Loading

  • 21 Aug, 2019

  • By, Wikipedia

Maradona
Argentine professional footballer

Eponyms and public art

Films

Media

Family

Related

Diego Armando Maradona Franco (Spanish: [ˈdjeɣo maɾaˈðona]; 30 October 1960 – 25 November 2020) was an Argentine professional football player and manager. Widely regarded as one of the greatest players in the history of the sport, he was one of the two joint winners of the FIFA Player of the 20th Century award, alongside Pelé.

An advanced playmaker who operated in the classic number 10 position, Maradona's vision, passing, ball control, and dribbling skills were combined with his small stature, which gave him a low centre of gravity and allowed him to manoeuvre better than most other players. His presence and leadership on the field had a great effect on his team's general performance, while he would often be singled out by the opposition. In addition to his creative abilities, he possessed an eye for goal and was known to be a free kick specialist. A precocious talent, Maradona was given the nickname El Pibe de Oro ("The Golden Boy"), a name that stuck with him throughout his career.

Maradona was the first player to set the world record transfer fee twice: in 1982 when he transferred to Barcelona for £5 million, and in 1984 when he moved to Napoli for a fee of £6.9 million. He played for Argentinos Juniors, Boca Juniors, Barcelona, Napoli, Sevilla and Newell's Old Boys during his club career, and is most famous for his time at Napoli where he won numerous accolades and led the club to Serie A title wins twice. Maradona also had a troubled off-field life and his time with Napoli ended after he was banned for taking cocaine.

In his international career with Argentina, he earned 91 caps and scored 34 goals. Maradona played in four FIFA World Cups, including the 1986 World Cup in Mexico, where he captained Argentina and led them to victory over West Germany in the final, and won the Golden Ball as the tournament's best player. In the 1986 World Cup quarter final, he scored both goals in a 2–1 victory over England that entered football history for two different reasons. The first goal was an unpenalized handling foul known as the "Hand of God", while the second goal followed a 60 m (66 yd) dribble past five England players, voted "Goal of the Century" by FIFA.com voters in 2002.

Maradona became the coach of Argentina's national football team in November 2008. He was in charge of the team at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa before leaving at the end of the tournament. He then coached Dubai-based club Al Wasl in the UAE Pro-League for the 2011–12 season. In 2017, Maradona became the coach of Fujairah before leaving at the end of the season. In May 2018, Maradona was announced as the new chairman of Belarusian club Dynamo Brest. He arrived in Brest and was presented by the club to start his duties in July. From September 2018 to June 2019, Maradona was coach of Mexican club Dorados. He was the coach of Argentine Primera División club Gimnasia de La Plata from September 2019 until his death in 2020. He was ranked as the third best all time football player by FourFourTwo.

Early years

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 shantytown on the southern outskirts of Buenos Aires, Argentina. He was the first son after four daughters. He has two younger brothers, Hugo (el Turco) and Raúl (Lalo), both of whom were also professional football players. His father Diego Maradona "Chitoro" (1927–2015), who worked at a chemicals factory, was of Guaraní (Indigenous) and Galician (Spanish) descent, and his mother Dalma Salvadora Franco, "Doña Tota" (1930–2011), was of Italian and Croatian descent.

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.

— Francisco Cornejo, youth coach who discovered Maradona
Maradona playing at the Torneos Evita in 1973 (a national sporting event in Argentina) with the "Cebollitas"

Maradona's parents were both born and brought up in the town of Esquina in the north-east province of Corrientes on the banks of the Corriente River. In the 1950s, they left Esquina and settled in Buenos Aires. Maradona received his first football as a gift at age three and quickly became devoted to the game. At age eight, he was spotted by a talent scout while he was playing in his local club Estrella Roja. In March 1969 he was recommended to Los Cebollitas (The Little Onions), the junior team of Buenos Aires's Argentinos Juniors by his close friend and football rival Gregorio Carrizo who had already been picked by coach Francis Gregorio Cornejo. Maradona became a star for the Cebollitas, and as a 12-year-old ball boy he amused spectators by showing his ball skills during the halftime breaks of Argentinos Juniors' first division games. During 1973 and 1974, Maradona led Cebollitas to two Evita Tournament wins and 141 undefeated games in a row, playing alongside players like Adrian Domenech and Claudio Rodríguez, in what is regarded as the best youth team in the history of Argentine football. Maradona named Brazilian playmaker Rivellino and Manchester United winger George Best among his inspirations growing up.

Club career

Argentinos Juniors

Maradona's most famous nutmeg during his debut in the Primera División, 20 October 1976

On 20 October 1976, Maradona made his professional debut for Argentinos Juniors, 10 days before his 16th birthday, versus Talleres de Córdoba. He entered to the pitch wearing the number 16 jersey, and became the youngest player in the history of the Argentine Primera División. A few minutes into his debut, Maradona kicked the ball through the legs of Juan Domingo Cabrera, a nutmeg that would become symbolic of his talent. After the game, Maradona said: "That day I felt I had held the sky in my hands." 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." Maradona scored his first goal in the Primera División against Marplatense team San Lorenzo on 14 November 1976, two weeks after turning 16.

Boca Juniors

Maradona being held aloft by fans of Boca Juniors after winning the 1981 Metropolitano championship

Maradona spent five years at Argentinos Juniors, from 1976 to 1981, scoring 115 goals in 167 appearances before his US$4 million transfer to Boca Juniors. Maradona received offers to join other clubs, including River Plate who offered to make him the club's best paid player. However, River decided to drop its bid due to its large payroll in keeping Daniel Passarella and Ubaldo Fillol.

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. Despite the distrustful relationship between Maradona and Boca Juniors manager, Silvio Marzolini, Boca had a successful season, winning the league title after securing a point against Racing Club. That would be the only title won by Maradona in the Argentine domestic league.

Barcelona

"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."

—Barcelona teammate Lobo Carrasco

After the 1982 World Cup, in June, Maradona was transferred to Barcelona in Spain for a then world record fee of £5 million ($7.6 million). In 1983, under coach César Luis Menotti, Barcelona and Maradona won the Copa del Rey (Spain's annual national cup competition), beating Real Madrid, and the Spanish Super Cup, beating Athletic Bilbao. On 26 June 1983, Barcelona won away to Real Madrid 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 arch-rival Real Madrid fans. Maradona dribbled past Madrid goalkeeper Agustín, and as he approached the empty goal, he stopped just as Madrid defender Juan José came sliding in an attempt to block the shot. José ended up crashing into the post, before Maradona slotted the ball into the net. With the manner in which the goal was scored resulting in applause from opposition fans, 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.

The moment when Atlético de Bilbao defender Andoni Goikoetxea injured 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. First a bout of hepatitis, then a broken ankle in a La Liga game at the Camp Nou in September 1983 caused by a reckless tackle by Athletic Bilbao's Andoni Goikoetxea—nicknamed "the Butcher of Bilbao"—threatened to jeopardize Maradona's career, but with treatment and rehabilitation, it was possible for him to return to the pitch after a three-month recovery period.

Maradona with his fellow countryman Mario Kempes before a Barcelona match against Valencia in 1982

Maradona was directly involved in a violent and chaotic fight at the 1984 Copa del Rey Final at the Santiago Bernabéu in Madrid against Athletic Bilbao. After receiving another hard tackle by Goikoetxea, as well as being taunted with racist insults related to his father's Native American ancestry throughout the match by Bilbao fans, and being provoked by Bilbao's Miguel Sola at full time after Barcelona lost 1–0, Maradona snapped. 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. Maradona then headbutted Sola, elbowed another Bilbao player in the face and kneed another player in the head, knocking him out cold. 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.

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. 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. 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." Maradona got into frequent disputes with Barcelona executives, particularly club president Josep Lluís Núñez, culminating with a demand to be transferred out of the Camp Nou in 1984. During his two injury-hit seasons at Barcelona, Maradona scored 38 goals in 58 games. Maradona transferred to Napoli in Italy's Serie A for another world record fee, £6.9 million ($10.48 million).

Napoli

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. Sports writer David Goldblatt commented, "They [the fans] were convinced that the saviour had arrived." 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". Prior to Maradona's arrival, Italian football was dominated by teams from the north and centre of the country, such as AC Milan, Juventus, Inter Milan and Roma, and no team in the south of the Italian Peninsula had ever won a league title. This was perhaps the perfect scenario for Maradona and his working-class-sympathetic image, as he joined a once-great team that was facing relegation at the end of the 1983–84 Serie A season, in what was the toughest and most highly regarded football league in Europe.

At Napoli, Maradona reached the peak of his professional career: he soon inherited the captain's armband from Napoli veteran defender Giuseppe Bruscolotti 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. 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. Led by Maradona, Napoli won their first ever Serie A Italian Championship in 1986–87. 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.'" Murals of Maradona were painted on the city's ancient buildings, and newborn children were named in his honour. 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.

Napoli would win their second league title in 1989–90, and finish runners up in the league twice, in 1987–88 and 1988–89. Other honours during the Maradona era at Napoli included the Coppa Italia in 1987 (as well as a second-place finish in the Coppa Italia in 1989), the UEFA Cup in 1989, and the Italian Supercup in 1990. During the 1989 UEFA Cup Final against Stuttgart, Maradona scored from a penalty in a 2–1 home victory in the first leg, later assisting Careca's match-winning goal, while in the second leg on 17 May—a 3–3 away draw—he assisted Ciro Ferrara's goal with a header. Despite primarily playing in a creative role as an attacking midfielder, Maradona was the top scorer in Serie A in 1987–88 with 15 goals, and was the all-time leading goalscorer for Napoli, with 115 goals, until his record was broken by Marek Hamšík in 2017. When asked who was the toughest player he ever faced, AC Milan central defender Franco Baresi stated it was Maradona, a view shared by his Milan teammate Paolo Maldini.

Although 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". He faced a scandal there regarding an illegitimate son, and he was also the object of some suspicion over an alleged friendship with the Camorra crime syndicate. He also faced intense backlash and harassment from some local fans after the 1990 World Cup, in which he and Argentina beat Italy in a semi-final match at the San Paolo stadium. In 2000, the number 10 jersey of Napoli was officially retired. On 4 December 2020, nine days after Maradona's death, Napoli's home stadium was renamed Stadio Diego Armando Maradona.

Late career

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 Marseille, he signed for Sevilla, where he stayed for one year. In 1993, he played for Newell's Old Boys and in 1995 returned to Boca Juniors for a two-year stint. Maradona also appeared for Tottenham Hotspur in a testimonial match for Osvaldo Ardiles against Internazionale, shortly before the 1986 World Cup. In 1996, he played in a friendly match alongside his brother Raul for Toronto Italia against the Canadian National Soccer League All-Stars. In 2000, he captained Bayern Munich in a friendly against the German national team in the farewell game of Lothar Matthäus. Maradona was himself given a testimonial match in November 2001, played between an all-star World XI and the Argentina national team, scoring two penalty kicks in a 6–3 win.

International career

See also: List of international goals scored by Diego Maradona
Maradona on the ball against the Soviet Union in the 1979 FIFA World Youth Championship Final in Japan

Debut at age 16; 1979 World Youth Championship

Maradona made his full international debut at age 16, against Hungary, on 27 February 1977, only four months after his professional debut for the Argentinos Juniors team.

