 June 2020 |language=en}}</ref> or give an assist to a free teammate. Being short, but strong, he could hold the ball long enough with a defender on his back to wait for a teammate making a run or to find a gap for a quick shot. He showed leadership qualities on the field and captained Argentina in their World Cup campaigns of 1986, 1990 and 1994.<ref>[https://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2014/may/29/world-cup-top-100-pele-maradona "World Cup’s top 100 footballers: how to choose between Pelé and Maradona?"]. The Guardian. Retrieved 24 June 2014</ref><ref>John H Kerr (2004). "Motivation And Emotion in Sport". p. 2. Taylor & Francis,</ref> While he was primarily a creative playmaker, Maradona was also known for his finishing and goalscoring ability.<ref name="number 10"/><ref>{{cite web |url=https://medium.com/sportstalkfeed/top-20-soccer-players-of-all-time-5342c4fd56bf |title=Top 20 Soccer Players of All-Time |publisher=Medium |last1=Zavala |first1=Steve |date=17 August 2017 |accessdate=11 April 2020}}</ref> Former Milan manager [[Arrigo Sacchi]] also praised Maradona for his defensive work–rate off the ball in a 2010 interview with ''[[Il Corriere dello Sport]]''.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.corrieredellosport.it/serie_a/napoli/2010/10/30-136383/Sacchi:+«Maradona+il+più+grande.+Il+Milan+voleva+prenderlo» |title=Sacchi: "Maradona il più grande Il Milan voleva prenderlo" |work=Il Corriere dello Sport |language=Italian |date=30 October 2010 |accessdate=12 April 2020 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20131026005429/http://www.corrieredellosport.it/serie_a/napoli/2010/10/30-136383/Sacchi%3A+%C2%ABMaradona+il+pi%C3%B9+grande.+Il+Milan+voleva+prenderlo%C2%BB |archivedate=26 October 2013 |url-status=dead}}</ref>
 
[[File:Panini maradona supersport.jpg|thumb|upright|left|[[Association football trading card|Trading card]] of Maradona issued by [[Panini Group|Panini]] for the 1986 World Cup]]
The [[Captain (association football)|team leader]] on and off the field – he would speak up on a range of issues on behalf of the players – Maradona's ability as a player and his overpowering personality had a major positive effect on his team, with his 1986 World Cup teammate [[Jorge Valdano]] stating: "Maradona was a technical leader: a guy who resolved all difficulties that may come up on the pitch. Firstly, he was in charge of making the miracles happen, that's something that gives team-mates a lot of confidence. Secondly, the scope of his celebrity was such that he absorbed all the pressures on behalf of his team-mates. What I mean is: one slept soundly the night before a game not just because you knew you were playing next to Diego and Diego did things no other player in the world could do, but also because unconsciously we knew that if it was the case that we lost then Maradona would shoulder more of the burden, would be blamed more, than the rest of us. That was the kind of influence he exercised on the team."<ref>{{cite news |title=Does Diego still have the touch of a leader? |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2008/nov/18/diego-maradona-argentina |accessdate=28 July 2018 |work=The Guardian}}</ref> Lauding the "charisma" of Maradona, another of his Argentina teammates, prolific striker [[Gabriel Batistuta]], stated, "Diego could command a stadium, have everyone watch him. I played with him and I can tell you how technically decisive he was for the team".<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/messi-lacks-maradonas-charisma-claims-batistuta#5TvMcZMsZqydgcwd.99 |title=Messi lacks Maradona's charisma, claims Batistuta |work=Four Four Two |date=23 March 2018 |accessdate=15 August 2018}}</ref> Napoli's former president – Corrado Ferlaino – commented on Maradona's leadership qualities during his time with the club in 2008, describing him as "a coach on the pitch."<ref>{{cite news |url=https://st.ilsole24ore.com/art/SoleOnLine4/Sport/graffiti-di-sport/graffiti-sport-30-ottobre_PRN.shtml |title=Maradona, il ct dei sogni che può vincere il Mondiale |work=Il Sole 24 Ore |language=Italian |last1=Genta |first1=Carlo |date=30 October 2008 |accessdate=13 April 2020}}</ref>
 
{{Quote box|width=32%|align=right|quote="Even if I played for a million years, I'd never come close to Maradona. Not that I'd want to anyway. He's the greatest there's ever been."|source=—[[Lionel Messi]], the player most closely identified with the "[[New Maradona]]" label<ref name="Maradona FIFA">[https://www.fifa.com/news/maradona-others-see-him-1326223 "Maradona, as others see him"]. FIFA.com. Retrieved 17 November 2013</ref> }}
 
One of Maradona's trademark moves was dribbling full-speed on the right wing, and on reaching the opponent's goal line, delivering accurate passes to his teammates. Another trademark was the ''[[rabona]]'', a reverse-cross pass shot behind the leg that holds all the weight.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.fifa.com/news/y=2011/m=10/news=enraptured-rabonas-1527054.html |title=Enraptured by 'rabonas' |publisher=FIFA.com |date=24 October 2014 |accessdate=9 April 2016}}</ref> This manoeuvre led to several assists, such as the cross for [[Ramón Díaz]]'s header against [[Switzerland national football team|Switzerland]] in 1980.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.espnfc.us/story/1300129/first-xi-the-art-of-rabona |title=The art of rabona |publisher=ESPN FC |author1=Robin Hackett |date=17 January 2013 |accessdate=9 April 2016}}</ref> He was also a dangerous [[Direct free kick|free kick]] and [[Penalty kick (association football)|penalty kick]] taker, who was renowned for his ability to [[Curl (football)|bend]] the ball from corners and direct set pieces.<ref>[http://uk.reuters.com/article/2010/06/19/us-soccer-world-maradona-idUSTRE65I0RB20100619 "Free kick expert Maradona leads by example"]. Reuters. Retrieved 19 May 2014</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.fifa.com/news/y=2009/m=7/news=tension-from-yards-1086121.html |title=Tension from 12 yards |publisher=FIFA.com |date=31 July 2009 |accessdate=9 April 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-1986-06-25-8602150468-story.html |title=Soccer Celebrates its 'San' Diego |work=The Chicago Tribune |last1=Hersh |first1=Phil |date=25 June 1986 |accessdate=8 April 2020}}</ref> Regarded as one of the best dead–ball specialists of all time,<ref name="Kings">[https://www.fifa.com/newscentre/features/news/newsid=1551015/index.html "Kings of the free-kick"]. FIFA.com. Retrieved 20 May 2014</ref><ref name="Greatest Free-Kick Takers of All Time">{{cite web |url=https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2686617-where-does-lionel-messi-rank-among-the-greatest-free-kick-takers-of-all-time#slide6 |title=Where Does Lionel Messi Rank Among the Greatest Free-Kick Takers of All Time? |publisher=bleacherreport.com |first=Karl |last=Matchett |date=6 February 2017 |accessdate=30 April 2019}}</ref><ref name="completo">{{cite news |url=http://archiviostorico.gazzetta.it/1999/gennaio/26/Zola_applaude_Mihajlovic_piu_completo_ga_0_990126710.shtml |title=Zola applaude Mihajlovic: "E' il piu' completo" |trans-title=Zola applauds Mihajlovic: "He is the most complete" |work=La Gazzetta dello Sport |language=Italian |last1=Giancarlo |first1=Galavotti |date=26 January 1999 |accessdate=8 April 2020}}</ref><ref name="best freekick takers in football history">{{cite web |url=https://www.marca.com/en/football/barcelona/2018/09/20/5ba2969c268e3e35188b45ad.html |title=Messi and the other best freekick takers in football history |publisher=Marca |last1=Lara |first1=Lorenzo |last2=Mogollo |first2=Álvaro |last3=Wilson |first3=Emily |date=20 September 2018 |accessdate=8 April 2020}}</ref> his free kick technique, which often saw him raise his knee at a high angle when striking the ball, thus enabling him to lift it high over the wall, allowed him to score free kicks even from close range, within 22 to 17 yards (20 to 16 metres) from the goal, or even just outside the penalty area.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://archiviostorico.corriere.it/1995/ottobre/24/Del_Piero_Tira_alla_Platini_co_0_951024456.shtml |title=Del Piero? Tira alla Platini |publisher=Il Corriere della Sera |language=Italian |date=24 October 1995 |page=44|archive-url=https://archive.today/20151106152619/http://archiviostorico.corriere.it/1995/ottobre/24/Del_Piero_Tira_alla_Platini_co_0_951024456.shtml|archive-date=6 November 2015}}</ref> His style of taking free kicks influenced several other specialists, including [[Gianfranco Zola]],<ref name="completo"/> [[Andrea Pirlo]],<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.football-italia.net/46640/free-kick-master-pirlo |title=Free-kick master Pirlo |publisher=Football Italia |last=Cetta |first=Luca |date=19 March 2014 |accessdate=8 April 2020}}</ref> and Lionel Messi.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/tomsanderson/2019/11/10/dead-ball-genius-how-messi-learned-from-maradona-ronaldinho-and-deco-to-become-the-games-greatest-free-kick-taker/#67633c24679b |title=Dead Ball Genius: How Messi Learned From Maradona, Ronaldinho And Deco To Become The Game's Greatest Free-Kick Taker |work=Forbes |last1=Sanderson |first1=Tom |date=10 November 2019 |accessdate=8 April 2020}}</ref>
 
[[File:Maradona messi creacion adan.jpg|thumb|left|300px|Maradona and [[Lionel Messi]] (left) depicted in a recreation of [[Michelangelo]]'s ''[[The Creation of Adam]]'' painting, on a ceiling of a sports club in [[Barracas, Buenos Aires]]]]
Maradona was famous for his cunning personality.<ref>[https://www.theguardian.com/football/2008/oct/30/argentina-maradona-football-manager-rehab "El maestro Maradona: football legend to be Argentina manager"]. The Guardian. Retrieved 19 May 2014</ref> Inherent within his nickname "El Pibe de Oro" ("Golden Boy") is a sense of mischief, with "pibe" being an anti-establishment rogue, street smart and full of guile.<ref name="Pibe"/> Some critics view his controversial "Hand of God" goal at the 1986 World Cup as a clever manoeuvre, with one of the opposition players, Glenn Hoddle, admitting that Maradona had disguised it by flicking his head at the same time as palming the ball.<ref>Geoff Tibballs (2003). "Great Sporting Scandals". p. 227. Robson, 2003</ref> The goal itself has been viewed as an embodiment of the Buenos Aires shanty town Maradona was brought up in and its concept of ''viveza criolla'' — "native cunning".<ref>[http://www.smh.com.au/sport/football/maradona-scores-1800aseat-ticket-sales-proving-the-bad-boys-of-sport-are-hard-to-match-20120511-1yi1y.html#ixzz327PbCwNs "Maradona scores $1800-a-seat ticket sales, proving the bad boys of sport are hard to match"]. Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 19 May 2014</ref> While critical of the illegitimate first goal, England striker [[Gary Lineker]] conceded, "When Diego scored that second goal against us, I felt like applauding. I'd never felt like that before, but it's true... and not just because it was such an important game. It was impossible to score such a beautiful goal. He's the greatest player of all time, by a long way. A genuine phenomenon."<ref name="Quotes">[https://www.fifa.com/classicfootball/players/player=174732/quotes.html "Diego Maradona – I was there"]. FIFA.com. Retrieved 23 June 2014</ref> Maradona used his hand in the 1990 World Cup, again without punishment, and this time on his own goal line, to prevent the [[Soviet Union national football team|Soviet Union]] from scoring.<ref>[https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2009/jun/13/diego-maradona-other-hand-ball "13 June 1990: Diego Maradona's other World Cup handball"]. ''The Guardian''. Retrieved 3 February 2015</ref> A number of publications have referred to Maradona as the [[Artful Dodger]], the urchin pickpocket from [[Charles Dickens]]' ''Oliver Twist''.<ref>[http://www.esquire.co.uk/culture/sport/6353/world-cup-legends-2-diego-maradona/ "World Cup Legends #1: Diego Maradona"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150203100233/http://www.esquire.co.uk/culture/sport/6353/world-cup-legends-2-diego-maradona/ |date=3 February 2015 }}. Esquire. Retrieved 3 February 2015</ref><ref>[https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/international/3459830/Diego-Maradona-writes-another-chapter-in-a-turbulent-life-Football.html "Argentina coach Diego Maradona writes another chapter in a turbulent life"]. The Telegraph. Retrieved 3 February 2015</ref><ref>Taylor, Chris (9 November 2005). [https://www.theguardian.com/football/2005/nov/06/sport.argentina "A Big Hand"]. The Guardian. Retrieved 3 February 2015</ref><ref>Jimmy Burns (2011). "Maradona: The Hand of God". p. 17. A&C Black</ref>
 
Maradona was dominantly left-footed, often using his left foot even when the ball was positioned more suitably for a right-footed connection.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://ricerca.repubblica.it/repubblica/archivio/repubblica/2006/11/13/rabona-tocco-magico-di-diego.html |title=Rabona, ' o tocco magico di Diego|trans-title=Rabona, Diego's magic touch |newspaper=La Repubblica |language=Italian |author1=Marco Azzi |date=13 November 2006 |accessdate=9 April 2016}}</ref> His first goal against Belgium in the 1986 World Cup semi-final is a worthy indicator of such; he had run into the inside right channel to receive a pass but let the ball travel across to his left foot, requiring more technical ability. During his run past several England players in the previous round for the "Goal of the Century" he did not use his right foot once, despite spending the whole movement on the right-hand side of the pitch. In the [[1990 FIFA World Cup|1990 World Cup]] second round tie against Brazil, he did use his right foot to set up the winning goal for Claudio Caniggia due to two Brazilian markers forcing him into a position that made use of his left foot less practical.<ref>Brian Glanville (2010). "The Story of the World Cup: The Essential Companion to South Africa 2010". p. 320. Faber & Faber</ref>
 