He was left off the Argentine squad for the 1978 World Cup on home soil by coach César Luis Menotti who felt he was too young at age 17. On 3 November 1978, just a few days after turning 18, Maradona played for the U20 Argentina team in a friendly match against Franz Beckenbauer's New York Cosmos, scoring twice in a 2–1 win.

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, scoring a total of six goals in six appearances in the tournament. On 2 June 1979, Maradona scored his first senior international goal in a 3–1 win against Scotland at Hampden Park. He went on to play for Argentina in two 1979 Copa América ties during August 1979, a 2–1 loss against Brazil and a 3–0 win over Bolivia in which he scored his side's third goal. 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." 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 and 1986, which Messi emulated in 2005 and 2014 (and again in 2022).

1982 World Cup

Maradona played his first World Cup tournament in 1982 in his new country of residence, Spain. Argentina played Belgium in the opening game of the 1982 Cup at the Camp Nou in Barcelona. Maradona did not perform to expectations, as Argentina, the defending champions, lost 1–0. Although the team convincingly beat both Hungary and 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. With 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 and by eventual winners Italy. The Italian match is renowned for Maradona being aggressively man-marked by Claudio Gentile, as Italy beat Argentina at the Sarrià Stadium in Barcelona, 2–1.

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 Batista.

1986 World Cup

The moment when Maradona flicks the ball with the hand past the outstretched arm of Peter Shilton, also known as the "Hand of God"

Maradona captained the Argentine national team to victory in the 1986 World Cup in Mexico, winning the final in Mexico City against West Germany. Throughout the tournament, Maradona asserted his dominance and was the most dynamic player of the competition. He played every minute of every Argentina game, scoring five goals and making five assists; three of the assists came in the opening match against South Korea at the Olímpico Universitario Stadium in Mexico City. His first goal of the tournament came against Italy in the second group game in Puebla. Argentina eliminated Uruguay in the first knockout round in Puebla, setting up a match against England at the Azteca Stadium, also in Mexico City.

After scoring two contrasting goals in the 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'Équipe describing Maradona as "half-angel, half-devil". 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". It became known as the "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.

"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."

—Bryon Butler's BBC Radio commentary on Maradona's second goal against England.

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 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 feint, and slotted the ball into the net. This goal was voted "Goal of the Century" in a 2002 online poll conducted by FIFA. A 2002 Channel 4 poll in the UK saw his performance ranked number 6 in the list of the 100 Greatest Sporting Moments.

Maradona right before scoring the "Goal of the Century" (four minutes after his "Hand of God" goal) against England in Mexico 1986. In 2022, his shirt sold for £7.1 million ($9.3 million), the highest for a piece of sports memorabilia.

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 him, but in the 84th minute he nevertheless found space past West German player Lothar Matthäus to give the final pass to Jorge Burruchaga for the winning goal. Argentina beat West Germany 3–2 in front of 115,000 fans at the Azteca with Maradona lifting the World Cup as captain.

During the tournament, Maradona attempted or created more than half of Argentina's shots, attempted a tournament-best 90 dribbles—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. Maradona scored or assisted ten 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. 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. Zinedine Zidane, watching the 1986 World Cup as a 14-year-old, stated Maradona "was on another level". 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.

Maradona holding the FIFA World Cup trophy after winning the final to West Germany.

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," while Kevin Baxter of the Los Angeles Times called it "one of the greatest individual performances in tournament history," with Steven Goff of The Washington Post dubbing his performance as "one of the finest in tournament annals." 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." In a 2009 article for CBC Sports, John Molinaro described the goal as "the greatest ever scored in the tournament – and, maybe, in soccer." In a 2018 article for Sportsnet, he added: "No other player, not even Pel[é] in 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."

1990 World Cup

Maradona captained Argentina again in the 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, and the team were missing three of their best players due to injury. After losing their opening game to Cameroon at the San Siro in Milan, Argentina were almost eliminated in the group stage, 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.

In the quarter-final, Argentina faced 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 final in Rome, Argentina lost 1–0 to West Germany, the only goal being a controversial penalty scored by Andreas Brehme in the 85th minute, after Rudi Völler was adjudged to be fouled.

1993 Artemio Franchi Cup

On 24 February 1993, Maradona returned to the team when Argentina played the 1993 Artemio Franchi Cup against Denmark in Mar del Plata. Argentina won 5–4 in a penalty shoot-out after a 1–1 draw.

1994 World Cup

At the 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, before being sent home after failing a drug test for ephedrine doping. After scoring Argentina's third goal against Greece, Maradona had one of the most remarkable World Cup goal celebrations as he ran towards one of the sideline cameras shouting with a distorted face and bulging eyes, in sheer elation of his return to international football. This turned out to be Maradona's last international goal for Argentina. 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 what were two very strong showings by the Argentine team.

In his autobiography, Maradona argued that the test result was due to his personal trainer giving him the energy 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 round of 16 by Romania in Los Angeles, having been a weaker team without Maradona, even with players like Gabriel Batistuta and Claudio Caniggia on the squad. Maradona 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. His failed drug test at the 1994 World Cup signalled the end of his international career, which lasted 17 years and yielded 34 goals from 91 games, including one winner's medal and one runners-up medal in the World Cup.

Copa América (1979, 1987 and 1989)

Maradona appeared in three Copa Américas (1979, 1987 and 1989), but never won the title. At the 1987 Copa América in Argentina, he scored three goals in four matches, but Argentinia lost the semi-final 0–1 against eventual winners Uruguay.

Inofficial internationals

Alongside official internationals, Maradona also played and scored for an Argentina XI against the World XI in 1978 to mark the first anniversary of their first World Cup win, scored for The Americas against the World in a UNICEF fundraiser a short time after the 1986 triumph, a year after that captained the 'Rest of the World' against the English Football League XI to celebrate the organization's centenary (after reportedly securing a £100,000 appearance fee) and was on the scoresheet for the Argentina XI once more in his own 'farewell match' in 2001.

Player profile

Style of play

See also: Creole football
Maradona exhibiting his ball control in a match against Lazio. Michel Platini stated, "Diego was capable of things no one else could match. The things I could do with a football, he could do with an orange."

Described as a "classic number 10" in the media, Maradona was a traditional playmaker who usually played in a free role, either as an attacking midfielder behind the forwards, or as a second striker in a front–two, although he was also deployed as an offensive–minded central midfielder in a 4–4–2 formation on occasion. A precocious talent, Maradona was given the nickname "El Pibe de Oro" ("The Golden Boy"), a name that stuck with him throughout his career. He was renowned for his dribbling ability, vision, close ball control, passing and creativity, and is considered to have been one of the most skilful players in the sport. 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, 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.

Viewed as one of the best dribblers in the game, Maradona (pictured on the ball against Belgium in 1986) would often go on runs against the opposition.

On his dribbling ability, former Dutch player Johan Cruyff saw similarities between Maradona and Lionel Messi with the ball seemingly attached to their boot. 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, he was also a strategist and an intelligent team player, with excellent spatial awareness, as well as being highly technical with the ball. He was effective in limited spaces, and would attract defenders only to quickly dash out of the melee (as in the second goal against England in 1986), 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. While he was primarily a creative playmaker, Maradona was also known for his finishing and goalscoring ability. 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.

The 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.

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". 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."

"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."

—Lionel Messi, the player most closely identified with the "New Maradona" label.

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. This manoeuvre led to several assists, such as the cross for Ramón Díaz's header against Switzerland in 1980. Moreover, he was also a well–known proponent of the roulette, a feint which involved him dragging the ball back first with one foot and then the other, while simultaneously performing a 360° turn; due to his penchant for using this move, it has even occasionally been described as the "Maradona turn" in the media. He was also a dangerous free kick and penalty kick taker, who was renowned for his ability to bend the ball from corners and direct set pieces. Regarded as one of the best dead-ball specialists of all time, 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. His style of taking free kicks influenced several other specialists, including Gianfranco Zola, Andrea Pirlo, and Lionel Messi.

Maradona was famous for his cunning personality. 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. 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—"cunning of the criollos". Although critical of the illegitimate first goal, England striker Gary Lineker conceded, "When Diego scored that second goal against us, I felt like applauding. It was impossible to score such a beautiful goal. He's the greatest player of all time, by a long way. A genuine phenomenon." 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 from scoring. A number of publications have referred to Maradona as the Artful Dodger, the urchin pickpocket from Charles Dickens' Oliver Twist.

Maradona was dominantly left-footed, often using his left foot even when the ball was positioned more suitably for a right-footed connection. 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 World Cup second-round tie against Brazil, he used 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.

Reception

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.
Maradona (right) and Lionel Messi in The Sistine Chapel of Football painting, on a ceiling of a sports club in Barracas, Buenos Aires

Maradona is widely regarded as the best player of his generation. He is considered one of the greatest players of all time by pundits, players, and managers, and by some as the best player ever. Known as one of the most skilful players in the game, he is regarded as one of the greatest dribblers and free kick takers in history. A precocious talent in his youth, 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." 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." However, although, as Bianchi noted, Maradona was known for making "great plays" and doing "unimaginable" and "incredible things" with the ball during training sessions, 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.

In a 2019 documentary film on his life, Diego Maradona, 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." 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.

A controversial figure in the sport, 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. 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." Franco 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," while fellow former Italy defender Giuseppe Bergomi described Maradona as the greatest player of all time in 2018. Zlatan Ibrahimović said that his off-field antics did not matter, and that he should only be judged for the impact he made on the field. "For me Maradona is more than football. What he did as a footballer, in my opinion, he will be remembered forever. When you see number 10 who do you think about? Maradona. It is a symbol, even today there are those who choose that number for him."

Today his skills would afford him greater protection. Back then they merely served as the red rag of provocation that would guarantee he would be the victim of brutal challenges wherever he played. The rules changed as a direct result of some of the injuries Maradona received. When I interviewed him a few years ago, he told me he thought players such as Lionel Messi owed him a great deal because some of the tackles he had endured would never be allowed today.

— Guillem Balagué writing for the BBC in 2020 on 'the magician, the cheat, the god, the flawed genius'.

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". Along with Pelé, Maradona was one of the two joint winners of the "FIFA Player of the Century" award in 2000, and also placed fifth in "IFFHS' Century Elections". In a 2014 FIFA poll, Maradona was voted the second-greatest number 10 of all time, behind only Pelé, 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 World Cup in Brazil, once again behind Pelé. In 2017, FourFourTwo ranked him in first place in their list of "100 greatest players", 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"; 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". In May 2020, Sky Sports ranked Maradona as the best player never to have won the UEFA Champions League/European Cup.

Retirement and tributes

Diego Maradona's blaugrana shirt on display in the FC Barcelona Museum

Hounded for years by the press, Maradona once fired a compressed-air rifle at reporters whom he claimed were invading his privacy. This quote from former teammate Jorge Valdano summarises the feelings of many:

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.