===Reception===
{{Quote|[[Pelé]] scored more goals. [[Lionel Messi]] has won more trophies. Both have lived more stable lives than the overweight former cocaine addict who tops this list, whose relationship with football became increasingly strained the longer his career continued. If you’ve seen Diego Maradona with a football at his feet, you’ll understand.|Andrew Murray on Maradona topping ''[[FourFourTwo]]'' magazine's "100 Greatest Footballers Ever" list, July 2017.<ref name="Murray">{{cite news |url=https://www.fourfourtwo.com/features/fourfourtwos-100-greatest-footballers-ever-no1-diego-maradona |title=FourFourTwo's 100 Greatest Footballers EVER: No.1, Diego Maradona |agency=FourFourTwo |last=Murray |first=Andrew |date=26 September 2017 |access-date=29 September 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170929135411/https://www.fourfourtwo.com/features/fourfourtwos-100-greatest-footballers-ever-no1-diego-maradona |archive-date=29 September 2017 |url-status=dead}}</ref>}}
 
Regarded as the best player of his generation,<ref name="Recall the best not the worst of Maradona"/> as well as one of the greatest players of all time by several pundits, players, and managers, and by some as the best player ever,<ref name="SI"/><ref name="Maradona FIFA"/><ref name="Murray"/><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/jonathanstevenson/2010/10/pele_or_maradona_who_is_the_gr.html |title=Pele or Maradona, who is the greatest? |publisher=BBC Sport |date=22 October 2010 |accessdate=5 June 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.fourfourtwo.com/features/diego-maradona-best-moments-argentina-napoli-barcelona-greatest-player-all-time |title=10 of Diego Maradona's best moments: the greatest player of all time? |publisher=FourFourTwo |last1=Brewin |first1=Joe |date=25 February 2020 |accessdate=5 June 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://bleacherreport.com/articles/6784-pel-or-diego-maradona-who-is-the-greatest-soccer-player-of-all-time |title=Pelé or Diego Maradona: Who is the Greatest Soccer Player of All Time? |publisher=Bleacher Report |last1=Vinay |first1=Adarsh |date=16 January 2008 |accessdate=5 June 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.eurosport.com/football/the-top-five-players-of-all-time-where-does-johan-cruyff-rank-on-our-list-of-greats_sto5380373/story.shtml |title=The top five players of all time - where does Johan Cruyff rank on our list of greats? |publisher=Eurosport |last1=Kane |first1=Desmond |date=23 March 2016 |accessdate=5 June 2020}}</ref> Maradona is renowned as one of the most skilful players in the history of football,<ref name="number 10"/><ref name="Political Psychology"/><ref name="People on People"/> as well as being considered one of the greatest dribblers<ref name="spectacular to scandalous"/><ref name="Perfect 10s"/><ref name="Greatest Dribblers"/><ref name="Joy of Six"/> and free kick takers in the history of the sport.<ref name="Kings"/><ref name="Greatest Free-Kick Takers of All Time"/><ref name="completo"/><ref name="best freekick takers in football history"/> Considered to be a precocious talent in his youth,<ref name="Pibe"/> in addition to his playing ability, Maradona also drew praise from his former manager Menotti for his dedication, determination, and the work-ethic he demonstrated in order to improve the technical aspect of his game in training, despite his natural gifts, with the manager noting: "I'm always cautious about using the word 'genius'. I find it hard to apply that even to Mozart. The beauty of Diego's game has a hereditary element – his natural ease with the ball – but it also owes a lot to his ability to learn: a lot of those brushstrokes, those strokes of 'genius', are in fact a product of his hard work. Diego worked very hard to be the best."<ref name="diet">{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/observer/osm/story/0,,1677834,00.html |title=That's one hell of a diet, Diego |work=The Guardian |date=8 January 2006 |accessdate=13 April 2020}}</ref> Maradona's former Napoli manager – [[Ottavio Bianchi]] – also praised his discipline in training, commenting: "Diego is different to the one that they depict. When you got him on his own he was a very good kid. It was beautiful to watch him and coach him. They all speak of the fact that he did not train, but it was not true because Diego was the last person to leave the pitch, it was necessary to send him away because otherwise he would stay for hours to invent free kicks."<ref>{{cite news |url=https://napoli.repubblica.it/sport/2018/05/08/news/i_mille_colori_di_maradona_in_bianco_e_nero-195826443/ |title=I mille colori di Maradona in bianco e nero |work=La Repubblica |language=Italian |last1=Marino |first1=Giovanni |date=8 May 2018 |accessdate=13 April 2020}}</ref> However, although, as Bianchi noted, Maradona was known for making "great plays" and doing "unimaginable" and "incredible things" with the ball during training sessions,<ref name="racconta"/><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bresciaoggi.it/home/sport/brescia-calcio/bianchi-passione-e-rigore-di-un-vincente-1.6804924 |title=Bianchi, passione e rigore di un vincente |work=Brescia Oggi |language=Italian |last1=Corbetta |first1=Vincenzo |date=4 October 2018 |accessdate=14 April 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.tuttonapoli.net/le-interviste/bianchi-messi-gioca-in-un-barcellona-perfetto-mentre-diego-86837 |title=Bianchi: "Messi? Gioca in un Barcellona perfetto, mentre Diego..." |work=Tutto Napoli |language=Italian |date=9 March 2012 |accessdate=14 April 2020}}</ref> and would even go through periods of rigorous exercise, he was equally known for his limited work-rate in training without the ball, and even gained a degree of infamy during his time in Italy for missing training sessions with Napoli, while he often trained independently instead of with his team.<ref name="racconta">{{cite web |url=https://sport.sky.it/calcio/serie-a/2018/02/12/napoli-carnevale-maradona-partita- |title=Napoli, Carnevale racconta: "Maradona una volta si presentò un'ora prima di giocare" |publisher=sport.sky.it |language=Italian |date=12 February 2018 |accessdate=13 April 2020}}</ref><ref name="Maradona movie"/><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1990/05/27/magazine/soccer-s-little-big-man.html |title=Soccer's Little Big Man |work=The New York Times |last1=Vecsey |first1=George |date=27 May 1990 |accessdate=13 April 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/3276/serie-a/2011/06/10/2526528/diego-maradona-made-excuses-to-dodge-napoli-training-luciano |title=Diego Maradona made excuses to dodge Napoli training - Luciano Moggi |publisher=Goal.com |last1=Landolina |first1=Salvatore |date=10 June 2011 |accessdate=13 April 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.fourfourtwo.com/features/marcel-desailly-perfect-xi |title=Marcel Desailly: Perfect XI |publisher=FourFourTwo |last1=Moore |first1=Nick |date=30 June 2007 |accessdate=13 April 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.corriere.it/sport/12_maggio_02/napoli-maradona-scudetto-libro-bellinazzo-garanzini-marco-letizia_1f256fb6-9469-11e1-ae3e-f83a8e51ff45.shtml |title=Il giorno che vinse tutta Napoli |work=Il Corriere della Sera |language=Italian |last1=Letizia |first1=Marco |date=2 May 2012 |accessdate=13 April 2020}}</ref>
 
In a 2019 documentary film on his life, Maradona confessed that his weekly regime consisted of "playing a game on Sunday, going out until Wednesday, then hitting the gym on Thursday." Regarding his inconsistent training regimen, the film's director, Asif Kapadia, commented in 2020: "He had a metabolism. He would look so incredibly out of shape, but then he’d train like crazy and sweat it off by the time matchday came along. His body shape just didn’t look like a footballer, but then he had this ability and this balance. He had a way of being, and that idea of talking to him honestly about how a typical week transpired was pretty amazing." He also revealed that Maradona was ahead of his time in the fact that he had a personal fitness coach – Fernando Signorini – who trained him in a variety of areas, in addition to looking after his physical conditioning, adding: "While he [Maradona] was in a football team he had his own regime. How many players would do that? How many players would even know to think like that? 'I’m different to anyone else so I need to train at what I’m good at and what I’m weak at.' Signorini is very well read and very intelligent. He would literally say, 'This is the way I’m going to train you, read this book.' He would help him psychologically, talk to him about philosophy, and things like that."<ref name="Maradona movie">{{cite web |url=https://www.fourfourtwo.com/us/features/diego-maradona-movie-watch-napoli-argentina-drugs-when-the-poorest-city-in-italy-bought-worlds-most-expensive-player |title=When the poorest city in Italy bought the world's most expensive player: What the Diego Maradona movie teaches us about one of football's greats |publisher=FourFourTwo |last1=Hill |first1=Steve |date=10 April 2020 |accessdate=13 April 2020}}</ref><ref name="Maradona film">{{cite news |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2020/03/22/maradona-magic-madness-takeaways-diegomaradona-film-channel/ |title=Maradona, the magic, the madness: takeaways from Diego Maradona film on Channel 4 |work=The Telegraph |last1=Tyers |first1=Alan |date=22 March 2020 |accessdate=14 April 2020}}</ref> Moreover, Maradona was notorious for his poor diet and extreme lifestyle off the pitch, including his use of illicit drugs and alcohol abuse, which along with personal issues, his metabolism, medication that he was prescribed, and periods of inactivity due to injuries and suspensions, led to his significant weight–gain and physical decline as his career progressed; his lack of discipline and difficulties in his turbulent personal life are thought by some in the sport to have negatively impacted his performances and longevity in the later years of his playing career.<ref name="destroyed Diego">{{cite news |url=https://nypost.com/2019/09/26/how-cocaine-fame-and-the-mafia-destroyed-diego-maradona/ |title=How cocaine, fame and the Mafia destroyed Diego Maradona |work=The New York Post |last1=Phull |first1=Hardeep |date=26 September 2019 |accessdate=13 April 2020}}</ref><ref name="diet"/><ref name="tragedy">{{cite news |url=https://www.newyorker.com/culture/culture-desk/the-tragedy-of-diego-maradona-one-of-soccers-greatest-stars |title=The Tragedy of Diego Maradona, One of Soccer's Greatest Stars |work=The New Yorker |last1=Alarcón |first1=Daniel |date=13 October 2019 |accessdate=13 April 2020}}</ref>
 
A controversial footballing figure, while he earned critical acclaim from players, pundits, and managers over his playing style, he also drew criticism in the media for his temper and confrontational behaviour, both on and off the pitch.<ref name="racconta"/><ref name="tragedy"/><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/voices/diego-maradona-world-cup-argentina-england-falklands-war-patriotism-a8419006.html |title=The reason we English dislike Maradona so much is because we've never got over the Falklands War |work=The Independent |last1=Gore |first1=Will |date=27 June 2018 |accessdate=13 April 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.ctvnews.ca/germany-hammers-argentina-4-0-to-reach-world-cup-semis-1.528881 |title=Germany hammers Argentina 4-0 to reach World Cup semis |work=CTV News |date=3 July 2010 |accessdate=13 April 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.corriere.it/sette/comportamenti/19_novembre_29/diego-maradona-fenomenologia-campione-contraddizioni-ecb71ac2-0ed9-11ea-b3dc-1023409a22e2.shtml |title=Diego Maradona, fenomenologia del campione delle contraddizioni |work=Il Corriere della Sera |language=Italian |last1=Pellizzari |first1=Tommaso |date=29 November 2019 |accessdate=13 April 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.ultimouomo.com/maradona-estate-89/ |title=L'estate '89 di Diego Armando Maradona |publisher=www.ultimouomo.com |language=Italian |last1=Gaetani |first1=Marco |date=4 September 2019 |accessdate=13 April 2020}}</ref> However, in 2005, Paolo Maldini, described Maradona both as the greatest player he ever faced, and also as the most honest, stating: "He was a model of good behaviour on the pitch – he was respectful of everyone, from the great players down to the ordinary team member. He was always getting kicked around and he never complained – not like some of today's strikers."<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/evergreen-maldini-still-the-soul-of-the-rossoneri-1.407203 |title=Evergreen Maldini still the soul of the Rossoneri |work=The Irish Times |last1=Agnew |first1=Paddy |date=18 January 2005 |accessdate=13 April 2020}}</ref> His former defensive club and international teammate, Baresi, stated when he was asked who was his greatest opponent: "Maradona; when he was on form, there was almost no way of stopping him,"<ref name="Baresi: One-on-One"/> while fellow former Italy defender [[Giuseppe Bergomi]] described Maradona as the greatest player of all time in 2018.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.corrieredellosport.it/news/calcio/serie-a/inter/2018/11/22-50234858/ho_pianto_per_radice_maradona_il_piu_forte_di_sempre_ma_a_van_basten_e_stato_ancora_piu_difficile_prendere_la_palla/ |title=Ho pianto per Radice. Maradona il più forte di sempre, ma a Van Basten è stato ancora più difficile prendere la palla |work=Il Corriere dello Sport |language=Italian |date=22 November 2018 |accessdate=4 November 2019}}</ref>
 
In 1999, Maradona was placed second behind Pelé by ''World Soccer'' in the magazine's list of the "100 Greatest Players of the 20th Century."<ref name="World Soccer Players of the Century">{{cite web |url=http://www.englandfootballonline.com/TeamHons/HonsWldSocPlyrsCent.html |title=World Soccer Players of the Century |publisher=World Soccer |accessdate=29 August 2014}}</ref> Along with Pelé, Maradona was one of the two joint winners of the "FIFA Player of the Century" award in 2000,<ref name="FIFA Player of the Century"/> and also placed fifth in "IFFHS' Century Elections."<ref name="IFFHS' Century Elections"/> In a 2014 FIFA poll, Maradona was voted the second-greatest number 10 of all-time, behind only Pelé,<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.gazzetta.it/Calcio/Estero/02-03-2014/pele-piu-forte-maradona-zidane-3-baggio-9-migliori-10-secondo-fifa-80158538791.shtml |title=Pelè è più forte di Maradona, Zidane 3°, Baggio 9°: i migliori 10 secondo la Fifa|trans-title=Pelè better than Maradona, Zidane 3rd, Baggio 9th: the best 10s according to FIFA |newspaper=La Gazzetta dello Sport |language=Italian |date=2 March 2014 |accessdate=24 September 2014}}</ref> and later that year, was ranked second in ''The Guardian'''s list of the 100 greatest World Cup players of all-time, ahead of the [[2014 FIFA World Cup|2014 World Cup]] in Brazil, once again behind Pelé.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/news/datablog/2014/may/29/the-world-cups-top-100-footballers-by-nationality-goals-scored-and-votes |title=The World Cup's top 100 footballers: by nationality, goals scored and votes |newspaper=The Guardian |author1=George Arnett |author2=Ami Sedghi |date=29 May 2014 |accessdate=3 December 2016}}</ref> In 2017, ''FourFourTwo'' ranked him in first place in their list of "100 greatest players,"<ref name="Murray"/> while in 2018, he was ranked in first place by the same magazine in their list of the "Greatest Football Players in World Cup History";<ref name="Greatest Football Players in World Cup History"/> in March 2020, he was also ranked first by Jack Gallagher of ''[[90min.com]]'' in their list of "Top 50 Greatest Players of All Time."<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.90min.com/posts/6583929-diego-maradona-the-extremes-of-footballing-morality-the-greatest-of-all-time |title=Diego Maradona: The Extremes of Footballing Morality & the Greatest of All Time |publisher=www.90min.com |last1=Gallagher |first1=Jack |date=27 March 2020 |accessdate=5 June 2020}}</ref> In May 2020, ''[[Sky Sports]]'' ranked him as the best player ever never to have won the [[UEFA Champions League|Champions League]] or European Cup.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.skysports.com/transfer/news/11096/11996951/25-1-best-players-never-to-win-champions-league |title=Ronaldo, Eric Cantona, Zlatan Ibrahimovic: The best players never to win Champions League 25-1 |publisher=Sky Sports |last1=Solhekol |first1=Kaveh |last2=Sheth |first2=Dharmesh |date=30 May 2020 |accessdate=1 June 2020}}</ref>
 
==Retirement and honours==
[[File:Maradona Barcelona shirt.jpg|thumb|right|Diego Maradona's ''blaugrana'' shirt on display in the [[FC Barcelona Museum]]]]
Hounded for years by the press, Maradona once fired a [[air rifle|compressed-air rifle]] at reporters who he claimed were invading his privacy. This quote from former teammate [[Jorge Valdano]] summarizes the feelings of many:
{{quote|He is someone many people want to emulate, a controversial figure, loved, hated, who stirs great upheaval, especially in Argentina... Stressing his personal life is a mistake. Maradona has no peers inside the pitch, but he has turned his life into a show, and is now living a personal ordeal that should not be imitated.<!--Es un personaje al que mucha gente quiere imitar, un personaje polémico, amado, odiado, que provoca gran convulsión social, sobre todo en Argentina... El error está en poner el acento sobre su vida privada. Maradona es incomparable dentro de un campo de juego, pero también ha convertido en espectáculo su vida y ahora está viviendo un drama personal que conviene no imitar.--><ref>[http://www.el-mundo.es/larevista/num103/textos/valdano1.html Interview with Jorge Valdano]. el-mundo.es (2001) (in Spanish).</ref>}}
 
In 1990, the [[Konex Foundation]] from Argentina granted him the Diamond [[Konex Award]], one of the most prestigious culture awards in Argentina, as the most important personality in Sports in the last decade in his country. In 2000, Maradona published his autobiography ''Yo Soy El Diego'' ("I am ''The Diego''"), which became a best-seller in Argentina.<ref>[https://archive.today/20030512214724/http://www.wndu.com/sports/122000/sports_5111.php Maradona 'tells all' in autobiography]. Associated Press. 20 December 2000.</ref> Two years later, Maradona donated the Cuban royalties of his book to "the [[Cuba]]n people and [[Fidel Castro|Fidel]]".<ref>Garcia, Anne-Marie (21 February 2002) [https://web.archive.org/web/20061013215035/http://www.granma.cu/ingles/febrero02-3/8diego-i.html Maradona donates royalties from Cuban edition of his book]. granma.cu.</ref>
[[File:Maradona Soccer Aid 2.jpg|thumb|upright|left|Maradona at the Soccer Aid charity game at [[Old Trafford]], Manchester in May 2006, after losing weight]]
In 2000, he won [[FIFA Player of the Century]] award which was to be decided by votes on their official website, their official magazine and a grand jury. Maradona won the Internet-based poll, garnering 53.6% of the votes against 18.53% for [[Pelé]].<ref>[http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/soccer/news/2000/12/10/maradona_pele_ap/ "Maradona or Pele?"]. CNN Sports Illustrated. Retrieved 26 June 2014</ref> In spite of this, and shortly before the ceremony, FIFA added a second award and appointed a "Football Family" committee composed of football journalists that also gave to Pelé the title of best player of the century to make it a draw. Maradona also came fifth in the vote of the IFFHS (International Federation of Football History and Statistics).<ref name="IFFHS' Century Elections">[http://www.rsssf.com/miscellaneous/iffhs-century.html#worldpoc IFFHS' Century Elections]. Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation.com (30 January 2000). Retrieved 31 March 2013.</ref> In 2001, the [[Argentine Football Association]] (AFA) asked FIFA for authorization to [[Retired numbers in football (soccer)|retire]] the [[jersey number]] 10 for Maradona. FIFA did not grant the request, even though Argentine officials have maintained that FIFA hinted that it would.<ref>[http://worldcup.espnsoccernet.com/story?id=211993&lang=us Argentina can't retire Maradona's shirt] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030325180425/http://worldcup.espnsoccernet.com/story?id=211993&lang=us |date=25 March 2003 }} ESPNsoccernet.com, 26 May 2002. Retrieved 18 August 2006.</ref>
 
Maradona has topped a number of fan polls, including a 2002 FIFA poll in which his second goal against England was chosen as the [[Goal of the Century|best goal ever scored in a World Cup]]; he also won the most votes in a poll to determine the All-Time Ultimate World Cup Team. On 22 March 2010, Maradona was chosen number 1 in The Greatest 10 [[FIFA World Cup|World Cup]] players of all time by the [[London]]-based newspaper ''[[The Times]]''.<ref>{{Cite news |url=http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/international/article7070370.ece |work=The Times |location=London |title=The ten greatest World Cup playersbr No 1 Diego Maradona Argentina |date=22 March 2010 |accessdate=1 April 2010 |first=Fiona |last=Hamilton}}</ref> [[Asociación Atlética Argentinos Juniors|Argentinos Juniors]] named its [[Estadio Diego Armando Maradona|stadium]] after Maradona on 26 December 2003. In 2003, Maradona was employed by the Libyan footballer [[Al-Saadi Gaddafi]], the third son of Colonel [[Muammar Gaddafi]], as a "technical consultant", while Al-Saadi was playing for the Italian club, [[Perugia Calcio|Perugia]], which was playing in Serie A at the time.<ref>White, Duncan (29 October 2011). "Jay Bothroyd puts good times with playboy Saadi Gaddafi, son of dead Libya tyrant Colonel Gaddafi, behind him". ''National Post''. Retrieved 31 March 2012</ref>
[[File:Maradona CRS.jpg|thumb|right|Maradona in [[Kolkata]], [[India]], in December 2008. Maradona laid the foundation stone for a football academy in the eastern suburbs of the city, and was greeted by over 100,000 fans in [[Salt Lake Stadium]].<ref name="India">[http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/south_asia/7770851.stm "Maradona sends Calcutta into frenzy"]. BBC. Retrieved 26 June 2014</ref>]]
On 22 June 2005, it was announced that Maradona would return to former club Boca Juniors as a sports vice-president in charge of managing the First Division roster (after a disappointing [[2004–05 in Argentine football|2004–05]] season, which coincided with Boca's centenary).<ref>[http://espndeportes.espn.go.com/story?id=349221 'El Diez emprende dos nuevos desafíos', ''ESPN Deportes''] (28 July 2005). Retrieved 17 August 2005.</ref> His contract began 1 August 2005, and one of his first recommendations proved to be very effective: advising the club to hire [[Alfio Basile]] as the new coach. With Maradona fostering a close relationship with the players, Boca won the 2005 [[Apertura]], the 2006 [[Clausura]], the [[Copa Sudamericana 2005|2005 Copa Sudamericana]] and the [[Recopa Sudamericana 2005|2005 Recopa Sudamericana]].
 
On 15 August 2005, Maradona made his debut as host of a talk-variety show on Argentine television, [[La Noche del 10]] ("The Night of the no. 10"). His main guest on opening night was Pelé; the two had a friendly chat, showing no signs of past differences. However, the show also included a cartoon villain with a clear physical resemblance to Pelé. In subsequent evenings, he led the ratings on all occasions but one. Most guests were drawn from the worlds of football and show business, including [[Ronaldo (Brazilian footballer)|Ronaldo]] and [[Zinedine Zidane]], but also included interviews with other notable friends and personalities such as Cuban leader [[Fidel Castro]] and boxers [[Roberto Durán]] and [[Mike Tyson]].<ref>[http://mensual.prensa.com/mensual/contenido/2005/09/21/hoy/deportes/345641.html "Roberto Durán estuvo con Diego Maradona"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140903102804/http://mensual.prensa.com/mensual/contenido/2005/09/21/hoy/deportes/345641.html |date=3 September 2014 }}. Prensa.com. Retrieved 2 September 2014</ref> Maradona gave each of his guests a signed Argentina jersey, which Tyson wore when he arrived in Brazil, Argentina's biggest rivals.<ref>[https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/11/11/AR2005111101352.html "Tyson Must Return to Brazil for Trial"]. Washington Post. Retrieved 13 May 2014</ref> In November 2005, however, Maradona rejected an offer to work with Argentina's national football team.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2005/11/10/sports/soccer/maradona-rejects-role-with-argentina-team.html |title=Maradona Rejects Role With Argentina Team |agency=Reuters |work=The New York Times |date=10 November 2005}}</ref>
 
In May 2006, Maradona agreed to take part in UK's [[Soccer Aid]] (a program to raise money for [[UNICEF]]).<ref>"[http://fifaworldcup.yahoo.com/06/en/060528/1/6y4e.html ''Maradona scores but England win UNICEF match''] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070318213807/http://fifaworldcup.yahoo.com/06/en/060528/1/6y4e.html |date=18 March 2007 }}", Yahoo!-FIFA</ref> In September 2006, Maradona, in his famous blue and white number 10, was the captain for Argentina in a three-day World Cup of Indoor Football tournament in Spain. On 26 August 2006, it was announced that Maradona was quitting his position in the club Boca Juniors because of disagreements with the AFA, who selected [[Alfio Basile]] to be the new coach of the Argentina national team.<ref>[https://www.fifa.com/en/WorldLeagues/index/0,4643,120577,00.html?articleid=120577 'El Diego quits his beloved Boca', ''FIFA News''] (26 August 2006). Retrieved 26 August 2006 . {{dead link|date=June 2016|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref> In 2008, award-winning [[Serbia]]n filmmaker [[Emir Kusturica]] made a documentary about Maradona's life, entitled ''[[Maradona by Kusturica|Maradona]]''.<ref name="Film">[https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/films/reviews/maradona-by-kusturica-831757.html "Maradona by Kusturica".]. The Independent. Retrieved 2 June 2014</ref>
 
On 1 September 2014, Maradona, along with many current and former footballing stars, took part in the "Match for Peace", which was played at the [[Stadio Olimpico]] in Rome, with the proceeds being donated entirely to charity.<ref>{{cite web |title=Interreligious Match for Peace: 1/9/2014 |url=http://www.matchforpeace.org/?lang=en |accessdate=1 September 2014 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140903092935/http://www.matchforpeace.org/?lang=en |archivedate=3 September 2014 |df=}}</ref> Maradona set up a goal for [[Roberto Baggio]] during the first half of the match, with a chipped through-ball over the defence with the outside of his left foot.<ref name="Gazetta"/> Unusually, both Baggio and Maradona wore the number 10 shirt, despite playing on the same team.<ref name="Gazetta">{{cite web |title=Il Papa a Maradona: "Ti aspettavo". Diego show con Baggio, poi si infuria: "Icardi non-doveva giocare" |url=http://www.gazzetta.it/Calcio/01-09-2014/calcio-partita-pace-baggio-dinho-eto-o-campo-il-papa-90323482706.shtml?rlabs=1 |accessdate=1 September 2014 |work=La Gazzetta dello Sport}}</ref> On 17 August 2015, Maradona visited [[Ali Bin Nasser]], the Tunisian referee of the Argentina–England quarter-final match at the 1986 World Cup where Maradona scored his [[The hand of God|Hand of God]], and paid tribute to him by giving him a signed Argentine jersey.<ref>{{citation |url=http://www.marca.com/en/2015/08/17/en/football/international_football/1439845054.html |title=29 Years on from the Infamous Argentina-England Match, Maradona holds up his hands in apology |work=Marca.com |date=17 August 2015}}</ref><ref>{{citation |url=http://elpais.com/elpais/2015/08/18/inenglish/1439899213_516413.html |title=Maradona visits Tunisian referee who awarded him 1986 "Hand of God" goal |work=El Pais |date=18 August 2015}}</ref>
 