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 April 1996, Maradona had a three-round exhibition boxing match with Santos Laciar for charity. In 2000, Maradona published his autobiography Yo Soy El Diego ("I am The Diego"), which became a bestseller in Argentina. Two years later, Maradona donated the Cuban royalties of his book to "the Cuban people and Fidel".

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. 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). In 2001, the Argentine Football Association (AFA) asked FIFA for authorization to 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.

Maradona has topped a number of fan polls, including a 2002 FIFA poll in which his second goal against England was chosen as the 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 World Cup Players of All Time' by the London-based newspaper The Times. Argentinos Juniors named its 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, which was playing in Serie A at the time.

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.

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 season, which coincided with Boca's centenary). 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 2005 Copa Sudamericana, and the 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, La Noche del 10 led the ratings on all occasions but one. Most guests were drawn from the worlds of football and show business, including 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. Maradona gave each of his guests a signed Argentina jersey, which Tyson wore when he arrived in Brazil, Argentina's biggest rivals. In November 2005, however, Maradona rejected an offer to work with Argentina's national football team.

In May 2006, Maradona agreed to take part in UK's Soccer Aid (a program to raise money for UNICEF). 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. In 2008, Serbian filmmaker Emir Kusturica made Maradona, a documentary about Maradona's life.

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. 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. Unusually, both Baggio and Maradona wore the number 10 shirt, despite playing on the same team. 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 Hand of God, and paid tribute to him by giving him a signed Argentine jersey.

Managerial career

Club management

Maradona greeting fans after being appointed manager of Dubai club Al Wasl of UAE in 2011

Maradona began his managerial career alongside former Argentinos Juniors midfield teammate Carlos Fren. The pair led Mandiyú of Corrientes in 1994 and 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. In August 2013, Maradona moved on to become 'spiritual coach' at Argentine club Deportivo Riestra. Maradona departed this role in 2017 to become the head coach of Fujairah, in the UAE second division, before leaving at the end of the season upon failure to secure promotion at the club. In May 2018, Maradona was announced as the new chairman of Belarusian club Dynamo Brest. He arrived in Brest and was presented by the club to start his duties in July. In September 2018, he was appointed manager of Mexican second division side Dorados. He made his debut with Dorados on 17 September with a 4–1 victory over Cafetaleros de Tapachula. 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.

On 5 September 2019, Maradona was unveiled as the new head coach of Gimnasia de La Plata, signing a contract until the end of the season. After two months in charge he left the club on 19 November. However, two days later, Maradona rejoined the club as manager saying that "we finally achieved political unity in the club". Maradona insisted that Gabriel Pellegrino remain club president if he were to stay with Gimnasia de La Plata. However it was still not clear if Pellegrino, who declined to run for re-election, would stay on as club President. Originally scheduled to be held on 23 November, the election was delayed 15 days. On 15 December, Pellegrino, who was encouraged by Maradona to seek re-election, was re-elected to a three-year term. Despite having a bad record during the 2019–20 season, Gimnasia renewed Maradona's contract on 3 June 2020 for the 2020–21 season. In November 2020, Maradona died in post. His coaching staff resigned from the club following his death.

International management

After the resignation of 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, Maradona managed Argentina for the first time when they played against Scotland at Hampden Park in Glasgow, which Argentina won 1–0.

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 as the coach of the national team, he oversaw a 6–1 defeat to Bolivia, equalling the team's worst ever margin of defeat. With two matches remaining in the 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. 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". FIFA responded with a two-month ban on all footballing activity, which expired on 15 January 2010, and a CHF 25,000 fine, with a warning as to his future conduct. The friendly match scheduled to take place at home to the 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, which they lost 4–2.

At the 2010 FIFA World Cup, Argentina started by winning 1–0 against Nigeria, followed by a 4–1 victory over South Korea on the strength of a Gonzalo Higuaín hat-trick. In the final match of the group stage, Argentina won 2–0 against Greece to win the group and advance to a second round, meeting Mexico. After defeating Mexico 3–1, however, Argentina was routed by Germany 4–0 in the quarter-finals to go out of the competition. Argentina was ranked fifth in the tournament. After the defeat to Germany, Maradona admitted that he was reconsidering his future as Argentina's coach, stating, "I may leave tomorrow." On 15 July, 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 staged the World Cup. On 27 July, however, the AFA announced that its board had unanimously decided not to renew his contract. 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."

Personal life

Family

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 1989 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 after she married Sergio Agüero (now divorced).

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 World Cup. During the divorce proceedings, Maradona admitted that he was 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. Sinagra is now a footballer playing in Italy.

After the divorce, Claudia embarked on a career as a theatre producer, and Dalma sought an acting career; she previously had expressed her desire to attend the Actors Studio West in Los Angeles.

Maradona's relationship with his immediate family was a close one. In a 1990 interview with Sports Illustrated, he showed phone bills where he had spent a minimum of $15,000 US per month calling his parents and siblings. 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.

In 2014, Maradona was accused of assaulting his girlfriend, Rocío Oliva, allegations which he denied. In 2017, he gifted her a house in Bella Vista, but in December 2018 they split up. Maradona's great-nephew Hernán López is also a professional footballer.

Drug abuse and health problems

Maradona at the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia, where he was treated by paramedics after collapsing following Argentina's victory over Nigeria

From the mid-1980s until 2004, Maradona was addicted to cocaine. He allegedly began using the drug in Barcelona in 1983. By the time he was playing for Napoli, he had a full-blown addiction, which interfered with his ability to play football. 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. Maradona was banned from football in both 1991 and 1994 for abusing drugs.

Maradona had a tendency to put on weight and suffered increasingly from obesity, at one point weighing 280 lb (130 kg). He was obese from the end of his playing career until undergoing gastric bypass surgery in a clinic in Cartagena, Colombia, on 6 March 2005. His surgeon said that Maradona would follow a liquid diet for three months in order to return to his normal weight. When Maradona resumed public appearances shortly thereafter, he displayed a notably thinner figure.

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. In the following days, there were constant rumours about his health, including three false claims of his death within a month. After being transferred to a psychiatric clinic specializing in alcohol-related problems, Maradona was discharged on 7 May. On 8 May, Maradona appeared on Argentine television and stated that he had quit drinking and had not used drugs in two and a half years. During the 2018 World Cup match between Argentina and Nigeria, Maradona was shown on television cameras behaving extremely erratically, with an abundance of white residue visible on the glass in front of his seat in the stands. The smudges could have been fingerprints, and he later blamed his behaviour on consuming lots of wine. In January 2019, Maradona underwent surgery after a hernia caused internal bleeding in his stomach.

Political views

Maradona (right) presenting a signed jersey to the former President of Argentina Néstor Kirchner in December 2007

Maradona was ideologically left-wing. He supported the establishment of an independent Palestinian state and condemned Israel's military strikes in the Gaza Strip during the 2014 Israel–Gaza conflict, saying: "What Israel is doing to the Palestinians is shameful." He became friends with Cuban president 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." Maradona had a portrait of Castro tattooed on his left leg and one of Fidel's second in command, fellow Argentine Che Guevara on his right arm. In his autobiography, El Diego, he dedicated the book to various people, including Castro. He wrote: "To Fidel Castro and, through him, all the Cuban people." In 1990, he visited Lenin's Mausoleum in Red Square.

Maradona, then-president Cristina Fernández de Kirchner and Evo Morales, at the funeral of former President of Argentina Néstor Kirchner, 28 October 2010

Maradona voiced support for Bolivia's president Evo Morales and was also a supporter of former Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez. In 2005, he came to Venezuela to meet Chávez, who received him in the presidential Miraflores Palace. After the meeting, Maradona said that he had come to meet a "great man" (un grande, which can also mean "a big man", in Spanish), but had instead met a gigantic man (un gigante). He also stated, "I believe in Chávez, I am a Chavista. Everything Fidel does, everything Chávez does, for me is the best." Maradona was Chávez's guest of honour at the opening game of the 2007 Copa América held in Venezuela. In a 2017 interview, Maradona praised Russian president Vladimir Putin and considered him, along with Chavez and Castro, to be among the best political leaders in the world, stating: "Putin is a man who can bring peace to many in this world. He’s a phenomenon; simply a phenomenon".

Many sportsmen claim to be champions of the people, but Maradona's populism is underwritten by his itinerary — the proletarian strongholds of Buenos Aires, Naples, and now Havana.

— Martin Amis writing for The Guardian, 2004.

In 2004, Maradona participated in a protest against the U.S.-led war in Iraq. Maradona declared his opposition to what he identified as imperialism, particularly during the 2005 Summit of the Americas in Mar del Plata, Argentina. There he protested George W. Bush's presence in Argentina, wearing a T-shirt labelled "STOP BUSH" (with the "s" in "Bush" being replaced with a swastika) and referring to Bush as "human garbage". In August 2007, Maradona went further, making an appearance on Chávez's weekly television show Aló Presidente and saying, "I hate everything that comes from the United States. I hate it with all my strength." By December 2008, Maradona seemed to adopt a more positive U.S. attitude and expressed admiration for Bush's successor, then-President-elect Barack Obama, for whom he had great expectations. However, in 2017, Maradona was critical of President Donald Trump and called him "a cartoon character".

"I asked myself, 'Who is this man? Who is this footballing magician, this 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."

—Emir Kusturica, film director

With his poor shanty town (villa miseria) upbringing, Maradona cultivated a man-of-the-people persona. During a meeting with Pope John Paul II at the 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!" In September 2014, Maradona met with Pope Francis in Rome, crediting Francis for inspiring him to return to religion after many years away; 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."

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. 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. Maradona attended Maduro's final campaign rally in Caracas, signing footballs and kicking them to the crowd, and presented Maduro with an Argentina jersey. Having visited Chávez's tomb with Maradona, Maduro said, "Speaking with Diego was very emotional because comandante Chávez also loved him very much." Maradona participated and danced at the electoral campaign rally during the 2018 presidential elections in Venezuela. 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.

Maradona (center) visiting Argentina's new president Alberto Fernández (right) in December 2019

Maradona in his 2000 autobiography Yo Soy El Diego, linked the "Hand of God" goal against England at the 1986 World Cup to the Falklands War: "Although we had said before the game that football had nothing to do with the Malvinas [Falklands] War, we knew they had killed a lot of Argentine boys there, killed them like little birds. And this was revenge." In October 2015, Maradona thanked Queen Elizabeth II and the Houses of Parliament in London for giving him the chance to provide "true justice" as head of an organization designed to help young children. 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.

Failure to pay tax

In March 2009, Italian officials announced that Maradona still owed the Italian government €37 million in local taxes, €23.5 million of which was accrued interest on his original debt. They reported that at that point, Maradona had paid only €42,000, two luxury watches and a set of earrings. He was posthumously cleared of the accusations in January 2024 by the Supreme Court of Cassation.