==Managerial career==
 
===Club management===
[[File:Maradona at Karama-1.JPG|thumb|right|Maradona in [[Al Karama, Dubai|Al Karama]], [[United Arab Emirates]] in 2011 after being appointed manager of Dubai club [[Al Wasl FC]]]]
Maradona began his managerial career alongside former [[Argentinos Juniors]] midfield teammate [[Carlos Fren]]. The pair led [[Textil Mandiyú|Mandiyú]] of [[Corrientes Province|Corrientes]] in 1994 and [[Racing Club de Avellaneda|Racing Club]] in 1995, with little success. In May 2011 he became manager of Dubai club [[Al Wasl FC]] in the United Arab Emirates. Maradona was sacked on 10 July 2012.<ref>{{cite news |title=Diego Maradona fired as Al Wasl coach |url=http://www.sfgate.com/sports/article/Diego-Maradona-fired-as-Al-Wasl-coach-3696833.php |work=San Francisco Chronicle |date=10 July 2012 |accessdate=10 July 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/football/top-stories/Maradona-wants-to-hold-talks-to-save-Al-Wasl-job/articleshow/14832834.cms |title=Maradona wants to hold talks to save Al Wasl job |date=12 July 2012 |work=The Times of India}}</ref> In August 2013, Maradona moved on to become mental coach at Argentine club [[Deportivo Riestra]]. Maradona departed this role in 2017 to become the head coach of [[Al-Fujairah SC|Fujairah]], in the [[UAE First Division League|UAE second division]], before leaving at the end of the season upon failure to secure promotion at the club.<ref name="2017 coach"/> In September 2018 he was appointed manager of Mexican second division side [[Dorados de Sinaloa|Dorados]].<ref name="Mexican team"/> He made his debut with Dorados on 17 September 2018 with a 4–1 victory over [[Cafetaleros de Tapachula]].<ref>{{cite web |last1=Staff |title=Angulo hat-trick helps get Maradona off to winning start in Mexico |url=https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/sport/angulo-hat-trick-helps-get-maradona-off-to-winning-start-in-mexico-10731728 |website=Channel NewsAsia}}</ref> On 13 June 2019, after Dorados failed to clinch promotion to the Mexican top flight, Maradona's lawyer announced that he would be stepping down from the role, citing health reasons.<ref>{{cite news |title=Maradona out as Dorados manager, cites health |url=https://www.espn.co.uk/football/dorados-de-sinaloa/story/3875493/maradona-out-as-dorados-managercites-health |work=ESPN |date=14 June 2019 |accessdate=25 June 2019}}</ref>
 
On 5 September 2019, Maradona was unveiled as the new head coach of [[Club de Gimnasia y Esgrima La Plata|Gimnasia de La Plata]], signing a contract until the end of the season.<ref name="gimnasia" /> After two months in charge he left the club on 19 November.<ref>{{cite news |title=Diego Maradona leaves Gimnasia de La Plata after just two months |url=https://www.skysports.com/football/news/12026/11865340/diego-maradona-leaves-gimnasia-y-esgrima-after-just-two-months |accessdate=20 November 2019 |work=Sky Sports}}</ref> However, two days later, Maradona rejoined the club as manager saying that "we finally achieved political unity in the club".<ref>{{cite news |title=Diego Maradona announces Gimnasia return - two days after quitting |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/50514092 |accessdate=22 November 2019 |work=BBC}}</ref> Maradona insisted that Gabriel Pellegrino remain club President if he were to stay with Gimnisia de La Plata.<ref name=pellegrino /><ref name=pellegrinoer /> However it was still not clear if Pellegrino, who declined to run for re-election,<ref name=pellegrino /><ref name=pellegrinoer /> would stay on as club President.<ref name=pellegrino>{{cite news |url=https://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-soccer-argentina-maradona/maradona-to-stay-on-at-gimnasia-idUKKBN1XV2NE |title=Maradona to stay on at Gimnasia |first=Ramiro |last=Scandolo |publisher=Reuters |date=21 November 2019 |accessdate=26 November 2019}}</ref><ref name=pellegrinoer>{{cite news |url=https://sports.yahoo.com/maradona-returns-gimnasia-head-coach-095808541.html |title=Maradona returns as Gimnasia head coach, two days after stepping down |publisher=Yahoo Sports |date=22 November 2019 |accessdate=26 November 2019}}</ref> Originally scheduled to be held on 23 November 2019,<ref name=pellegrino /> the election was delayed 15 days.<ref name=pellegrinoer /> On 15 December 2019, Pellegrino, who was encouraged by Maradona to seek re-election, was re-elected to a three-year term.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/2019-12/16/c_138634325.htm |title=Maradona pledges future to Gimnasia after club elections - Xinhua &#124; English.news.cn |website=www.xinhuanet.com}}</ref> Despite having a bad record during the 2019–20 season, Gimnasia renewed Maradona's contract on 3 June 2020 through the 2020–21 season.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.espn.com/soccer/gimnasia-y-esgrima/story/4105921/maradona-keeps-gimnasia-gig-despite-season-struggles |title=Maradona keeps Gimnasia gig despite struggles |date=3 June 2020 |website=ESPN.com}}</ref>
 
===International management===
After the resignation of [[Argentina national football team|Argentina national team]] coach Alfio Basile in 2008, Maradona immediately proposed his candidacy for the vacant role. According to several press sources, his major challengers included [[Diego Simeone]], [[Carlos Bianchi]], [[Miguel Ángel Russo]] and [[Sergio Batista]]. On 29 October 2008, AFA chairman [[Julio Grondona]] confirmed that Maradona would be the head coach of the national team. On 19 November 2008, Maradona managed Argentina for the first time when they played against [[Scotland national football team|Scotland]] at [[Hampden Park]] in [[Glasgow]], which Argentina won 1–0.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/internationals/7731484.stm |title=Scotland 0–1 Argentina |first=Andy |last=Campbell |date=19 November 2008 |work=BBC Sport |accessdate=7 July 2010}}</ref>
 
[[File:DiegoMaradona.jpg|thumb|upright|left|Maradona as coach of Argentina in 2009. He left the position after the [[2010 FIFA World Cup]] in South Africa.]]
After winning his first three matches in charge of the national team, he oversaw a 6–1 defeat to [[Bolivia national football team|Bolivia]], equalling the team's worst ever margin of defeat. With two matches remaining in the [[2010 FIFA World Cup qualification (CONMEBOL)|qualification tournament]] for the 2010 World Cup, Argentina was in fifth place and faced the possibility of failing to qualify, but victory in the last two matches secured qualification for the finals.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://soccernet.espn.go.com/report?id=230075&cc=5739&league=FIFA.WORLDQ.CONMEBOL |title=Last-gasp Palermo wins it in the rain |date=10 October 2009 |publisher=ESPN |accessdate=15 October 2009}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |url=http://edition.cnn.com/2009/SPORT/football/10/14/football.samerica/index.html |title=Late winner puts Argentina in World Cup finals |date=14 October 2009 |publisher=CNN |accessdate=15 October 2009}}</ref> After Argentina's qualification, Maradona used abusive language at the live post-game press conference, telling members of the media to "suck it and keep on sucking it".<ref>{{cite web |author=World Cup 2010 |url=http://www.goal.com/en/news/1863/world-cup-2010/2009/10/15/1562544/diego-maradona-tells-press-to-suck-it-after-argentina |title=Diego Maradona Tells Press To 'Suck It' After Argentina Triumph Over Uruguay |publisher=Goal.com |date=15 October 2009 |accessdate=12 June 2010}}</ref> FIFA responded with a two-month ban on all footballing activity, which expired on 15 January 2010, and a [[Swiss franc|CHF]] 25,000 fine, with a warning as to his future conduct.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/internationals/8311013.stm |title=Maradona hit with two-month ban |work=BBC Sport |accessdate=15 November 2009 |date=15 November 2009 |location=London}}</ref> The friendly match scheduled to take place at home to the [[Czech Republic national football team|Czech Republic]] on 15 December, during the period of the ban, was cancelled. The only match Argentina played during Maradona's ban was a friendly away to [[Catalonia national football team|Catalonia]], which they lost 4–2.
 
At the [[2010 FIFA World Cup|World Cup finals]] in June 2010, Argentina started by winning 1–0 against [[Nigeria national football team|Nigeria]], followed by a 4–1 victory over [[South Korea national football team|South Korea]] on the strength of a [[Gonzalo Higuaín]] hat-trick.<ref>{{cite news |first=Phil |last=Dawkes |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/world_cup_2010/matches/match_04/default.stm |title=Argentina 1–0 Nigeria |date=12 June 2010 |work=BBC Sport |accessdate=17 June 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |first=Jonathan |last=Stevenson |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/world_cup_2010/matches/match_18/default.stm |title=Argentina 4–1 South Korea |date=17 June 2010 |work=BBC Sport |accessdate=17 June 2010}}</ref> In the final match of the group stage, Argentina won 2–0 against [[Greece national football team|Greece]] to win the group and advance to a second round, meeting [[Mexico national football team|Mexico]].<ref>{{Cite news |url=http://soccernet.espn.go.com/report?id=264042&league=FIFA.WORLD&cc=5739&ver=global |title=Maradona's men in top spot |date=22 June 2010 |work=[[ESPNsoccernet]] |publisher=[[ESPN]] |accessdate=23 June 2010}}</ref> After defeating Mexico 3–1, however, Argentina was routed by [[Germany national football team|Germany]] 4–0 in the [[2010 FIFA World Cup#Quarter-finals|quarter-finals]] to go out of the competition.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2010/07/04/sports/soccer/04germanygame.html?_r=1&scp=5&sq=Maradona&st=cse |title=Germany Shows Its Strength |date=3 June 2010 |work=The New York Times |accessdate=4 June 2010 |first=Jeré |last=Longman}}</ref> Argentina [[2010 FIFA World Cup team rankings|was ranked fifth]] in the tournament. After the defeat to Germany, Maradona admitted that he was considering his future as Argentina coach, stating, "I may leave tomorrow."<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/world_cup_2010/8785997.stm |title=Sad Maradona considers quitting |date=4 July 2010 |work=BBC Sport |accessdate=15 July 2010}}</ref> On 15 July 2010, the AFA said that he would be offered a new four-year deal that would keep him in charge through to the summer of 2014 when Brazil stages the [[2014 FIFA World Cup|World Cup]].<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/world_cup_2010/8823478.stm |title=Argentina to offer Diego Maradona new four-year deal |date=15 July 2010 |work=BBC Sport |accessdate=15 July 2010}}</ref> On 27 July, however, the AFA announced that its board had unanimously decided not to renew his contract, different to 1978 World Cup winning captain and 1986 teammate, [[Daniel Passarella]].<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2010/jul/27/diego-maradona-departs-argentina-manager |title=Diego Maradona departs as manager of Argentina |date=27 July 2010 |work=The Guardian |accessdate=27 July 2010 |agency=[[Press Association]] |location=London}}</ref> Afterwards, on 29 July, Maradona claimed that AFA president [[Julio Grondona]] and director of national teams (as well as his former Argentine national team and Sevilla coach) [[Carlos Bilardo]] had "lied to", "betrayed" and effectively sacked him from the role. He said, "They wanted me to continue, but seven of my staff should not go on, if he told me that, it meant he did not want me to keep working."<ref>{{Cite news |url=http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=810672&sec=global&cc=5739 |title='Betrayed' Maradona lashes out at AFA |date=29 July 2010 |work=[[ESPNsoccernet]] |publisher=[[ESPN]] |accessdate=29 July 2010}}</ref>
 
==Personal life==
 
===Family===
[[File:Maradonas's jersey donated to Pope Francis.jpg|thumb|upright|Having returned to his Catholic faith, Maradona donated a signed Argentina jersey to [[Pope Francis]], and it is kept in one of the [[Vatican Museums]].]]
Born to a [[Roman Catholic]] family, his parents were Diego Maradona Senior and Dalma Salvadora Franco. Maradona married long-time fiancée Claudia Villafañe on 7 November 1984 in Buenos Aires, and they had two daughters, Dalma Nerea (born 2 April 1987) and Gianinna Dinorah (born 16 May 1989), by whom he became a grandfather in 2009.<ref>{{cite web |author=La Liga |url=http://www.goal.com/en/news/722/la-liga/2009/02/19/1117562/diego-maradona-becomes-a-grandfather-as-sergio-aguero-junior-is-b |title=Diego Maradona Becomes A Grandfather As Sergio Aguero Junior Is Born |publisher=Goal.com |date=19 February 2009 |accessdate=12 June 2010}}</ref>
 
Maradona and Villafañe divorced in 2004. Daughter Dalma has since asserted that the divorce was the best solution for all, as her parents remained on friendly terms. They travelled together to Naples for a series of homages in June 2005 and were seen together on other occasions, including the Argentina games during [[2006 FIFA World Cup|2006 World Cup]].<ref>[http://espndeportes.espn.go.com/story?id=334497 ESPN Deportes – "Llega en son de paz"]. ESPN. Retrieved 19 May 2006</ref>
 
During the divorce proceedings, Maradona admitted he is the father of [[Diego Sinagra]] (born in Naples on 20 September 1986). The Italian courts had already ruled so in 1993, after Maradona refused to undergo DNA tests to prove or disprove his paternity. Diego Junior met Maradona for the first time in May 2003 after tricking his way onto a golf course in Italy where Maradona was playing.<ref>[http://espndeportes.espn.go.com/story?id=334523 ESPN Deportes – "El amor al ídolo"]. ESPN. Retrieved 19 May 2006</ref> Sinagra is now a footballer playing in Italy.<ref name="Diego Maradona Junior">{{cite web |url=http://www.resport.it/leggi.asp?id=11196&idcat=5&t=n |title=Diego Maradona Junior |publisher=Resport.it |accessdate=12 June 2010 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20101006193326/http://www.resport.it/leggi.asp?id=11196&idcat=5&t=n |archivedate=6 October 2010}}</ref> After the divorce, Claudia embarked on a career as a theatre producer, and Dalma was seeking an acting career; she had expressed her desire to attend the Actor's Studio in [[Los Angeles]].<ref>[http://www.clarin.com/diario/2005/06/03/espectaculos/c-00811.htm Clarin.com – "Había una vez... un elenco para la selección"]. Clarin. Retrieved 19 May 2006</ref><ref>[http://www.clarin.com/diario/2005/06/19/sociedad/s-998340.htm Clarin.com – "Dalma Maradona: diario de una princesa"]. Clarin. Retrieved 19 May 2006</ref>
 
Maradona's relationship with his immediate family was a close one, and in a 1990 interview with ''[[Sports Illustrated]]'' he showed phone bills where he had spent a minimum of 15,000 US dollars per month calling his parents and siblings.<ref>{{cite news |title=Prima Dona |url=https://www.si.com/vault/1990/05/14/121977/prima-dona-at-his-best-diego-maradona-can-be-as-graceful-as-michael-jordan-at-his-worst-he-can-be-as-disgraceful-as-john-mcenroe-the-question-is-which-maradona-will-show-for-the-world-cup |accessdate=19 August 2018 |work=Sports Illustrated}}</ref> Maradona's mother, Dalma, died on 19 November 2011. He was in [[Dubai]] at the time, and desperately tried to fly back in time to see her, but was too late. She was 81 years old. His father, "Don" Diego, died on 25 June 2015 at age 87.<ref>[https://www.theguardian.com/football/2015/jun/25/diego-maradona-father-dies “Diego Maradona’s father Don Diego dies aged 87”]. The Guardian. Retrieved 19 August 2018</ref>
 
Maradona's great-nephew, [[Hernán López (footballer)|Hernán]], is a professional footballer.<ref name="La Nación">{{cite news |title=La historia del sobrino de Maradona que juega en River: su polémica llegada al club y su particular parecido con el tío |url=https://www.lanacion.com.ar/deportes/futbol/la-historia-del-sobrino-de-maradona-que-juega-en-river-su-polemica-llegada-al-club-y-su-particular-parecido-con-el-tio-nid2130488 |accessdate=7 April 2019 |work=La Nación |date=3 May 2018}}</ref>
 
===Drug abuse and health issues===
From the mid-1980s until 2004, Maradona was addicted to [[cocaine]]. He allegedly began using the drug in Barcelona in 1983.<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/3639425.stm Maradona's fall from grace] John May, 19 April 2004, BBC Sport. Retrieved 18 August 2006.</ref> By the time he was playing for Napoli, he had a regular addiction, which began to interfere with his ability to play football.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9D0CE5DE1F30F93AA2575AC0A967958260 |title=The New York Times: SOCCER; Maradona Sentenced |date=19 September 1991 |work=AP via New York Times}}</ref> In the midst of his drug-crisis in 1991 Maradona was asked by journalists if the hit song ''[[Mi enfermedad]]'' (lit. My Disease) was dedicated to him.<ref name=Resus>{{Cite news |title=El éxito que llegó de España La extraña historia de Mi enfermedad, o cuando Fabiana Cantilo resucitó a Andrés Calamaro |url=https://www.clarin.com/espectaculos/musica/historia-enfermedad-fabiana-cantilo-resucito-andres-calamaro_0__iPkBmlj2.html |language=Spanish |last=Firpo |first=Hernán |date=2 April 2020|access-date=30 July 2020 |work=Clarin}}</ref>
 
Maradona had a tendency to put on weight and suffered increasingly from [[obesity]], at one point weighing {{cvt|280|lb|kg}}. He was obese from the end of his playing career until undergoing [[gastric bypass surgery]] in a clinic in [[Cartagena de Indias]], Colombia, on 6 March 2005. His surgeon said that Maradona would follow a liquid diet for three months in order to return his normal weight.<ref name="bbc_stomach">{{Cite news |title=Maradona has surgery on stomach |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/4322835.stm |publisher=BBC |accessdate=28 June 2010 |date=6 March 2005}}</ref> When Maradona resumed public appearances shortly thereafter, he displayed a notably thinner figure.<ref name="espn_surgery">{{cite web |last=Associated Press |title=Maradona's gastric bypass inspires obese Colombians |url=http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=344144&cc=5901 |publisher=ESPN |accessdate=28 June 2010}}</ref>
 
On 29 March 2007, Maradona was readmitted to a hospital in Buenos Aires. He was treated for [[hepatitis]] and effects of [[alcohol abuse]] and was released on 11 April, but readmitted two days later.<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/6581461.stm "Maradona treated for alcoholism"]. BBC. Retrieved 1 February 2015</ref> In the following days, there were constant rumours about his health, including three false claims of his death within a month.<ref>Calegari, Rodrigo (26 April 2007). [http://www.ole.clarin.com/notas/2007/04/26/01407242.html "Malas lenguas"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090918095510/http://www.ole.clarin.com/notas/2007/04/26/01407242.html |date=18 September 2009 }}. [[Diario Olé]] {{in lang|es}}</ref> After transfer to a psychiatric clinic specializing in alcohol-related problems, he was discharged on 7 May.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/6633391.stm |work=BBC News |title=Maradona leaves alcoholism clinic |date=7 May 2007 |accessdate=1 April 2010}}</ref> On 8 May 2007, Maradona appeared on Argentine television and stated that he had quit drinking and had not used drugs in two and a half years.<ref>[http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=428701&cc=5901 "Maradona says he no longer drinks"]. ESPNsoccernet (8 May 2007).</ref> In January 2019, Maradona underwent surgery after a [[hernia]] caused [[internal bleeding]] in his stomach.<ref>{{cite news |title=Diego Maradona recovering in hospital after operation for internal bleeding |work=BBC Sport |date=13 January 2019 |accessdate=13 January 2019 |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/46855009}}</ref>
 
===Political views===
[[File:Maradona y Kirchner.jpg|thumb|right|Maradona presenting a signed shirt to the former President of Argentina [[Néstor Kirchner]] in December 2007]]
 
Having previously been vocal in his support of [[neoliberal]] Argentine President [[Carlos Menem]] and his [[Harvard University]]–educated economist [[Domingo Cavallo]], Maradona has shown sympathy to [[Left-wing politics|left-wing]] ideologies. He became friends with Cuban leader [[Fidel Castro]] while receiving treatment on the island, with Castro stating, "Diego is a great friend and very noble, too. There's also no question he’s a wonderful athlete and has maintained a friendship with Cuba to no material gain of his own."<ref name="Maradona FIFA"/> Maradona had a portrait of Castro [[tattoo]]ed on his left leg and one of Fidel's second in command, fellow Argentine [[Che Guevara]] on his right arm.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/argentina/story/0,,1635417,00.html |title=A big hand |work=The Observer |location=UK |accessdate=19 June 2006 |date=6 November 2005 |first=Chris |last=Taylor}}</ref> In his autobiography, ''El Diego'', he dedicated the book to various people, including Castro. He wrote, "To Fidel Castro and, through him, all the [[Cubans|Cuban people]]."<ref>{{cite book |last=Maradona |first=Diego |author2=Daniel Arcucci |author3=Ernesto Cherquis Bialo |title=El Diego |year=2005 |publisher=Yellow Jersey |location=London |isbn=0-224-07190-4}}</ref>
 
[[File:Exequias de Néstor Kirchner en Casa Rosada 7.jpg|thumb|left|Maradona, then-president [[Cristina Fernández de Kirchner]] and [[Evo Morales]], at the funeral of former President of Argentina [[Néstor Kirchner]], 28 October 2010]]
Maradona was also a supporter of former Venezuelan President [[Hugo Chávez]]. In 2005, he came to Venezuela to meet Chávez, who received him in the [[Miraflores Palace]]. After this meeting, Maradona claimed that he had come with the aim of meeting a "great man" ("''un grande''" in Spanish), but he had met instead a gigantic man ("''un gigante''" in Spanish, meaning he was more than great). "I believe in Chávez, I am [[Chavista]]. Everything Fidel does, everything Chávez does, for me is the best."<ref>{{Cite news |title=Maradona and Chávez laugh over 'hand of god' goal on chat show |work=The Guardian |location=UK |accessdate=20 August 2007 |url=https://www.theguardian.com/venezuela/story/0,,2152474,00.html |first=Rory |last=Carroll |date=20 August 2007}}</ref> Maradona was the guest of honour of Chávez at the opening game of the [[2007 Copa América]] held in Venezuela.<ref>[https://metro.co.uk/2007/06/27/maradona-fancies-a-copa-3432278/ "Maradona fancies a Copa"]. Metro. Retrieved 21 May 1014</ref>
 
Maradona has declared his opposition to what he identifies as [[imperialism]], notably during the 2005 [[Mar del Plata Summit of the Americas|Summit of the Americas]] in [[Mar del Plata]], Argentina. There he protested [[George W. Bush]]'s presence in Argentina, wearing a T-shirt labelled "{{mono|STOP BUSH}}" (with the "s" in "Bush" being replaced with a [[swastika]]) and referring to Bush as "human garbage".<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.thenation.com/doc/20051121/timerman |title=Chávez and Maradona Lead Massive Rebuke of Bush |work=[[The Nation]] |accessdate=20 June 2006 |date=5 November 2005}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.commondreams.org/headlines05/images/1105-02.jpg |title=Image of Maradona wearing the STOP BU卐H shirt |accessdate=12 June 2010 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20100623193530/http://www.commondreams.org/headlines05/images/1105-02.jpg |archivedate=23 June 2010}}</ref> In August 2007, Maradona went further, making an appearance on Chávez's weekly television show ''[[Alo Presidente]]'' and saying, "I hate everything that comes from the United States. I hate it with all my strength."<ref>{{Cite news |title=Ex-soccer star Maradona tells Chavez he hates U.S. |work=Reuters |accessdate=20 August 2007 |url=http://uk.reuters.com/article/worldFootballNews/idUKN1925170620070819 |date=19 August 2007}}</ref> In December 2008, however, Maradona had adopted a more pro-US attitude when he expressed admiration for Bush's successor, President-elect [[Barack Obama]], and held great expectations for him.<ref name="India"/>
 
{{Quote box|width=27%|align=right|quote="I asked myself, 'Who is this man? Who is this footballing magician, this [[Sex Pistols|Sex Pistol]] of international football, this cocaine victim who kicked the habit, looked like [[Falstaff]] and was as weak as spaghetti?' If [[Andy Warhol]] had still been alive, he would have definitely put Maradona alongside [[Marilyn Monroe]] and [[Mao Tse-tung]]. I'm convinced that if he hadn’t been a footballer, he'd've become a revolutionary."|source=—[[Emir Kusturica]], film director<ref name="Maradona FIFA"/>}}
 
With his poor shanty town upbringing, Maradona has cultivated a man of the people persona.<ref name="Vatican"/> During a meeting with [[Pope John Paul II]] at the [[Vatican City|Vatican]] in 1987, they clashed on the issue of wealth disparity, with Maradona stating, "I argued with him because I was in the Vatican and I saw all these golden ceilings and afterwards I heard the Pope say the Church was worried about the welfare of poor kids. Sell your ceiling then amigo, do something!"<ref name="Vatican">[https://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/blogs/pitchside-europe/football-awaits-audience-italy-argentina-131330730.html "Football awaits an audience with Italy and Argentina"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140904092010/https://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/blogs/pitchside-europe/football-awaits-audience-italy-argentina-131330730.html |date=4 September 2014 }}. Eurosport. Retrieved 2 September 2014</ref> In September 2014, Maradona met with [[Pope Francis]] in Rome, crediting Francis for inspiring him to return to religion after many years; he stated, "We should all imitate Pope Francis. If each one of us gives something to someone else, no one in the world would be starving."<ref>[http://www.smh.com.au/sport/soccer/diego-maradona-meets-pope-francis-in-rome-20140902-10b8tw.html#ixzz3C94HZkyr "Diego Maradona meets Pope Francis in Rome"]. Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 2 September 2014</ref>
 
In December 2007, Maradona presented a signed shirt with a message of support to the people of [[Iran]]: it is displayed in the Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs' museum.<ref name="sundayTimes3April2008">{{Cite news |last=Naughton |first=Philippe |title=Diego Maradona makes a fan of President Ahmadinejad of Iran |url=http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/middle_east/article3673860.ece |accessdate=28 June 2010 |newspaper=The Sunday Times |date=3 April 2008 |location=London}}</ref> In April 2013, Maradona visited the tomb of Hugo Chávez and urged Venezuelans to elect the late leader's designated successor, [[Nicolás Maduro]], to continue the socialist leader's legacy; "Continue the struggle," Maradona said on television.<ref name="Chavez">[http://sports.ndtv.com/football/news/206240-diego-maradona-visits-hugo-chavez-tomb "Diego Maradona visits {{As written|Hugo Chavez}} tomb"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160825183755/http://sports.ndtv.com/football/news/206240-diego-maradona-visits-hugo-chavez-tomb |date=25 August 2016 }}. NDTV. Retrieved 29 November 2013</ref> Maradona attended Maduro's final campaign rally in [[Caracas]], signing footballs and kicking them to the crowd, and presented Maduro with an Argentina jersey.<ref name="Chavez"/> Having visited Chávez's tomb with Maradona, Maduro said, "Speaking with Diego was very emotional because comandante Chávez also loved him very much."<ref name="Chavez"/> Maradona participated and danced at the electoral campaign rally during the [[2018 Venezuelan presidential election|2018 presidential elections in Venezuela]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Así bailó Maradona durante el cierre de campaña de Maduro |url=http://www.el-nacional.com/noticias/politica/asi-bailo-maradona-durante-cierre-campana-maduro_235670 |date=17 May 2018 |accessdate=18 May 2018 |work=El Nacional}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Maradona acompañó a Maduro en su cierre de campaña electoral |url=http://www.panorama.com.ve/politicayeconomia/Maradona-acompano-a-Maduro-en-su-cierre-de-campana-electoral-20180517-0051.html |date=17 May 2018 |accessdate=18 May 2018 |work=Panorama |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180517235507/http://www.panorama.com.ve/politicayeconomia/Maradona-acompano-a-Maduro-en-su-cierre-de-campana-electoral-20180517-0051.html |archive-date=17 May 2018 |url-status=dead}}</ref> During the [[2019 Venezuelan presidential crisis]], the Mexican Football Federation fined him for violating their code of ethics and dedicating a team victory to Nicolás Maduro.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://lta.reuters.com/articulo/futbol-mexico-maradona-idLTAKCN1RL083 |work=Reuters |language=es |date=8 April 2019 |accessdate=10 April 2019 |title=Federación México multa a Maradona por dedicar triunfo a Maduro}}</ref>
 