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. A day later, he underwent emergency brain surgery to treat a subdural hematoma. He was released on 12 November after successful surgery and was supervised by doctors as an outpatient. On 25 November, at the age of 60, Maradona suffered cardiac arrest and died in his sleep at his home in Dique Luján, Buenos Aires Province, Argentina. Maradona's coffin – draped in Argentina's national flag and three Maradona number 10 shirts (Argentinos Juniors, Boca Juniors and Argentina) – lay in state at the Presidential Palace, the Casa Rosada, with mourners filing past his coffin. On 26 November, Maradona's wake, which was attended by tens of thousands of people, was cut short by his family as his coffin was relocated from the rotunda of the Presidential Palace after fans took over an inner courtyard and also clashed with police. The same day, a private funeral service was held and Maradona was buried next to his parents at the Jardín de Bella Vista cemetery in Bella Vista, Buenos Aires.

Tributes

"I have lost a great friend and the world has lost a legend. There's still so much to be said, but for now, may God give strength to his relatives. One day I hope we can play football together in heaven."

— Pelé paying tribute following Maradona's death

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." President Alberto Fernández announced three days of national mourning. UEFA and CONMEBOL announced that every match in the Champions League, Europa League, Copa Libertadores, and Copa Sudamericana would hold a moment of silence prior to kickoff. Boca Juniors' game was postponed in respect to Maradona. Subsequently, other confederations around the world followed suit, with every fixture observing a minute of silence, starting with the 2020 AFC Champions League's fixtures. In addition to the minute of silence in Serie A, an image of Maradona was projected on stadium screens in the 10th minute of play.

In Naples, the Stadio San Paolo—officially renamed Stadio Diego Armando Maradona on 4 December 2020—was illuminated at night in honour of Maradona, with numerous fans gathering outside the stadium placing murals and paintings as a tribute. Both Napoli owner Aurelio De Laurentiis and the mayor of Naples Luigi de Magistris expressed their desire to rename their stadium after Maradona, which was unanimously approved by Naples City Council. Prior to Napoli's Europa League match against Rijeka the day after Maradona's death, all of the Napoli players wore shirts with "Maradona 10" on the back of them, before observing a minute of silence. Figures in the sport from every continent around the world also paid tribute to him. Celebrities and other sports people outside football also paid tribute to Maradona.

On 27 November 2020, the Aditya School of Sports in Barasat, Kolkata, India named their cricket stadium after Maradona. Three years earlier Maradona had conducted a workshop with 100 kids in the stadium and played a charity match at the same venue with former Indian cricket captain, Sourav Ganguly. The AFA announced that the 2020 Copa de la Liga Profesional, which is the debut season of Copa de la Liga Profesional, would be renamed Copa Diego Armando Maradona. On 28 November, Pakistan Football Federation's main cup PFF National Challenge Cup honoured Maradona along with Wali Mohammad. In a rugby union test match between Argentina and New Zealand on 28 November, as the New Zealand team lined up to perform the haka their captain Sam Cane presented a black jersey with Maradona's name and his number 10. On 29 November, compatriot Lionel Messi scored in Barcelona's 4–0 home win over Osasuna in La Liga, dedicating his goal to Maradona by revealing a Newell's Old Boys shirt worn by the latter under his own, and subsequently pointing to the sky.

On 30 November, after Boca Juniors opened the scoring against Newell's Old Boys at La Bombonera, the club's players paid an emotional tribute by laying a Maradona jersey in front of his private suite where his daughter Dalma was present.

Aftermath

In May 2021, seven medical professionals were charged with homicide over Maradona's death, in violation of their duties, and could face between eight and 25 years in prison if convicted. On 25 June, psychiatrist Agustina Cosachov was summoned by the Prosecution Office of San Isidro and faced a formal questioning, where she agreed to answer more than 100 queries regarding the medical treatment given to Maradona in that medical field. After seven hours of questioning, Cosachov's lawyer Vadim Mischanchuk addressed the press and denied that Cosachov's prescription medication could have worsened Maradona's heart condition, and Cosachov further denied any responsibility in the death. On 28 June, multiple arrest warrants were requested by a plaintiff lawyer against Cosachov, personal doctor Leopoldo Luque, psychologist Carlos Díaz, and doctor Nancy Forlini in direct connection with Maradona's alleged negligent death. On 1 July, the prosecutors in the case refused to ask a judge to issue arrest warrants against all the aforementioned professionals, on the basis that they considered the request had been a media stunt ("incursión mediática") for the case, coinciding with personal doctor Luque's interrogation.

In June 2022, a judge ruled that eight medical personnel should face trial for criminal negligence and homicide in regards to Maradona's death.

On 18 April 2023, the Court of Appeals and Guarantees of San Isidro upheld the June 2022 ruling where eight medical personnel, including physician Luque and psychiatrist Cosachov, should face trial on the charge of "simple homicide with malice aforethought". The accused face between eight and 25 years in prison if found guilty.

Graffiti of Maradona. His nickname D10S alludes to his playing number and the Spanish word for God.

In Argentina, Maradona is considered an icon. Concerning the idolatry that exists in his country, former teammate Jorge Valdano said:

"At the time that Maradona retired from active football, he left Argentina traumatized. Maradona was more than just a great footballer. He was a special compensation factor for a country that in a few years lived through several military dictatorships and social frustrations of all kinds. Maradona offered to Argentines a way out of their collective frustration, and that's why people there love him as a divine figure."

In leading his nation to the 1986 World Cup, and in particular his performance and two goals in the quarter-final against England, Guillem Balagué writes: "That Sunday in Mexico City, the world saw one man single-handedly – in more than one sense of the phrase – lift the mood of a depressed and downtrodden nation into the stratosphere. With two goals in the space of four minutes, he allowed them to dare to dream that they, like him, could be the best in the world. He did it first by nefarious and then spellbindingly brilliant means. In those moments, he went from star player to legend."

Since 1986, it has been common for Argentines abroad to hear Maradona's name as a token of recognition, even in remote places. The Tartan Army sing a version of the Hokey Cokey in honour of the Hand of God goal against England. In Argentina, Maradona is often talked about in terms reserved for legends. In the Argentine film El hijo de la novia ("Son of the Bride"), somebody who impersonates a 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 cameos 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, using Maradona as the main character. Maradona has had several online Flash games that are entirely dedicated to his legacy. In Rosario, Argentina, locals organized the parody religion of the "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.

Maradona (middle) with Queen during the rock band's 1981 South American tour

Many Argentine artists performed songs in tribute to Diego, such as "La Mano de Dios" by 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, and "La Vida Tómbola" by Manu Chao, among others. There are also other films, such as: Maradona, La Mano de Dios (Maradona, the Hand of God), Amando a Maradona (Loving Maradona), and Maradona by Kusturica. In March 1981, Queen were introduced to Maradona backstage during their concert at the Vélez Sarsfield Stadium.

By 1982, Maradona had become one of the biggest sports stars in the world and had endorsements with many companies, including Puma and Coca-Cola, earning him an additional $1.5 million per year on top of his club salary. In 1982, he featured in a World Cup commercial for Coca-Cola, and a Japanese commercial for Puma. In 1984 he earned $7m a year at Napoli, and sponsorships included $5m from Hitachi. In 1984, a poll from IMG named Maradona the best known person in the world. 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. Maradona featured in the music video to the 2010 World Cup song "Waka Waka" by Shakira, with footage shown of him celebrating Argentina winning the 1986 World Cup.

Banners depicting Maradona – such as this where he features alongside Lionel Messi at the 2018 World Cup in Russia – 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 and Kaká. Later on in the commercial he wakes up realizing it was a nightmare after having too much of the drink. This generated some controversy in the Argentine media after its release (although the commercial was not supposed to air for the Argentine market, fans could see it online). Maradona replied that he had no problem wearing the Brazilian national squad jersey despite Argentina and Brazil's tense football rivalry, but that he would refuse to wear the shirt of River Plate, Boca Juniors' traditional rival. There is a documented phenomenon of Brazilians being named in honour of Maradona, an example being footballer Diego Costa.

In 2017, Maradona featured as a legendary player in the football video games FIFA 18 and Pro Evolution Soccer 2018. In 2019, a documentary film titled Diego Maradona was released by Academy Award and BAFTA Award winning filmmaker Asif Kapadia, director of Amy (on singer Amy Winehouse) and Senna (on motor racing driver Ayrton Senna). Kapadia stated that " ...Maradona is the third part of a trilogy about child geniuses and fame." 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."

Career statistics

Maradona made 680 appearances and scored 345 goals for club and country combined, with a goalscoring average of 0.51.

Club

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League National cup Continental Other Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Argentinos Juniors 1976 Argentine Primera División 11 2 – – – 11 2
1977 Argentine Primera División 49 19 – – – 49 19
1978 Argentine Primera División 35 26 – – – 35 26
1979 Argentine Primera División 26 26 – – – 26 26
1980 Argentine Primera División 45 43 – – – 45 43
Total 166 116 – – – 166 116
Boca Juniors 1981 Argentine Primera División 40 28 – – – 40 28
Barcelona 1982–83 La Liga 20 11 5 3 4 5 6 4 35 23
1983–84 La Liga 16 11 4 1 3 3 – 23 15
Total 36 22 9 4 7 8 6 4 58 38
Napoli 1984–85 Serie A 30 14 6 3 – – 36 17
1985–86 Serie A 29 11 2 2 – – 31 13
1986–87 Serie A 29 10 10 7 2 0 – 41 17
1987–88 Serie A 28 15 9 6 2 0 – 39 21
1988–89 Serie A 26 9 12 7 12 3 – 50 19
1989–90 Serie A 28 16 3 2 5 0 – 36 18
1990–91 Serie A 18 6 3 2 4 2 1 0 26 10
Total 188 81 45 29 25 5 1 0 259 115
Sevilla 1992–93 La Liga 26 5 4 2 – – 30 7
Newell's Old Boys 1993–94 Argentine Primera División 5 0 – – – 5 0
Boca Juniors 1995–96 Argentine Primera División 24 5 – – – 24 5
1996–97 Argentine Primera División 1 0 – – 1 0 2 0
1997–98 Argentine Primera División 5 2 – – – 5 2
Total 70 35 – – 1 0 71 35
Career total 491 259 58 35 32 13 8 4 589 311
  1. ^ Includes Copa del Rey, Coppa Italia
  2. ^ Appearances in European Cup Winners' Cup
  3. ^ Appearances in Copa de la Liga
  4. ^ Appearances in UEFA Cup
  5. ^ Appearances in European Cup
  6. ^ Appearance in Supercoppa Italiana
  7. ^ Appearance in Supercopa Libertadores

International

Further information: List of international goals scored by Diego Maradona
Appearances and goals by national team, year and competition
Team Year Competitive Friendly Total
Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Argentina U20 1977 3 0 – 3 0
1978 – – –
1979 11 7 1 1 12 8
Total 14 7 1 1 15 8
Argentina 1977 – 3 0 3 0
1978 – 1 0 1 0
1979 2 1 6 2 8 3
1980 – 10 7 10 7
1981 2 1 – 2 1
1982 5 2 5 0 10 2
1983 – – –
1984 – – –
1985 6 3 4 3 10 6
1986 7 5 3 2 10 7
1987 4 3 2 1 6 4
1988 2 1 1 0 3 1
1989 6 0 1 0 7 0
1990 7 0 3 1 10 1
1991 – – –
1992 – – –
1993 3 0 1 0 4 0
1994 2 1 5 1 7 2
Total 46 17 45 17 91 34
Career total 60 24 46 18 106 42