In October 2015, Maradona thanked Queen [[Elizabeth II]] and the [[Palace of Westminster|Houses of Parliament]] in London for giving him the chance to provide "true justice" as head of an organization designed to help young children.<ref name="Unity"/> In a video released on his official Facebook page, Maradona confirmed he would accept their nomination for him to become Latin American director for the non-governmental organization Football for Unity.<ref name="Unity">{{cite news |title=Diego Maradona sends a 'big hug to the Houses of Parliament' and thanks the Queen |url=https://www.standard.co.uk/sport/football/diego-maradona-sends-a-big-hug-to-the-houses-of-parliament-and-thanks-the-queen-a3089616.html |agency=London Evening Standard |date=21 October 2015}}</ref>
 
===Public image===
Maradona habitually [[Illeism|referred to himself in the third person]] as "Maradona" and "El Diego".<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2004/oct/01/sport.sportandleisurebooks |title=In search of Dieguito |newspaper=The Guardian |date=1 October 2004 |accessdate=22 February 2018 |location=London |first=Martin |last=Amis}}</ref>
 
===Financial problems===
In March 2009, Italian officials announced that Maradona still owed the Italian government €37&nbsp;million in local taxes, €23.5&nbsp;million of which was accrued interest on his original debt. They reported that thus far, Maradona had paid only €42,000, two luxury watches and a set of earrings.<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/8264160.stm Police seize Maradona's earrings] BBC News, 19 September 2009</ref><ref>[http://www.wsn.com/2009/03/28/football/news/italy/maradona-still-owes-37-million-euros-taxman-says_343841/ Maradona still owes 37 million euros, taxman says]. wsn.com (28 March 2009).</ref>
 
===Death===
On 2 November 2020, Maradona was admitted to a hospital in [[La Plata]], supposedly for psychological reasons. A representative of the ex-footballer said his condition was not serious.<ref>{{Cite web |last1=Rey |first1=Deborah |last2=McStay |first2=Kirsten |date=3 November 2020 |title=Football legend Diego Maradona admitted to hospital with signs of depression |url=https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/entertainment/football-legend-diego-maradona-admitted-22948500|access-date=3 November 2020 |website=Daily Record |language=en}}</ref> A day later, he underwent emergency brain surgery to treat a subdural hematoma, a blood clot on the brain.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.espn.com/soccer/argentina-arg/story/4225282/argentina-great-maradona-to-have-emergency-brain-surgery |work=ESPN |title=Argentina great Maradona to have emergency brain surgery |date=3 November 2020 |accessdate=3 November 2020}}</ref> He was released on 12 November after successful surgery and was supervised by doctors as an outpatient.<ref>{{Cite web |last=CNN |first=Tatiana Arias and Hugo Correa |title=Diego Maradona discharged from clinic following successful brain surgery |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2020/11/12/football/diego-maradona-hospital-discharge-spt-intl/index.html|access-date=12 November 2020 |website=CNN}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=2020-11-25|title=Diego Maradona dies aged 60|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/news/diego-maradona-dead-age-cause-b1761813.html|access-date=2020-11-25|website=The Independent|language=en}}</ref> On 25 November 2020, at the age of 60, Maradona died of a [[heart attack]] at his home in [[Tigre, Buenos Aires]], Argentina. In a statement on social media, the [[Argentine Football Association]] expressed "its deepest sorrow for the death of our legend", adding: "You will always be in our hearts."<ref>{{cite news |title=Diego Maradona: Argentina legend dies aged 60 |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/54810392 |access-date=25 November 2020 |agency=BBC News}}</ref>
 
==In popular culture==
[[File:Maradona-212369675 3c30adbbb4 o.jpg|thumb|upright|Religious display of Maradona in [[Naples]], Italy]]
The American newspaper ''[[The Houston Chronicle]]'' wrote about Maradona:
{{quote|text=To understand the gargantuan shadow Maradona casts over his football-mad homeland, one has to conjure up the athleticism of [[Michael Jordan]], the power of [[Babe Ruth]] – and the human fallibility of [[Mike Tyson]]. Lump them together in a single barrel-chested man with shaggy black hair and you have ''El Diego'', idol to the millions who call him D10S, a mashup of his playing number and the Spanish word for God.<ref name="Trib">Bensinger, Ken (8 June 2010) [http://www.standard.net/topics/sports/2010/06/08/maradona-puts-his-legacy-line-world-cup Maradona puts his Legacy on the Line at the World Cup] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305070831/http://www.standard.net/topics/sports/2010/06/08/maradona-puts-his-legacy-line-world-cup |date=5 March 2016 }}, ''[[The Houston Chronicle]]''.</ref>}}
 
In Argentina, Maradona is considered a sports hero. On the idolatry that exists in Argentina, former teammate [[Jorge Valdano]] said, "At the time that Maradona retired from active football, left traumatized Argentina. Maradona was more than just a great footballer. It was a special compensation factor for a country that in a few years lived several military dictatorships and social frustrations of all kinds".<ref name="Deportes"/> Valdano added that "Maradona offered to the Argentines a way out of their collective frustration, and that's why people love him. There is a divine figure."<ref name="Deportes">[http://espndeportes.espn.go.com/news/story?id=455305 "¿Es el sucesor natural?"]. ESPN Deportes. (Ed, 29 June 2014). Retrieved 3 July 2014</ref>
 
[[File:Statutes of Gardel - Peron - Maradona in La Boca - Buenos Aires - Argentina.JPG|thumb|left|Three icons of Argentina statues: tango pioneer [[Carlos Gardel]], political leader [[Eva Perón]], and Maradona]]
Ever since 1986, it is common for Argentines abroad to hear Maradona's name as a token of recognition, even in remote places.<ref Name=Guardian/> The [[Tartan Army]] sing a version of the [[Hokey Cokey]] in honour of the [[The hand of God|Hand of God goal]] against England.<ref>Shields, Tom (9 April 2006). [http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4156/is_20060409/ai_n16175117 LET'S RAISE A GLASS TO MARADONA TOM SHIELDS SPORT DIARY] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081208061736/http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4156/is_20060409/ai_n16175117 |date= 8 December 2008 }}, ''[[The Herald (Glasgow)|Sunday Herald]]''.</ref> In Argentina, Maradona is often talked about in terms reserved for legends. In the Argentine film ''[[Son of the Bride|El Hijo de la Novia]]'' ("Son of the Bride"), somebody who impersonates a [[Priest#Catholic and Orthodox|Catholic priest]] says to a bar patron, "They idolized him and then crucified him." When a friend scolds him for taking the prank too far, the fake priest retorts, "But I was talking about Maradona." He is the subject of the film ''[[El Camino de San Diego]]'', though he himself only appears in archive footage.
 
Maradona was included in many [[cameo appearance|cameo]]s in the Argentine comic book [[El Cazador de Aventuras]]. After the closing of it, the authors started a new short-lived comic book titled "El Die",<!-- Note: This is not a mistake, the comic book was actually called "El Die", not "El Diez", which would had been correct under grammatical rules. The "mistake" in the title was done on purpose, for humoristic reasons --> using Maradona as the main character. Maradona has had several online Flash games that are entirely dedicated to his legacy.<ref>[https://archive.today/20130706014409/http://www.soccergamespot.com/world-cup-games/maradona "Maradona Soccer Game"]. Retrieved 13 April 2013.</ref> In [[Rosario, Santa Fe|Rosario]], Argentina, locals organized the [[parody religion]] of the "[[Iglesia Maradoniana|Church of Maradona]]". The organization reformulates many elements from Christian tradition, such as Christmas or prayers, reflecting instead details from Maradona. It had 200 founding members, and tens of thousands more have become members via the church's official web site.<ref>
[http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/3666357.stm "Maradona in intensive care"]. BBC Sport (28 April 2004). Retrieved 18 August 2006.</ref>
 
[[File:Queen maradona.jpg|thumb|right|Maradona (middle) with [[Queen (band)|Queen]] during the rock band's [[The Game Tour|1981 South American tour]]]]
Many Argentine artists performed songs in tribute to Diego, such as "La Mano de Dios" by [[Rodrigo Bueno|El Potro Rodrigo]], "Maradona" by [[Andrés Calamaro]], "Para siempre Diego" (Diego forever) by [[Los Ratones Paranoicos]], "Francotirador" (Sniper) by [[Attaque 77]], "Maradona blues" by [[Charly García]], "Santa Maradona" (Saint Maradona) by [[Mano Negra (band)|Mano Negra]], "La Vida Tombola" by [[Manu Chao]], among others. There are also films, such as: ''Maradona, La Mano de Dios'' (Maradona, the Hand of God), ''El Camino de San Diego'' (Saint Diego's Road), ''Amando a Maradona'' (Loving Maradona), ''[[Maradona by Kusturica]]''.<ref name="Film"/>
 
By 1982, Maradona had become one of the biggest sports stars in the world and had endorsements with many companies, including [[Puma SE|Puma]] and [[Coca-Cola]], earning him an additional $1.5&nbsp;million per year on top of his club salary.<ref name="commercial"/> In 1982, he featured in a World Cup commercial for Coca-Cola, and a Japanese commercial for Puma.<ref name="commercial">Jimmy Burns (2011) "Maradona: The Hand of God". pp. 71, 84. A&C Black</ref> In 2010 he appeared in a commercial for French fashion house [[Louis Vuitton]], indulging in a game of [[table football]] with fellow World Cup winners [[Pelé]] and [[Zinedine Zidane]].<ref>[http://www.gq-magazine.co.uk/style/articles/2010-04/26/gq-style-news-maradona-pele-and-zidane-for-louis-vuitton "Maradona, Pelé and Zidane for Vuitton"]. GQ Magazine. Retrieved 14 May 2014</ref> Maradona features in the music video to the 2010 World Cup song "[[Waka Waka (This Time for Africa)|Waka Waka]]" by [[Shakira]], with footage shown of him celebrating Argentina winning the 1986 World Cup.<ref name="World Cup video">{{cite news |date=8 June 2010 |title=Shakira launches clip 'Waka Waka' Cup official music |url=http://esportes.terra.com.br/futebol/copa/2010/noticias/0,,OI4480146-EI14416,00-Shakira+lanca+clipe+de+Waka+Waka+musica+oficial+da+Copa.html |publisher=Reforma |language=Portuguese |accessdate=9 June 2010}}</ref>
 
[[File:NIG-ARG (11).jpg|thumb|left|Banners depicting Maradona – such as this where he features alongside [[Lionel Messi]] at the 2018 World Cup – often appear at Argentina games.]]
 
A 2006 television commercial for Brazilian soft drink [[Guaraná Antarctica]] portrayed Maradona as a member of the Brazil national team, including wearing the yellow jersey and singing the Brazilian national anthem with Brazilian players [[Ronaldo (Brazilian footballer)|Ronaldo]] and [[Kaká]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.archivo10.com/videos/maradona_videos07.html |title=ARCHIVO 10, Diego Maradona – Videos de publicidades |publisher=Archivo10.com |accessdate=6 May 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110707155707/http://www.archivo10.com/videos/maradona_videos07.html|archive-date=7 July 2011|url-status=dead}}</ref> Later on in the commercial he wakes up realizing it was a nightmare after having drunk too much of the drink. This generated some controversy in the Argentine media after its release (although the commercial was not supposed to air on the Argentine market, fans could see it online). Maradona replied that he has no problem in wearing the Brazilian national squad jersey despite [[Argentina and Brazil football rivalry|Argentina and Brazil having a tense rivalry in football]], but that he would refuse to wear the shirt of [[Club Atlético River Plate|River Plate]], [[Boca Juniors]]' [[Superclásico|traditional rival]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.adnews.com.br/publicidade.php?id=28306 |title=Maradona diz não se arrepender de usar camisa do Brasil na TV |date=30 April 2006 |work=AdNews.com.br |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110706151608/http://www.adnews.com.br/publicidade.php?id=28306 |archivedate=6 July 2011}}</ref> There is a documented phenomenon of Brazilians being named in honour of Maradona,<ref>{{cite news |title=World Cup 2014: Brazilians named after Maradona and Lineker |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/27971359 |accessdate=1 February 2015 |work=BBC Sport |date=23 June 2014}}</ref> an example being footballer [[Diego Costa]].<ref>{{cite news |last1=Burt |first1=Jason |title=Diego Costa: I take things to limit but I did nothing wrong |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/chelsea/11381605/Diego-Costa-I-take-things-to-limit-but-I-did-nothing-wrong.html |accessdate=31 January 2015 |work=The Daily Telegraph |date=31 January 2015}}</ref>
 
In 2017, Maradona featured as a legendary player in the football video games ''[[FIFA 18]]'' and ''[[Pro Evolution Soccer 2018]]''.<ref>[https://www.standard.co.uk/sport/football/ea-sports-add-diego-maradona-to-fifa-18-with-95rated-card-a3599761.html "FIFA 18 to include 95-rated icon Diego Maradona as EA Sports adds footballing legend to Ultimate Team"]. Evening Standard. Retrieved 8 September 2017</ref> In 2019, a documentary film titled ''[[Diego Maradona (film)|Diego Maradona]]'' was released by [[Academy Awards|Academy Award]] and [[BAFTA Award]] winning filmmaker [[Asif Kapadia]], director of ''[[Amy (2015 film)|Amy]]'' (on singer [[Amy Winehouse]]) and ''[[Senna (film)|Senna]]'' (on motor racing driver [[Ayrton Senna]]). Kapadia states, "Maradona is the third part of a trilogy about child geniuses and fame."<ref>{{cite news |title=Film-maker Asif Kapadia: 'Maradona is the third part of a trilogy about child geniuses and fame' |url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/2017/jun/25/asif-kapadia-diego-maradona-senna-amy-interview |newspaper=The Guardian |date=1 October 2017}}</ref> He added, "I was fascinated by his journey, wherever he went there were moments of incredible brilliance and drama. He was a leader, taking his teams to the very top, but also many lows in his career. He was always the little guy fighting against the system... and he was willing to do anything, to use all of his cunning and intelligence to win."<ref>{{cite news |title=Amy director Asif Kapadia set to make Maradona documentary |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/films/news/amy-director-asif-kapadia-set-to-make-maradona-documentary-a6841391.html |newspaper=The Independent |date=1 October 2017}}</ref>
 