Notes

  1. ^ Appearances in the 1977 South American U-20 Championship
  2. ^ 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
  3. ^ Appearances in the 1979 Copa América
  4. ^ Appearances in the 1980 Mundialito
  5. ^ Appearances in the 1982 World Cup
  6. ^ Appearances in the 1986 FIFA World Cup qualification
  7. ^ Appearances in the 1986 World Cup
  8. ^ Appearances in the 1987 Copa América
  9. ^ Appearances in the Four Nations Tournament
  10. ^ Appearances in the 1989 Copa América
  11. ^ Appearances in the 1990 World Cup
  12. ^ One appearance in the 1993 Artemio Franchi Cup, two appearances in the 1994 FIFA World Cup qualification
  13. ^ Appearances in the 1994 World Cup

Managerial statistics

Team Nat From To Record
G W D L Win %
Textil Mandiyú Argentina January 1994 June 1994 12 1 6 5 008.33
Racing Club Argentina May 1995 November 1995 11 2 6 3 018.18
Argentina Argentina November 2008 July 2010 24 18 0 6 075.00
Al-Wasl United Arab Emirates May 2011 July 2012 23 11 3 9 047.83
Fujairah United Arab Emirates April 2017 April 2018 11 7 3 1 063.64
Dorados Mexico September 2018 June 2019 38 20 9 9 052.63
Gimnasia de La Plata Argentina September 2019 November 2020 21 8 4 9 038.10
Total 140 67 31 42 047.86

Honours

Boca Juniors

Barcelona

Napoli

Argentina U20

Argentina

Individual

Maradona's Golden Foot award in "The Champions Promenade" on the seafront of the Principality of Monaco

Notes

  1. ^ El Grafico South American Footballer of the Year was an award that included over 130 journalists/tv broadcasters from South America

Works

  • Maradona, Diego Armando (2000). Yo Soy el Diego [I Am the Diego] (in Spanish). Planeta Pub. Corp. ISBN 84-08036-74-2.
  • Maradona, Diego (2016). México 86 : así ganamos la copa : mi mundial, mi verdad (in Spanish) (1st ed.). Barcelona: Debate. ISBN 978-84-9992-627-8. OCLC 953395867.