==Career statistics==
Maradona made 694 appearances and scored 354 goals for club and country combined, with a goalscoring average of {{#expr:354/694 round 2}}.
===Club===
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align: center"
|-
!rowspan="2"|Club
!rowspan="2"|Season
!colspan="3"|League
!colspan="2"|Cup
!colspan="2"|Continental
!colspan="2"|Other
!colspan="2"|Total
|-
!Division!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals
|-
|rowspan="6"|[[Argentinos Juniors]]<ref name="Stats">{{cite book |last=De Calò |first=Alessandro |date=2011 |title=Il calcio di Maradona ai raggi X |publisher=[[La Gazzetta dello Sport]] |pages=94–95 |language=Italian}}</ref>
|[[1976 Argentine Primera División|1976]]
|rowspan="5"|[[Argentine Primera División|Primera División]]
||11||2||colspan="2"|–||colspan="2"|–||colspan="2"|–||11||2
|-
|[[1977 Argentine Primera División|1977]]
||49||19||colspan="2"|–||colspan="2"|–||colspan="2"|–||49||19
|-
|[[1978 Argentine Primera División|1978]]
||35||26||colspan="2"|–||colspan="2"|–||colspan="2"|–||35||26
|-
|[[1979 Argentine Primera División|1979]]
||26||26||colspan="2"|–||colspan="2"|–||colspan="2"|–||26||26
|-
|[[1980 Argentine Primera División|1980]]
||45||43||colspan="2"|–||colspan="2"|–||colspan="2"|–||45||43
|-
!colspan="2"|Total
!166||116||colspan="2"|–||colspan="2"|–||colspan="2"|–||166||116
|-
|[[Boca Juniors]]<ref name="Stats"/>
|[[1981 Argentine Primera División|1981]]
|[[Argentine Primera División|Primera División]]
||40||28||colspan="2"|–||colspan="2"|–||colspan="2"|–||40||28
|-
|rowspan="3"|[[FC Barcelona|Barcelona]]<ref name="Stats"/>
|[[1982–83 FC Barcelona season|1982–83]]
|rowspan="2"|[[La Liga]]
||20||11||5<ref group="lower-alpha">Appearances in the [[1982–83 Copa del Rey]]</ref>||3||4<ref group="lower-alpha">Appearances in the [[1982–83 European Cup Winners' Cup]]</ref>||5||6<ref group="lower-alpha">Appearances in the [[1983 Copa de la Liga]]</ref>||4||35||23
|-
|[[1983–84 FC Barcelona season|1983–84]]
||16||11||4<ref group="lower-alpha">Appearances in the [[1983–84 Copa del Rey]]</ref>||1||3<ref group="lower-alpha">Appearances in the [[1983–84 European Cup Winners' Cup]]</ref>||3||colspan="2"|–||23||15
|-
!colspan="2"|Total
!36||22||9||4||7||8||6||4||58||38
|-
|rowspan="8"|[[S.S.C. Napoli|Napoli]]<ref name="Stats"/>
|[[1984–85 S.S.C. Napoli season|1984–85]]
|rowspan="7"|[[Serie A]]
||30||14||6<ref group="lower-alpha">Appearances in the [[1984–85 Coppa Italia]]</ref>||3||colspan="2"|–||colspan="2"|–||36||17
|-
|[[1985–86 S.S.C. Napoli season|1985–86]]
||29||11||2<ref group="lower-alpha">Appearances in the [[1985–86 Coppa Italia]]</ref>||2||colspan="2"|–||colspan="2"|–||31||13
|-
|[[1986–87 S.S.C. Napoli season|1986–87]]
||29||10||10<ref group="lower-alpha">Appearances in the [[1986–87 Coppa Italia]]</ref>||7||2<ref group="lower-alpha">Appearances in the [[1986–87 UEFA Cup]]</ref>||0||colspan="2"|–||41||17
|-
|[[1987–88 S.S.C. Napoli season|1987–88]]
||28||15||9<ref group="lower-alpha">Appearances in the [[1987–88 Coppa Italia]]</ref>||6||2<ref group="lower-alpha">Appearances in the [[1987–88 European Cup]]</ref>||0||colspan="2"|–||39||21
|-
|[[1988–89 S.S.C. Napoli season|1988–89]]
||26||9||12<ref group="lower-alpha">Appearances in the [[1988–89 Coppa Italia]]</ref>||7||12<ref group="lower-alpha">Appearances in the [[1988–89 UEFA Cup]]</ref>||3||colspan="2"|–||50||19
|-
|[[1989–90 S.S.C. Napoli season|1989–90]]
||28||16||3<ref group="lower-alpha">Appearances in the [[1989–90 Coppa Italia]]</ref>||2||5<ref group="lower-alpha">Appearances in the [[1989–90 UEFA Cup]]</ref>||0||colspan="2"|–||36||18
|-
|[[1990–91 S.S.C. Napoli season|1990–91]]
||18||6||3<ref group="lower-alpha">Appearances in the [[1990–91 Coppa Italia]]</ref>||2||4<ref group="lower-alpha">Appearances in the [[1990–91 European Cup]]</ref>||2||1<ref group="lower-alpha">Appearance in the [[1990 Supercoppa Italiana]]</ref>||0||26||10
|-
!colspan="2"|Total
!188||81||45||29||25||5||1||0||259||115
|-
||[[Sevilla FC|Sevilla]]<ref name="Stats"/>
|[[1992–93 La Liga|1992–93]]
|[[La Liga]]
||26||5||3<ref group="lower-alpha">Appearances in the [[1992–93 Copa del Rey]]</ref>||3||colspan="2"|–||colspan="2"|–||29||8
|-
|[[Newell's Old Boys]]<ref name="Stats"/>
|[[1993–94 Argentine Primera División|1993–94]]
|rowspan="4"|[[Argentine Primera División|Primera División]]
||5||0||colspan="2"|–||colspan="2"|–||colspan="2"|–||5||0
|-
|rowspan="4"|[[Boca Juniors]]<ref name="Stats"/>
|[[1995–96 Argentine Primera División|1995–96]]
||24||5||colspan="2"|–||colspan="2"|–||colspan="2"|–||24||5
|-
|[[1996–97 Argentine Primera División|1996–97]]
||1||0||colspan="2"|–||colspan="2"|–||1<ref group="lower-alpha">Appearance in the [[1997 Supercopa Libertadores]]</ref>||0||2||0
|-
|[[1997–98 Argentine Primera División|1997–98]]
||5||2||colspan="2"|–||colspan="2"|–||colspan="2"|–||5||2
|-
!colspan="2"|Total
!70||35||colspan="2"|–||colspan="2"|–||1||0||71||35
|-
!colspan="3"|Career total
!491||259||57||36||32||13||8||4||588||312
|}
'''Notes'''
{{Reflist|group=lower-alpha}}
 
===International===
{{For|a comprehensive listing of international goals scored by Diego Maradona|List of international goals scored by Diego Maradona}}
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;""
|+ Appearances and goals by national team, year and competition
|-
!rowspan="2"|Team
!rowspan="2"|Year
!colspan="2"|Competitive
!colspan="2"|Friendly
!colspan="2"|Total
|-
!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals
|-
|rowspan="4"|[[Argentina national under-20 football team|Argentina U20]]<ref name="ArgentinaYouth">{{cite web |title=Estadísticas con la Selección Argentina |url=http://www.diegomaradona.com/historia/estadisticas/est_sel.html |website=diegomaradona.com |accessdate=23 October 2020 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20091018024912/http://www.diegomaradona.com/historia/estadisticas/est_sel.html |archivedate=11 October 2009 |url-status=dead}}</ref>
|1977||3<ref group="lower-alpha">Appearances in the [[1977 South American U-20 Championship]]</ref>||0||colspan="2"|–||3||0
|-
|1978||colspan="2"|–||colspan="2"|–||colspan="2"|–
|-
|1979||11<ref group="lower-alpha">Five appearances and one goal in the [[1979 South American U-20 Championship]], six appearances and six goals in the [[1979 FIFA World Youth Championship]]</ref>||7||1||1||12||8
|-
!Total||14||7||1||1||15||8
|-
|rowspan="19"|[[Argentina national football team|Argentina]]<ref name="Stats"/><ref name="RSSSF">{{cite web |last1=Pierrend |first1=José Luis |title=Diego Armando Maradona – International Appearances |url=http://www.rsssf.com/miscellaneous/maradona-intl.html |website=[[RSSSF|Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation]] |date=30 July 2001 |accessdate=25 June 2018 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20011102210950/http://www.rsssf.com/miscellaneous/maradona-intl.html |archivedate=2 November 2001 |url-status=live}}</ref>
|1977||colspan="2"|–||3||0||3||0
|-
|1978||colspan="2"|–||1||0||1||0
|-
|1979||2<ref group="lower-alpha">Appearances in the [[1979 Copa América]]</ref>||1||6||2||8||3
|-
|1980||colspan="2"|–||10||7||10||7
|-
|1981||2<ref group="lower-alpha">Appearances in the [[1980 Mundialito]]</ref>||1||colspan="2"|–||2||1
|-
|1982||5<ref group="lower-alpha">Appearances in the [[1982 World Cup]]</ref>||2||5||0||10||2
|-
|1983||colspan="2"|–||colspan="2"|–||colspan="2"|–
|-
|1984||colspan="2"|–||colspan="2"|–||colspan="2"|–
|-
|1985||6<ref group="lower-alpha">Appearances in the [[1986 FIFA World Cup qualification]]</ref>||3||4||3||10||6
|-
|1986||7<ref group="lower-alpha">Appearances in the [[1986 World Cup]]</ref>||5||3||2||10||7
|-
|1987||4<ref group="lower-alpha">Appearances in the [[1987 Copa América]]</ref>||3||2||1||6||4
|-
|1988||2<ref group="lower-alpha">Appearances in the [[Four Nations Tournament (1988)|Four Nations Tournament]]</ref>||1||1||0||3||1
|-
|1989||6<ref group="lower-alpha">Appearances in the [[1989 Copa América]]</ref>||0||1||0||7||0
|-
|1990||7<ref group="lower-alpha">Appearances in the [[1990 World Cup]]</ref>||0||3||1||10||1
|-
|1991||colspan="2"|–||colspan="2"|–||colspan="2"|–
|-
|1992||colspan="2"|–||colspan="2"|–||colspan="2"|–
|-
|1993||3<ref group="lower-alpha">One appearance in the [[Artemio Franchi Trophy]], two appearances in the [[1994 FIFA World Cup qualification]]</ref>||0||1||0||4||0
|-
|1994||2<ref group="lower-alpha">Appearances in the [[1994 World Cup]]</ref>||1||5||1||7||2
|-
!Total||46||17||45||17||91||34
|-
!colspan="2"|Career total||60||24||46||18||106||42
|}
'''Notes'''
{{Reflist|group=lower-alpha}}
 
==Managerial statistics==
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align: center"
|-
!rowspan="2" width="150"|Team
!rowspan="2" |Nat
!rowspan="2" width="125"|From
!rowspan="2" width="125"|To
!colspan="5"|Record
|-
!width="37"|G
!width="35"|W
!width="34"|D
!width="35"|L
!width="57"|Win %
 
|-
|align=center|[[Textil Mandiyú]]
|align=center|{{flagicon|ARG}}
|align=center|January 1994
|align=center|June 1994
{{WDL|12|1|6|5}}
|-
|align=center|[[Racing Club de Avellaneda|Racing Club]]
|align=center|{{flagicon|ARG}}
|align=center|May 1995
|align=center|November 1995
{{WDL|11|2|6|3}}
|-
|align=center|[[Argentina national football team|Argentina]]
|align=center|{{flagicon|ARG}}
|align=center|November 2008
|align=center|July 2010
{{WDL|24|18|0|6}}
|-
|align=center|[[Al-Wasl F.C.|Al-Wasl]]
|align=center|{{flagicon|UAE}}
|align=center|May 2011
|align=center|July 2012
{{WDL|23|11|3|9}}
|-
|align=center|[[Fujairah FC|Fujairah]]
|align=center|{{flagicon|UAE}}
|align=center|April 2017
|align=center|April 2018
{{WDL|11|7|3|1}}
|-
|align=center|[[Dorados de Sinaloa|Dorados]]
|align=center|{{flagicon|MEX}}
|align=center|September 2018
|align=center|June 2019
{{WDL|38|20|9|9}}
|-
|align=center|[[Club de Gimnasia y Esgrima La Plata|Gimnasia de La Plata]]
|align=center|{{flagicon|ARG}}
|align=center|September 2019
|align=center|November 2020
{{WDL|21|8|4|9}}
|-
!colspan=4|Total
{{WDLtot|140|67|31|42}}
|}
 
==Honours==
===Club===
'''Boca Juniors'''<ref name="CareerTitles">{{cite book |last=De Calò |first=Alessandro |date=2011 |title=Il calcio di Maradona ai raggi X |publisher=[[La Gazzetta dello Sport]] |page=6 |language=Italian}}</ref>
*[[Argentine Primera División]]: [[1981 Argentine Primera División|1981 Metropolitano]]
 
'''Barcelona'''<ref name="CareerTitles"/>
*[[Copa del Rey]]: [[1982–83 Copa del Rey|1983]]
*[[Copa de la Liga]]: [[1983 Copa de la Liga|1983]]
*[[Supercopa de España]]: [[1983 Supercopa de España|1983]]
 
'''Napoli'''<ref name="CareerTitles"/>
*[[Serie A]]: [[1986–87 Serie A|1986–87]], [[1989–90 Serie A|1989–90]]
*[[Coppa Italia]]: [[1986–87 Coppa Italia|1986–87]]
*[[UEFA Cup]]: [[1988–89 UEFA Cup|1988–89]]
*[[Supercoppa Italiana]]: [[1990 Supercoppa Italiana|1990]]
 