See also

References

  1. ^ "Diego Armando Maradona Franco stats". FC Barcelona. Archived from the original on 17 June 2021. Retrieved 9 September 2024.
  2. ^ "Small is beautiful". FIFA. 8 May 2009. Archived from the original on 13 August 2020. Retrieved 2 December 2020.
  3. ^ Warrington, Mark WhiteContributions from Declan; Haugstad, Thore; Yokhin, Michael; Murray, Andrew; Stafford-Bloor, Seb; Spurling, Jon; Hess, Alex; Alves, Marcus; published, Alex Reid (5 September 2023). "Ranked! The 100 best football players of all time". fourfourtwo.com. Archived from the original on 11 October 2022. Retrieved 10 November 2023.
  4. ^ Dart, James; Doyle, Paul; Hill, Jon (12 April 2006). "The greatest rags-to-riches stories ever". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 20 March 2022. Retrieved 10 October 2022.
  5. ^ "Don Diego, father of Maradona, dies in Argentine clinic". Reuters. Archived from the original on 25 November 2022. Retrieved 25 November 2022.
  6. ^ "Hugo Maradona, younger brother of Diego, dies at 52". AP News. 28 December 2021. Archived from the original on 25 November 2022. Retrieved 25 November 2022.
  7. ^ Paul Doyle (11 July 2012). "Does Diego Maradona have a more famous brother?". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 19 April 2019. Retrieved 25 November 2022.
  8. ^ "El gallego Maradona". Faro de Vigo. 26 November 2020. Archived from the original on 4 December 2021. Retrieved 29 December 2021.
  9. ^ Welch, Julie (25 November 2020). "Diego Maradona obituary". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 24 May 2022. Retrieved 26 November 2020.
  10. ^ "Sinagra: Maradona ha origini italiane? Vi racconto cosa mi diceva Diego. Messi...". AreaNapoli.it (in Italian). Archived from the original on 22 December 2022. Retrieved 22 December 2022.
  11. ^ "Los desconocidos orígenes croatas de Diego Maradona". www.ambito.com. Archived from the original on 29 December 2022. Retrieved 29 December 2022.
  12. ^ "El volcánico partido de Maradona en Croacia: visita a la tumba de Petrovic, 0 a 0 arreglado y amenaza de renunciar al Mundial - TyC Sports". www.tycsports.com (in Spanish). 13 December 2022. Archived from the original on 29 December 2022. Retrieved 29 December 2022.
  13. ^ "Diego Maradona - I was there". FIFA. Archived from the original on 15 October 2007. Retrieved 3 December 2020.
  14. ^ "Diego Maradona". Biography. Archived from the original on 15 November 2020. Retrieved 26 November 2020.
  15. ^ "Lost soccer talents: 6 players who sparked too early". 90soccer.com. 23 June 2022. Archived from the original on 30 August 2023. Retrieved 7 December 2022.
  16. ^ "The story of Francis Cornejo". eldestapeweb.com (in Spanish). 28 October 2021. Archived from the original on 7 December 2022. Retrieved 7 December 2022.
  17. ^ "The Hand of God". Archived from the original on 17 February 2006.
  18. ^ "Argentinos Juniors: The 'Argentinean Ajax'". BBC. 2 May 2019. Archived from the original on 14 May 2019. Retrieved 7 December 2022.
  19. ^ "Maradona hails 'inspirational' Best". RTÉ Sport. 26 November 2005. Archived from the original on 10 April 2022. Retrieved 10 October 2022.
  20. ^ "Football's Greatest – Rivelino". Pitch International LLP. 2012. Retrieved 8 May 2014
  21. ^ "A Summary of Maradona's Life". vivadiego.com. Archived from the original on 11 December 2013.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  22. ^ "Maradona. Así empezó todo". El Gráfico (in Spanish). 20 October 2021. Archived from the original on 29 November 2020. Retrieved 12 October 2022.
  23. ^ "Diego, el de Argentinos". Clarín (in Spanish). 10 April 2013. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016.
  24. ^ "Murió Juan Domingo "el Chacho" Cabrera". lavoz.com.ar (in Spanish). 4 September 2007. Archived from the original on 30 July 2020. Retrieved 22 June 2019.
  25. ^ "Los primeros gritos de D10S". laseleccion.com.ar (in Spanish). 14 November 2012. Archived from the original on 8 October 2015. on La Selección website.
  26. ^ Arcucchi, Daniel (22 February 2011). "Aquella jugada que llevó a Maradona a Boca" (in Spanish). Archived from the original on 30 September 2015.
  27. ^ Diego Maradona (1 May 2004). Yo Soy El Diego, autobiography of Diego Armando Maradona. Booket. ISBN 9871144628.
  28. ^ "Un mes sin el 10. Maradona era de Independiente, quiso jugar en River, terminó enojado con Boca, fue DT de Racing y admiraba a San Lorenzo". La Nación (in Spanish). Retrieved 31 January 2022. Ahora lo más firme parece ser lo de Boca. Lo de River quedó un poquito muerto por el ofrecimiento que hizo Aragón Cabrera de ganar lo mismo que Fillol y Passarella, que son los que más ganan. Yo le dije que no tenía problema, Dios quiera que ellos ganen 5 millones de dólares de contrato. Yo no tengo problemas, pero en caso de que me den lo que yo les pido. Y me dijo que no, porque se le iba a hacer muy embromado todo para poder pagarles a todos... Las tratativas las hace Jorge, pero me entero de todo.
  29. ^ "25 años de romance". Clarín (in Spanish). 22 February 2006. Archived from the original on 4 September 2010. Retrieved 12 October 2022.
  30. ^ "Maradona por Maradona". Clarín (in Spanish). 24 September 2000. Archived from the original on 25 November 2020. Retrieved 25 November 2020.
  31. ^ Gorgazzi, Osvaldo José. "Argentina 1981 - Campeonato Metropolitano". RSSSF. Archived from the original on 5 December 2022. Retrieved 2 February 2023.
  32. ^ "The Albiceleste underdog who conquered the world". FIFA. Archived from the original on 22 May 2014.
  33. ^ Burns, Jimmy (31 July 2009). Barca: A People's Passion. Bloomsbury Publishing. p. 251.
  34. ^ "Life and crimes of Diego Armando Maradona" Archived 28 November 2020 at the Wayback Machine. The Telegraph. Retrieved 15 October 2015
  35. ^ "Real Madrid 0 Barcelona 3: Bernabeu forced to pay homage as Ronaldinho soars above the galacticos" Archived 9 January 2018 at the Wayback Machine. The Independent. Retrieved 29 November 2013
  36. ^ "30 years since Maradona stunned the Santiago Bernabéu". FC Barcelona. 25 June 1013. Archived from the original on 25 June 2018. Retrieved 12 October 2022.
  37. ^ Kwesi O'Mard, Marcus (21 November 2015). "Real Madrid Fans Applaud Barcelona's Andres Iniesta In 'El Clasico'". NESN. Archived from the original on 2 January 2021. Retrieved 28 January 2016.
  38. ^ "That's one hell of a diet, Diego". The Observer. 8 January 2006. Archived from the original on 13 April 2013. Retrieved 12 October 2022.
  39. ^ "Diego Maradona dies: Guillem Balague on 'the magician, the cheat, the god, the flawed genius'". BBC Sport. BBC. Archived from the original on 29 November 2020. Retrieved 26 November 2020.
  40. ^ Murray, Scott (5 December 2008). "Diego Maradona gives hot, hot heat to The Butcher of Bilbao". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 28 November 2020. Retrieved 12 October 2022.
  41. ^ Luca Caioli (2013). "Messi: The Inside Story of the Boy Who Became a Legend"
  42. ^ Jimmy Burns. (2011). "Maradona: The Hand of God". pp.121–122. A&C Black
  43. ^ "Backgrounder: Diego Maradona". CBC Sports. Archived from the original on 28 June 2010.
  44. ^ "Snapshot: Maradona is toast of the town after signing for Napoli". The Times. 20 February 2012. Archived from the original on 10 September 2014. Retrieved 12 October 2022.
  45. ^ "Cristiano Ronaldo welcomed by 80,000 fans at Real Madrid unveiling". The Guardian. London. 6 July 2009. Archived from the original on 16 December 2013. Retrieved 12 October 2022.
  46. ^ Carter, Jon (9 March 2012). "Maradona brings success to Napoli". ESPN. Archived from the original on 10 October 2020. Retrieved 12 October 2022.
  47. ^ Clemente A. Lisi (28 March 2011). A History of the World Cup: 1930–2010. Scarecrow Press. p. 193.
  48. ^ Sellitti, Nicola (9 February 2016). "Bruscolotti, una vita in azzurro: "Napoli, ricorda quella partita dell'86"". la Repubblica (in Italian). Archived from the original on 2 August 2020. Retrieved 7 April 2016.
  49. ^ Richardson, James (3 April 2007). "Serie A's comeback kid eyes another miracle". Guardian Unlimited. Archived from the original on 10 February 2008. Retrieved 23 March 2016.
  50. ^ "Napoli–Stuttgart". UEFA. Archived from the original on 28 November 2020. Retrieved 29 June 2020.
  51. ^ Sica, Jvan (18 April 2019). "Quando il Napoli vinse la Coppa UEFA" (in Italian). L'Ultimo Uomo. Archived from the original on 28 November 2020. Retrieved 29 June 2020.
  52. ^ "1988/89: Maradona leads the way for Napoli". UEFA.com. 1 June 1989. Archived from the original on 24 June 2010. Retrieved 29 June 2020.
  53. ^ Mocciaro, Gaetano (17 May 2016). "17 maggio 1989, Napoli trionfa in Europa: a Stoccarda arriva la Coppa Uefa" (in Italian). Tutto Mercato Web. Archived from the original on 28 November 2020. Retrieved 29 June 2020.
  54. ^ De Calò, Alessandro (2011). Il calcio di Maradona ai raggi X (in Italian). La Gazzetta dello Sport. pp. 94–95.
  55. ^ Shepherd, Robert (16 February 2014). "Diego Maradona Has Appealed to European Union". Guardian Liberty Voice. Archived from the original on 3 August 2020. Retrieved 12 October 2022.
  56. ^ "Marek Hamsik breaks Diego Maradona's Napoli scoring record". ESPN FC. 23 December 2017. Archived from the original on 28 July 2018. Retrieved 23 December 2017.
  57. ^ "Franco Baresi: One-on-One". Four Four Two. 1 November 2009. Archived from the original on 21 October 2020. Retrieved 19 January 2015.
  58. ^ Landolina, Salvatore (4 October 2008). "Maradona and Ronaldo Best Ever". Goal.com. Archived from the original on 23 September 2015. Retrieved 7 February 2015.
  59. ^ "Sports People; Maradona Fined". The New York Times. 13 January 1991. Archived from the original on 7 December 2008. Retrieved 1 April 2010.
  60. ^ May, John (19 April 2004). "Maradona's fall from grace". BBC News. Archived from the original on 4 April 2010. Retrieved 1 April 2010.
  61. ^ Greengrass, Paul; Follett, Toby (5 July 1994). "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". The Independent. London. Archived from the original on 15 November 2020. Retrieved 1 April 2010.
  62. ^ "Camorra, arrestato il boss amico di Maradona". Corriere della Sera (in Italian). 24 December 2009. Archived from the original on 25 January 2016. Retrieved 12 June 2010.
  63. ^ Telander, Rick (14 January 2002). "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?". CNN. Archived from the original on 3 November 2012. Retrieved 1 September 2009.
  64. ^ Landolina, Salvatore (14 January 2011). "Diego Maradona Backs Ezequiel Lavezzi To Earn Napoli Number 10 Shirt". Goal. Archived from the original on 8 June 2014. Retrieved 31 March 2013.
  65. ^ Grez, Matias (11 December 2020). "Napoli plays first match at the newly renamed Stadio Diego Armando Maradona". CNN. Archived from the original on 16 December 2020. Retrieved 16 December 2020.
  66. ^ "Sport in Short: Football – Sport". The Independent. UK. 15 July 1992. Archived from the original on 25 September 2020. Retrieved 6 May 2011.
  67. ^ "Maradona 'a main contender to replace Villas-Boas at Tottenham'". Yahoo. 13 December 2013. Archived from the original on 14 July 2014.
  68. ^ Strong, Gregory (25 November 2020). "Magical Day: A memorable Canadian one-off with the mighty Maradona". thestar.com. Toronto Star. Archived from the original on 4 December 2020. Retrieved 26 November 2020.
  69. ^ "Diego Maradona führt FC Bayern bei Matthäus-Abschied als Kapitän an". SPORT1 (in German). 27 November 2020. Archived from the original on 9 July 2022. Retrieved 9 July 2022.
  70. ^ Rookwood, Dan (10 November 2001). "Maradona finishes on a personal high". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 29 July 2020. Retrieved 29 July 2018.
  71. ^ "On this day. The legendary Diego Maradona played his first match for the Argentina national team". dailysports.net. 27 February 2024. Retrieved 24 October 2024.
  72. ^ Diego Maradona at the Encyclopædia Britannica
  73. ^ "Cosmos Lament The Death of Maradona". www.nycosmos.com. 26 November 2020. Retrieved 24 October 2024.
  74. ^ "FIFA World Youth Tournament 1979 Technical Study Report" (PDF). FIFA. pp. 97–109. Archived from the original (PDF) on 12 July 2014. Retrieved 23 October 2020.
  75. ^ MacPherson, Graeme (30 October 2008). "Maradona to receive Hampden welcome". The Herald. Archived from the original on 7 December 2008.
  76. ^ Pierrend, José Luis (30 July 2001). "Diego Armando Maradona – International Appearances". Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation. Archived from the original on 2 November 2001. Retrieved 25 June 2018.
  77. ^ "Maradona, as others see him". FIFA. 30 October 2010. Archived from the original on 29 November 2020.
  78. ^ Pierrend, José Luis. "FIFA Under-20 World Championships Awards". RSSSF. Archived from the original on 12 January 2016.
  79. ^ "World Cup final: Lionel Messi named best player as Kylian Mbappe wins Golden Boot". BBC Sport. 18 December 2022. Archived from the original on 3 January 2023. Retrieved 4 January 2023.
  80. ^ "1982 – Story of Spain '82". Planet World Cup. Archived from the original on 4 April 2012. Retrieved 12 October 2012.
  81. ^ Elkin, David (29 May 2014). "Claudio Gentile and the story of Diego Maradona's first World Cup". backpagefootball.com. Archived from the original on 13 October 2022. Retrieved 13 October 2022.
  82. ^ Darby, James (10 June 2010). "Castrol World Cup Legends: Diego Maradona - 1986". Goal. Archived from the original on 9 April 2022. Retrieved 12 October 2022.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
  83. ^ Brewin, John; Williamson, Martin (10 November 2009). "World Cup 1986". ESPN. Archived from the original on 26 January 2014.
  84. ^ "1986 FIFA World Cup Mexico: Italy – Argentina". FIFA. Archived from the original on 16 December 2012.
  85. ^ Burke, Chris (22 June 2016). "30 years on: Maradona's 'hand of God'". UEFA. Archived from the original on 30 August 2023. Retrieved 12 October 2022.
  86. ^ "The reason we English dislike Maradona so much is because we've never got over the Falklands War". The Independent. 27 June 2018. Archived from the original on 26 November 2020. Retrieved 13 April 2020.
  87. ^ McCarthy, David (18 November 2008).McCarthy, David (18 November 2008). "Terry Butcher: Maradona robbed England of World Cup glory". Daily Record. Archived from the original on 27 May 2010. Retrieved 12 October 2012.
  88. ^ Motson, John. Motson's World Cup Extravaganza. Robson Books. p. 103.
  89. ^ Alexander, Harriet (2 December 2009). "Top 10 World Cup goals". The Telegraph. Archived from the original on 11 August 2020. Retrieved 12 October 2022.
  90. ^ "Diego Maradona goal voted the FIFA World Cup Goal of the Century". FIFA. 30 May 2002. Archived from the original on 23 May 2012.
  91. ^ "100 Greatest Sporting Moments – Results". London: Channel 4. 2002. Archived from the original on 4 February 2002. Retrieved 8 August 2019.
  92. ^ "Diego Maradona: Argentina legend's 'Hand of God' shirt sells for £7.1m at auction". BBC. 4 May 2022. Archived from the original on 5 May 2022. Retrieved 5 May 2022.
  93. ^ Gammon, Clive (7 July 1986). "Tango Argentino! Superstar Diego Maradona fast-stepped Argentina to the World Cup championship over West Germany in Mexico City". Sports Illustrated. Archived from the original on 14 May 2014.
  94. ^ "Spain's 2010 conquerors in numbers". FIFA.com. 22 August 2017. Archived from the original on 7 June 2018. Retrieved 18 May 2020.
  95. ^ "Argentina's Road to the World Title" (PDF). fifa.com. FIFA. p. 228. Archived from the original (PDF) on 14 June 2010. Retrieved 26 November 2020.
  96. ^ "Adidas Golden Ball Previous Winners". FIFA. Archived from the original on 17 May 2012.
  97. ^ "Pelé and Maradona – two very different number tens". FIFA. 25 January 2001. Archived from the original on 17 July 2014.
  98. ^ "Maradona was on another level – Zidane". Goal. Archived from the original on 6 December 2020. Retrieved 20 August 2018.
  99. ^ "Messi's Goal Better Than Maradona's Goal of the Century". worldrec.info. Archived from the original on 9 June 2010.
  100. ^ "From spectacular to scandalous: Maradona's World Cup legacy" Archived 30 November 2020 at the Wayback Machine. ESPN. Retrieved 14 May 2014
  101. ^ Baxter, Kevin (4 July 2014). "Argentina's Lionel Messi still has one man to beat". The Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on 30 July 2020. Retrieved 17 April 2020.
  102. ^ Goff, Steven (4 July 2014). "It's Argentina vs. Belgium in the World Cup, but always Lionel Messi vs. Diego Maradona". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on 12 November 2014. Retrieved 17 April 2020.
  103. ^ Thomas, Russell (6 June 2002). "England's past four World Cup clashes with Argentina". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 29 July 2020. Retrieved 17 April 2020.
  104. ^ Molinaro, John F. (21 November 2009). "1986 World Cup: The Diego Maradona Show". CBC Sports. Archived from the original on 9 October 2017. Retrieved 17 April 2020.
  105. ^ Molinaro, John (9 June 2018). "History of the World Cup: 1986 – Maradona puts on a show in Mexico". Sportsnet. Archived from the original on 29 November 2020. Retrieved 17 April 2020.
  106. ^ Brewin, John; Williamson, Martin (10 November 2009). "World Cup 1990". ESPN. Archived from the original on 3 February 2014.
  107. ^ Artemio Franchi Cup details at AFA website
  108. ^ Verhovek, Sam Howe (July 1994). "After Second Test, Maradona Is Out of World Cup". The New York Times. Archived from the original on 29 November 2020. Retrieved 2 February 2017.
  109. ^ Jensen, Mike (22 July 1994). "From our archives: Diego Maradona scored his last World Cup goal in the United States". The Philadelphia Inquirer. Archived from the original on 13 October 2022. Retrieved 13 October 2022.
  110. ^ Hewitt, Steve (6 December 2020). "'Completely electric': How Diego Maradona's legendary Argentina career came to dramatic end at Foxboro Stadium". Boston Herald. Archived from the original on 11 October 2022. Retrieved 11 October 2022.
  111. ^ Sutherland, Ben (26 November 2020). "Diego Maradona: how his genius shone in his last Argentina game". BBC. Archived from the original on 30 November 2022. Retrieved 11 October 2022.
  112. ^ Heydari, Keyvan Antonio (24 August 1994). "FIFA to Decide Maradona's Status". The Washington Post. Retrieved 11 October 2022.
  113. ^ McCracken, Craig (26 June 2018). "The best ever World Cup match? Romania 3-2 Argentina at USA 94". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 11 October 2022. Retrieved 11 October 2022.
  114. ^ Hylands, Alan. "Diego Maradona - Career History". about.com. Archived from the original on 30 March 2009.
  115. ^ "Argentina's tribute to Maradona". BBC. 9 November 2001. Archived from the original on 26 November 2020. Retrieved 11 October 2022.
  116. ^ "What Maradona and Pele didn't win". The Athletic. 24 June 2024. Retrieved 15 July 2024.
  117. ^ "FIFA World Stars Games at a glance" (PDF). FIFA. Archived (PDF) from the original on 8 September 2021. Retrieved 11 October 2022.
  118. ^ Leme de Arruda, Marcelo (2001). "FIFA XI´s Matches - Full Info". RSSSF. Archived from the original on 17 November 2015. Retrieved 11 October 2022.
  119. ^ Crist, Matthew (8 May 2017). "100 years bore: the arduous and elongated Football League centenary celebrations in 1988". These Football Times. Archived from the original on 25 October 2017. Retrieved 3 December 2020.
  120. ^ "When the Football League took on the world..." England Memories. 7 August 2015. Archived from the original on 5 November 2019.
  121. ^ Ballestero, Frank (23 November 2001). "Diego Armando Maradona's farewell match". RSSSF. Archived from the original on 4 October 2022. Retrieved 11 October 2022.
  122. ^ Siregar, Cady (11 June 2019). "What is a false nine? Messi, Hazard & how the attacking role works". Goal.com. Archived from the original on 18 August 2020. Retrieved 12 April 2020.
  123. ^ Wilson, Jonathan (27 May 2010). "Diego Maradona dominated 1986 World Cup after position switch". Sports Illustrated. Archived from the original on 30 May 2010.
  124. ^ Adlakha, Manisha (25 June 2010). "Diego Maradona: 'The Soccer Guru'". The Viewspaper. Archived from the original on 2 December 2013.
  125. ^ Coggin, Stewart. "Diego Maradona – Profile of Soccer Player Diego Maradona". worldsoccer.about.com. Archived from the original on 3 December 2013.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  126. ^ Wilson, Jonathan (27 May 2010). "Maradona the coach can learn from experience of Maradona the player". Sports Illustrated. Archived from the original on 29 July 2020. Retrieved 12 April 2020.
  127. ^ Wilson, Jonathan (19 November 2008). "The Question: is 3–5–2 dead?". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 18 November 2017. Retrieved 12 April 2020.
  128. ^ Doyle, John (29 June 2018). "Lionel Messi plays for Argentina but he is not a traditional Argentine player". The Globe and Mail. Archived from the original on 29 July 2020. Retrieved 12 April 2020.
  129. ^ Barra, Allen (12 July 2014). "Germany, Argentina, and What Really Makes a World Cup Team". The Atlantic. Archived from the original on 28 June 2020. Retrieved 12 April 2020.
  130. ^ "La nuova vita del Pibe de Oro Maradona ct dell'Argentina". la Repubblica. Archived from the original on 2 August 2020. Retrieved 3 February 2015.
  131. ^ Houghton, David Patrick (2008). Political Psychology: Situations, Individuals, and Cases. Routledge. p. 43.
  132. ^ Ratcliffe, Susan (2001). People on People: The Oxford Dictionary of Biographical Quotations. Oxford University Press. p. 234.
  133. ^ Gullit, Ruud (14 May 2010). "Perfect 10s". ESPN FC. Archived from the original on 28 July 2020. Retrieved 8 April 2020.
  134. ^ Khazan, Olga (12 June 2014). "Why Being Short Can Help in Soccer". The Atlantic. Archived from the original on 29 July 2020. Retrieved 14 April 2020.
  135. ^ "Maradona? Really?". Montreal Gazette. 29 October 2008. Archived from the original on 11 April 2020. Retrieved 11 April 2020.
  136. ^ Burns, Jimmy (9 July 2014). "World Cup Legends #1: Diego Maradona". Esquire. Archived from the original on 29 July 2020. Retrieved 11 April 2020.
  137. ^ Yannis, Alex (23 June 1994). "WORLD CUP '94; Maradona Lets Feet Talk for Him". The New York Times. Archived from the original on 11 April 2020. Retrieved 11 April 2020.
  138. ^ Gorney, Cynthia (9 August 1981). "!Maradona!". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on 11 April 2020. Retrieved 11 April 2020.
  139. ^ McLeman, Neil (21 March 2012). "Messi's a world treasure says Johan Cruyff". The Mirror. Archived from the original on 26 April 2012.
  140. ^ Jiang, Allan (25 January 2012). "50 Greatest Dribblers in World Football History". Bleacher Report. Archived from the original on 23 December 2017. Retrieved 22 December 2017.
  141. ^ Murray, Scott (15 October 2010). "The Joy of Six: Great dribbles". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 24 September 2016. Retrieved 14 February 2017.
  142. ^ "We Missed the Premier League, Too: The Legendary Career of Thierry Henry". NBC4 Washington. 24 June 2020. Archived from the original on 29 June 2020. Retrieved 29 June 2020.
  143. ^ Maradona's World Cup magic Archived 23 March 2012 at the Wayback Machine. BBC Sport (19 April 2004). Retrieved 18 August 2006.
  144. ^ "Recall the best not the worst of Maradona, says David Lacey". The Guardian. 19 April 2004. Archived from the original on 29 June 2020. Retrieved 29 June 2020.
  145. ^ Doyle, Mark (27 March 2020). "Mythbuster: 'Messi is not Maradona' – Did Diego win the World Cup on his own?". Goal.com. Archived from the original on 29 June 2020. Retrieved 29 June 2020.
  146. ^ Lowenstein, Stephen (2009). My First Movie, Take Two: Ten Celebrated Directors Talk About Their First Film. Knopf Doubleday Publishing Group. p. xi. ISBN 978-1-4000-7990-2. Archived from the original on 30 October 2023. Retrieved 29 June 2020.
  147. ^ Ronay, Barney (29 May 2014). "World Cup's top 100 footballers: how to choose between Pelé and Maradona?". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 8 October 2022. Retrieved 10 October 2022.
  148. ^ John H Kerr (2004). Kerr, John H (2004). Motivation And Emotion in Sport. Taylor & Francis. p. 2.
  149. ^ Zavala, Steve (17 August 2017). "Top 20 Soccer Players of All-Time". Medium. Archived from the original on 11 April 2020. Retrieved 11 April 2020.
  150. ^ "Sacchi: "Maradona il più grande Il Milan voleva prenderlo"". Corriere dello Sport – Stadio (in Italian). 30 October 2010. Archived from the original on 26 October 2013. Retrieved 12 April 2020.
  151. ^ Mora y Araujo, Marcela (18 November 2008). "Does Diego still have the touch of a leader?". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 4 July 2022. Retrieved 10 October 2022.
  152. ^ "Messi lacks Maradona's charisma, claims Batistuta". Four Four Two. 23 March 2018. Archived from the original on 15 August 2018. Retrieved 15 August 2018.
  153. ^ Genta, Carlo (30 October 2008). "Maradona, il ct dei sogni che può vincere il Mondiale". Il Sole 24 Ore (in Italian). Archived from the original on 29 July 2020. Retrieved 13 April 2020.
  154. ^ "Enraptured by 'rabonas'". FIFA.com. 24 October 2014. Archived from the original on 8 April 2016. Retrieved 9 April 2016.
  155. ^ Hackett, Robin (17 January 2013). "The art of rabona". ESPN FC. Archived from the original on 31 January 2016. Retrieved 9 April 2016.
  156. ^ Doyle, Paul (8 March 2006). "Sprechen sie Fußball?". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 21 April 2021. Retrieved 21 April 2021.
  157. ^ Ferris, Ken (19 June 2010). "Free kick expert Maradona leads by example". Reuters. Archived from the original on 7 March 2016.
  158. ^ "Tension from 12 yards". FIFA.com. 31 July 2009. Archived from the original on 8 April 2016. Retrieved 9 April 2016.
  159. ^ Hersh, Phil (25 June 1986). "Soccer Celebrates its 'San' Diego". Chicago Tribune. Archived from the original on 25 February 2021. Retrieved 8 April 2020.