===International===
'''Argentina Youth'''<ref name="CareerTitles"/>
*[[FIFA World Youth Championship]]: [[1979 FIFA World Youth Championship|1979]]
 
'''Argentina'''<ref name="CareerTitles"/><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.rsssf.com/tablesa/artfranchi93.html |title=Artemio Franchi Trophy 1993 |publisher=RSSSF |author=Josef Bobrowsky |date=9 July 2009 |accessdate=16 September 2018 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20200730000344/http://www.rsssf.com/tablesa/artfranchi93.html |archivedate=19 October 2020 |url-status=live}}</ref>
*[[FIFA World Cup]]: [[1986 FIFA World Cup|1986]]
*[[Artemio Franchi Trophy]]: [[Artemio Franchi Trophy#1993|1993]]
 
===Individual===
[[File:The Champions Promenade, Diego Maradona - panoramio.jpg|thumb|right|Maradona's [[Golden Foot]] award in "The Champions Promenade" on the seafront of the Principality of [[Monaco]]]]
* [[List of Argentine Primera División top scorers|Argentine Primera División top scorers]]: [[1978 Argentine Primera División|1978 Metropolitano]], [[1979 Argentine Primera División|1979 Metropolitano]], [[1979 Argentine Primera División|1979 Nacional]], [[1980 Argentine Primera División|1980 Metropolitano]], [[1980 Argentine Primera División|1980 Nacional]]<ref name="Player Profile">{{cite web |url=https://www.fifa.com/fifa-tournaments/players-coaches/people=174732/profile.html |title=The Albiceleste underdog who conquered the world |publisher=FIFA |accessdate=27 February 2015}}</ref>
* [[FIFA U-20 World Cup#Awards|FIFA World Youth Championship Golden Ball]]: [[1979 FIFA World Youth Championship#Awards|1979]]<ref name="1979Youth"/>
* [[FIFA U-20 World Cup#Golden Boot|FIFA World Youth Championship Silver Shoe]]: [[1979 FIFA World Youth Championship|1979]]<ref name="1979Youth"/>
* [[Footballer of the Year of Argentina|Argentine Football Writers' Footballer of the Year]]: 1979, 1980, 1981, 1986<ref>[http://www.rsssf.com/miscellaneous/arg-poy.html “Argentina – Player of the Year”]. Rsssf.com. Retrieved 28 July 2018</ref>
* [[South American Footballer of the Year]]: (official award) 1979, 1980<ref name="Player Profile"/>
* [[Olimpia Award|Olimpia de Oro]]: 1979, 1986<ref>{{cite news |title=Todos los ganadores del oro, desde 1954 |url=http://www.lanacion.com.ar/972375-todos-los-ganadores-del-oro-desde-1954 |newspaper=La Nación |location=Buenos Aires |date=18 December 2007 |accessdate=24 December 2012 |language=Spanish |trans-title=All gold winners since 1954 |quote=1986 Diego Maradona (Fútbol)}}</ref>
* [[Guerin d'Oro]] (Serie A Footballer of the Year): 1985<ref>{{cite web |title=Guerin d'Oro |url=http://www.rsssf.com/miscellaneous/italpoy.html |publisher=[[Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation|RSSSF]] |accessdate=10 September 2015}}</ref>
* [[UNICEF]] European Footballer of the Season: 1989–90<ref>{{cite web |url=https://footballgreatones.files.wordpress.com/2017/06/ksuf-92.pdf |title=Best European footballers by season |publisher=Ukrainian Football |author1=Anatolii Skorobahatko |date=25 August 2015 |accessdate=2 June 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170823170312/https://footballgreatones.files.wordpress.com/2017/06/ksuf-92.pdf |archive-date=23 August 2017 |url-status=dead}} ([[Ukrainian language|ukr.]])</ref>
* [[Golden Ball (FIFA)|FIFA World Cup Golden Ball]]: [[1986 FIFA World Cup#Awards|1986]]<ref name="Player Profile"/>
* [[FIFA World Cup awards#Golden Boot|FIFA World Cup Silver Shoe]]: [[1986 FIFA World Cup#Awards|1986]]
* [[FIFA World Cup]] Most Assists: [[1986 FIFA World Cup|1986]]<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.planetworldcup.com/CUPS/1986/wc86statistics.html |title=World Cup 1986 – Statistics |publisher=Planetworldcup |accessdate=28 February 2015}}</ref>
* [[FIFA World Cup awards#All-Star Team|FIFA World Cup All-Star Team]]: [[1986 FIFA World Cup|1986]], [[1990 FIFA World Cup#All-star team|1990]]
* [[Onze d'Or]]: 1986, 1987<ref>{{cite web |last=Pierrend |first=José Luis |title="Onze Mondial" Awards |publisher=Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation |date=6 March 2012 |url=http://www.rsssf.com/miscellaneous/onze-awards.html |accessdate=26 December 2015}}</ref>
* [[L'Équipe#Champion of Champions|L'Équipe Champion of Champions]]: 1986
* [[United Press International Athlete of the Year Award]]: 1986
* ''[[World Soccer magazine|World Soccer]]'' magazine's [[World Soccer (magazine)#Award winners|Player of the Year]]: [[World Soccer (magazine)#Award winners|1986]]
* [[Capocannoniere]] (Serie A top scorer): [[1987–88 Serie A#Top Scorers|1987–88]]<ref name="Player Profile"/>
* [[Coppa Italia]] top scorer: 1987–88
* [[Golden Ball (FIFA)|FIFA World Cup Bronze Ball]]: [[1990 FIFA World Cup|1990]]<ref name="Player Profile"/>
* [[FIFA World Cup All-Time Team]]: 1994<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.rsssf.com/miscellaneous/wrldallt.html |title=World All-Time Teams |publisher=RSSSF |accessdate=30 June 2017}}</ref>
* South American Team of the Year: 1995<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.rsssf.com/miscellaneous/sam-toy.html |title=South American Team of the Year |date=16 January 2009 |accessdate=10 March 2015 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150121064015/http://www.rsssf.com/miscellaneous/sam-toy.html |archivedate=21 January 2015}}</ref>
* [[Ballon d'Or]] for services to football ([[France Football]]): 1995<ref>{{cite web |title=Combien de Ballon(s) d'Or France Football aurait pu remporter Diego Maradona ? |url=https://www.francefootball.fr/news/Combien-de-ballon-s-d-or-france-football-aurait-pu-remporter-diego-maradona/1187918 |website=[[France Football]] |language=fr |date=29 October 2020 |access-date=14 November 2020 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20201114121939/https://www.francefootball.fr/news/Combien-de-ballon-s-d-or-france-football-aurait-pu-remporter-diego-maradona/1187918 |archivedate=14 November 2020 |url-status=live}}</ref>
* [[World Team of the 20th Century]]: 1998<ref name="Player Profile"/>
* ''World Soccer'' magazine's [[World Soccer (magazine)#The Greatest Players of the 20th century|Greatest Players of the 20th century]]: (#2) 1999<ref name="World Soccer Players of the Century"/>
* Argentine Sports Writers' Sportsman of the Century: 1999
* [[Marca Leyenda]]: 1999<ref>[http://www.marca.com/marca-leyenda.html “Marca Leyenda: Diego Maradona”] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180717072614/http://www.marca.com/marca-leyenda.html |date=17 July 2018 }}. Marca. Retrieved 28 July 2018</ref>
* [[Squad number (association football)|Number '''10''']] [[Retired numbers in association football|retired]] by [[S.S.C. Napoli|Napoli]] football team as a recognition to his contribution to the club: [[S.S.C. Napoli#Retired numbers|2000]]<ref>[http://caracol.com.co/radio/2000/08/24/deportes/0967096800_058566.html Nápoli retira camiseta número 10 en homenaje a Maradona], Caracol, 24 August 2000</ref>
* [[FIFA Player of the Century]]: 2000<ref name="Player Profile"/>
* [[Goal of the Century|FIFA Goal of the Century]] (for his second goal against England in 1986 FIFA World Cup quarter-final): 2002<ref name="Player Profile"/>
* [[FIFA World Cup Dream Team]]: 2002<ref>[http://www.expressindia.com/news/fullstory.php?newsid=11759 “FIFA Dream Team: Maradona voted top player”] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121006001949/http://www.expressindia.com/news/fullstory.php?newsid=11759 |date=6 October 2012 }}. Reuters. 19 June 2002.</ref>
* [[Golden Foot]]: 2003, as [[Golden Foot#Award legends|football legend]]<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.goldenfoot.com/en/legends/item/284-diego-armando-maradona.html |title=Golden Foot – Diego Armando Maradona |accessdate=1 March 2015 |publisher=Goldenfoot.com |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150209063133/http://goldenfoot.com/en/legends/item/284-diego-armando-maradona.html |archivedate=9 February 2015 |df=}}</ref>
* [[FIFA 100|FIFA 100 Greatest Living Players]]: 2004<ref name="Player Profile"/>
* [[Argentine Senate]] ''"Domingo Faustino Sarmiento"'' recognition for lifetime achievement: 2005
* Greatest Footballers in World Cup History: No. 1, by ''[[The Times]]'', 2010<ref>[http://archivo.elcomercio.pe/sociedad/lima/diario-ingles-eligio-maradona-como-mejor-jugador-historia-mundiales-noticia-450486 “Un diario inglés eligió a Maradona como el mejor jugador de la historia de los mundiales”] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171230114600/http://archivo.elcomercio.pe/sociedad/lima/diario-ingles-eligio-maradona-como-mejor-jugador-historia-mundiales-noticia-450486 |date=30 December 2017 }}. El Comercio. Retrieved 28 July 2018</ref>
* Best Athlete in History: No. 1, by ''[[Corriere dello Sport – Stadio]]'', 2012<ref>[https://www.tifonapoli.it/cds-maradona-meglio-di-tutti-batte-anche-valentino-rossi/ “CdS, Maradona meglio di tutti, batte anche Valentino Rossi“] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180712090744/https://www.tifonapoli.it/cds-maradona-meglio-di-tutti-batte-anche-valentino-rossi/ |date=12 July 2018 }}. Corriere dello Sport. Retrieved 28 July 2018</ref>
* [[Globe Soccer Awards|Globe Soccer Awards Player Career Award]]: 2012<ref name=GSA>{{cite web |url=http://www.globesoccer.com/awards/walloffame/ |title=Wall of Fame |publisher=Globe Soccer.com |accessdate=28 December 2015}}</ref>
* ''World Soccer'' magazine's [[World Soccer (magazine)#Greatest XI of all time|Greatest XI of all time]]: 2013<ref>{{cite web |title=The Greatest XI: how the panel voted |url=http://www.worldsoccer.com/features/the-greatest-xi-how-the-panel-voted |publisher=World Soccer |author=Jamie Rainbow |date=2 July 2013}}</ref>
* Greatest Football Players of All-Time: No. 1 by ''[[FourFourTwo]]'' magazine, 2017<ref name="Murray"/>
* Greatest Football Players in World Cup History: No. 1, by ''FourFourTwo'' magazine, 2018<ref name="Greatest Football Players in World Cup History">[https://www.fourfourtwo.com/features/ranked-25-best-world-cup-players-ever?page=0%2C2 “Ranked! The 25 best World Cup players EVER”] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180618234056/https://www.fourfourtwo.com/features/ranked-25-best-world-cup-players-ever?page=0%2C2 |date=18 June 2018 }}. Four Four Two. Retrieved 28 July 2018</ref>
* [[S.S.C. Napoli#Statistics and records|Napoli all-time Top Scorer]] (1991–2017)<ref name="Fifa profile"/><ref name="Hamsik"/>
* [[Italian Football Hall of Fame]]: 2014<ref>{{cite web |url=http://vivoazzurro.it/en/news/italian-football-hall-of-fame-to-induct-ten-new-stars/ |title=Italian football Hall of Fame to induct ten new stars |date=25 October 2016 |accessdate=25 October 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161026183734/http://vivoazzurro.it/en/news/italian-football-hall-of-fame-to-induct-ten-new-stars/ |archive-date=26 October 2016 |url-status=dead}}</ref>
* [[Argentine Football Association|AFA Team of All Time]]: 2015<ref>{{cite web |title=La Selección de Todos los Tiempos |trans-title=The Team of All Time |publisher=Argentine Football Association |language=Spanish |date=4 January 2016 |url=http://www.afa.com.ar/3023/la-seleccion-de-todos-los-tiempos |accessdate=29 January 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180814210638/http://www.afa.com.ar/3023/la-seleccion-de-todos-los-tiempos |archive-date=14 August 2018 |url-status=dead}}</ref>
* [[L'Équipe]]'s top 50 South-American footballers in history: #2<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.lequipe.fr/Top/Football/top50-joueurs-sud-americains/3/ |title=Top 50 des joueurs sud-américains de l'histoire |trans-title=Top 50 South-American footballers in history |newspaper=L'Équipe |language=French |date=4 July 2015 |accessdate=6 July 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150704215531/http://www.lequipe.fr/Top/Football/top50-joueurs-sud-americains/3 |archive-date=4 July 2015 |url-status=dead}}</ref>
* [[International Federation of Football History & Statistics]] (IFFHS) Legends<ref>{{cite web |url=http://iffhs.de/iffhs-has-announced-the-48-football-legend-players/ |title=IFFHS announce the 48 football legend players |publisher=IFFHS |date=25 January 2016 |accessdate=14 September 2016}}</ref>
 
 
 
==তথ্যসূত্ৰ==
{{reflist|colwidth=30em}}
==Bibliography==
* Diego Armando Maradona, ''Yo Soy el Diego'', Planeta Pub. Corp, 2000, {{ISBN|84-08036-74-2}} (I am the Diego). {{in lang|es}}
 
==বাহ্যিক সংযোগ==