  160. ^ "Kings of the free-kick". FIFA. 2 December 2011. Archived from the original on 12 May 2015.. FIFA.com. Retrieved 20 May 2014
  161. ^ Matchett, Karl (6 February 2017). "Where Does Lionel Messi Rank Among the Greatest Free-Kick Takers of All Time?". bleacherreport.com. Archived from the original on 30 April 2019. Retrieved 30 April 2019.
  162. ^ Giancarlo, Galavotti (26 January 1999). "Zola applaude Mihajlovic: "E' il piu' completo"" [Zola applauds Mihajlovic: "He is the most complete"]. La Gazzetta dello Sport (in Italian). Archived from the original on 30 July 2020. Retrieved 8 April 2020.
  163. ^ Lara, Lorenzo; Mogollo, Álvaro; Wilson, Emily (20 September 2018). "Messi and the other best freekick takers in football history". Marca. Archived from the original on 10 June 2020. Retrieved 8 April 2020.
  164. ^ "Del Piero? Tira alla Platini". Corriere della Sera (in Italian). 24 October 1995. p. 44. Archived from the original on 6 November 2015.
  165. ^ Cetta, Luca (19 March 2014). "Free-kick master Pirlo". Football Italia. Archived from the original on 26 June 2020. Retrieved 8 April 2020.
  166. ^ Sanderson, Tom (10 November 2019). "Dead Ball Genius: How Messi Learned From Maradona, Ronaldinho And Deco To Become The Game's Greatest Free-Kick Taker". Forbes. Archived from the original on 30 July 2020. Retrieved 8 April 2020.
  167. ^ Booth, Robert; Jones, Sam (30 October 2008). "El maestro Maradona: football legend to be Argentina manager". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 4 July 2022. Retrieved 10 October 2022.
  168. ^ Geoff Tibballs (2003). "Great Sporting Scandals". p. 227. Robson, 2003
  169. ^ "Maradona scores $1800-a-seat ticket sales, proving the bad boys of sport are hard to match" Archived 5 July 2014 at the Wayback Machine. Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 19 May 2014
  170. ^ "13 June 1990: Diego Maradona's other World Cup handball"". The Guardian. 13 June 2009. Archived from the original on 24 November 2022. Retrieved 10 October 2022.
  171. ^ Burns, Jimmy (9 July 2014). "World Cup Legends #1: Diego Maradona". Esquire. Archived from the original on 3 February 2015.
  172. ^ Burns, Jimmy (15 November 2008). "Argentina coach Diego Maradona writes another chapter in a turbulent life". The Telegraph. Archived from the original on 5 July 2022. Retrieved 10 October 2022.
  173. ^ Taylor, Chris (9 November 2005). "A Big Hand". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 17 September 2022. Retrieved 10 October 2022.
  174. ^ Burns, Jimmy (18 February 2021). Maradona: The Hand of God. A & C Black. p. 17.
  175. ^ Azzi, Marco (13 November 2006). "Rabona, ' o tocco magico di Diego" [Rabona, Diego's magic touch]. la Repubblica (in Italian). Archived from the original on 24 April 2016. Retrieved 9 April 2016.
  176. ^ Glanville, Brian (1 April 2010). The Story of the World Cup: The Essential Companion to South Africa 2010. Faber and Faber. p. 320.
  177. ^ Murray, Andrew (26 September 2017). "FourFourTwo's 100 Greatest Footballers EVER: No.1, Diego Maradona". FourFourTwo. Archived from the original on 29 September 2017. Retrieved 29 September 2017.
  178. ^ "Maradona or Pele?". CNN/SI. 10 December 2000. Archived from the original on 18 February 2014.
  179. ^ "Pele or Maradona, who is the greatest?". BBC Sport. 22 October 2010. Archived from the original on 22 April 2020. Retrieved 5 June 2020.
  180. ^ Brewin, Joe (25 February 2020). "10 of Diego Maradona's best moments: the greatest player of all time?". FourFourTwo. Archived from the original on 5 June 2020. Retrieved 5 June 2020.
  181. ^ Vinay, Adarsh (16 January 2008). "Pelé or Diego Maradona: Who is the Greatest Soccer Player of All Time?". Bleacher Report. Archived from the original on 5 June 2020. Retrieved 5 June 2020.
  182. ^ Kane, Desmond (23 March 2016). "The top five players of all time – where does Johan Cruyff rank on our list of greats?". Eurosport. Archived from the original on 30 October 2023. Retrieved 5 June 2020.
  183. ^ "That's one hell of a diet, Diego". The Guardian. 8 January 2006. Archived from the original on 13 April 2013. Retrieved 13 April 2020.
  184. ^ Marino, Giovanni (8 May 2018). "I mille colori di Maradona in bianco e nero". La Repubblica (in Italian). Archived from the original on 29 July 2020. Retrieved 13 April 2020.
  185. ^ "Napoli, Carnevale racconta: "Maradona una volta si presentò un'ora prima di giocare"" (in Italian). sport.sky.it. 12 February 2018. Archived from the original on 29 July 2020. Retrieved 13 April 2020.
  186. ^ Corbetta, Vincenzo (4 October 2018). "Bianchi, passione e rigore di un vincente". Brescia Oggi (in Italian). Archived from the original on 29 July 2020. Retrieved 14 April 2020.
  187. ^ "Bianchi: "Messi? Gioca in un Barcellona perfetto, mentre Diego..."". Tutto Napoli (in Italian). 9 March 2012. Archived from the original on 29 July 2020. Retrieved 14 April 2020.
  188. ^ Vecsey, George (27 May 1990). "Soccer's Little Big Man". The New York Times. Archived from the original on 1 September 2020. Retrieved 13 April 2020.
  189. ^ Landolina, Salvatore (10 June 2011). "Diego Maradona made excuses to dodge Napoli training – Luciano Moggi". Goal.com. Archived from the original on 18 August 2020. Retrieved 13 April 2020.
  190. ^ Moore, Nick (30 June 2007). "Marcel Desailly: Perfect XI". FourFourTwo. Archived from the original on 29 July 2020. Retrieved 13 April 2020.
  191. ^ Hill, Steve (10 April 2020). "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". FourFourTwo. Archived from the original on 12 April 2020. Retrieved 13 April 2020.
  192. ^ Tyers, Alan (22 March 2020). "Maradona, the magic, the madness: takeaways from Diego Maradona film on Channel 4". The Telegraph. Archived from the original on 10 January 2022. Retrieved 14 April 2020.
  193. ^ Alarcón, Daniel (13 October 2019). "The Tragedy of Diego Maradona, One of Soccer's Greatest Stars". The New Yorker. Archived from the original on 22 October 2019. Retrieved 13 April 2020.
  194. ^ Gore, Will (27 June 2018). "The reason we English dislike Maradona so much is because we've never got over the Falklands War". The Independent. Archived from the original on 26 November 2020. Retrieved 13 April 2020.
  195. ^ "Germany hammers Argentina 4–0 to reach World Cup semis". CTV News. 3 July 2010. Archived from the original on 29 July 2020. Retrieved 13 April 2020.
  196. ^ Pellizzari, Tommaso (29 November 2019). "Diego Maradona, fenomenologia del campione delle contraddizioni". Corriere della Sera (in Italian). Archived from the original on 4 March 2021. Retrieved 13 April 2020.
  197. ^ Agnew, Paddy (18 January 2005). "Evergreen Maldini still the soul of the Rossoneri". The Irish Times. Archived from the original on 4 December 2020. Retrieved 13 April 2020.
  198. ^ "Ho pianto per Radice. Maradona il più forte di sempre, ma a Van Basten è stato ancora più difficile prendere la palla". Il Corriere dello Sport (in Italian). 22 November 2018. Archived from the original on 4 November 2019. Retrieved 4 November 2019.
  199. ^ Westwood, James (28 November 2020). "Ibrahimovic: Maradona's off-field antics don't matter". Goal. Archived from the original on 10 August 2022. Retrieved 12 October 2022.
  200. ^ "World Soccer Players of the Century". World Soccer. Archived from the original on 4 April 2021. Retrieved 29 August 2014.
  201. ^ "FIFA Player of the Century" (PDF). touri.com. 11 December 2000. Archived from the original (PDF) on 26 April 2012. Retrieved 26 November 2020.
  202. ^ Stokkermans, Karel. "IFFHS' Century Elections". RSSSF. Archived from the original on 3 March 2009. Retrieved 13 October 2022.
  203. ^ "Pelè è più forte di Maradona, Zidane 3°, Baggio 9°: i migliori 10 secondo la Fifa" [Pelè better than Maradona, Zidane 3rd, Baggio 9th: the best 10s according to FIFA]. La Gazzetta dello Sport (in Italian). 2 March 2014. Archived from the original on 9 August 2015. Retrieved 24 September 2014.
  204. ^ George Arnett; Ami Sedghi (29 May 2014). "The World Cup's top 100 footballers: by nationality, goals scored and votes". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 20 December 2016. Retrieved 3 December 2016.
  205. ^ Katwala, Amit (29 May 2018). "Ranked! The 25 best World Cup players EVER". FourFourTwo. Archived from the original on 18 June 2018.
  206. ^ Gallagher, Jack (27 March 2020). "Diego Maradona: The Extremes of Footballing Morality & the Greatest of All Time". www.90min.com. Archived from the original on 5 June 2020. Retrieved 5 June 2020.
  207. ^ Solhekol, Kaveh; Sheth, Dharmesh (30 May 2020). "Ronaldo, Eric Cantona, Zlatan Ibrahimovic: The best players never to win Champions League 25–1". Sky Sports. Archived from the original on 28 July 2020. Retrieved 1 June 2020.
  208. ^ "Maradona sentenced for shooting reporters". BBC. 13 June 1998. Archived from the original on 28 September 2021. Retrieved 10 October 2022.
  209. ^ "Reporters Accuse Maradona of Firing an Air Gun at Them". LA Times. 3 February 1994. Archived from the original on 10 October 2022. Retrieved 10 October 2022.
  210. ^ "Interview with Jorge Valdano" (in Spanish). El Mundo. Archived from the original on 27 September 2007. Retrieved 21 June 2005.
  211. ^ "70 facts about Argentina legend Diego Maradona". Goal. 28 May 2020. Archived from the original on 12 October 2022. Retrieved 12 October 2022.
  212. ^ "ICON: When Diego Maradona fought an exhibition boxing match for charity back in 1996 and jokingly attacked the referee". talksport.com. 25 November 2020. Archived from the original on 25 November 2020. Retrieved 25 November 2020.
  213. ^ Maradona 'tells all' in autobiography. Associated Press. 20 December 2000.
  214. ^ Garcia, Anne-Marie (21 February 2002). "Maradona donates royalties from Cuban edition of his book". Granma. Archived from the original on 13 October 2006.
  215. ^ "Maradona or Pele?". CNN/SI. 10 December 2000. Archived from the original on 18 February 2014.
  216. ^ "Argentina can't retire Maradona's shirt". ESPN Inc. 26 May 2002. Archived from the original on 25 March 2003.
  217. ^ Hamilton, Fiona (22 March 2010). "The ten greatest World Cup playersbr No 1 Diego Maradona Argentina". The Times. London. Archived from the original on 30 October 2023. Retrieved 1 April 2010.
  218. ^ 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
  219. ^ Bhaumik, Subir (8 December 2008). "Maradona sends Calcutta into frenzy". BBC. Archived from the original on 17 February 2022. Retrieved 10 October 2022.
  220. ^ "El Diez emprende dos nuevos desafíos" (in Spanish). ESPN Deportes. 28 July 2005. Archived from the original on 4 June 2011. Retrieved 10 October 2022.
  221. ^ "Maradona joins Boca Juniors". ABC News. 23 June 2005. Archived from the original on 13 October 2022. Retrieved 13 October 2022.
  222. ^ Moore, Glenn (2 September 2006). "Basile's team ready for Brazil in first of many friendlies". The Independent. Archived from the original on 13 October 2022. Retrieved 13 October 2022.
  223. ^ "Boca pull off world record victory". CNN. Archived from the original on 22 April 2023. Retrieved 23 April 2023.
  224. ^ Goni, Uki (17 August 2005). "Maradona reinvents himself as chatshow host". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 13 October 2022. Retrieved 13 October 2022.
  225. ^ "Roberto Durán estuvo con Diego Maradona" (in Spanish). La Prensa. 21 September 2005. Archived from the original on 3 September 2014.
  226. ^ "Tyson Must Return to Brazil for Trial". Washington Post. 11 November 2005. Archived from the original on 5 March 2016. Retrieved 10 October 2022.
  227. ^ "Maradona Rejects Role With Argentina Team". The New York Times. Reuters. 10 November 2005. Archived from the original on 4 July 2022. Retrieved 10 October 2022.
  228. ^ "Maradona scores but England win UNICEF match". 28 May 2006. Archived from the original on 18 March 2007.
  229. ^ "Remembering Diego Maradona's time at Boca Juniors". Overlyzer. Archived from the original on 5 July 2022. Retrieved 28 March 2022.
  230. ^ Aftab, Kaleem (21 May 2008). "Maradona by Kusturica". The Independent. Archived from the original on 9 July 2022. Retrieved 10 October 2022.
  231. ^ "Interreligious Match for Peace: 1/9/2014". Archived from the original on 3 September 2014. Retrieved 1 September 2014.
  232. ^ "Il Papa a Maradona: "Ti aspettavo". Diego show con Baggio, poi si infuria: "Icardi non-doveva giocare"". La Gazzetta dello Sport. Archived from the original on 3 September 2014. Retrieved 1 September 2014.
  233. ^ "29 Years on from the Infamous Argentina-England Match, Maradona holds up his hands in apology", MARCA, 17 August 2015, archived from the original on 1 December 2020, retrieved 10 October 2022
  234. ^ Rebossio, Alejandro (18 August 2015), "Maradona visits Tunisian referee who awarded him 1986 "Hand of God" goal", El Pais, archived from the original on 21 October 2019, retrieved 10 October 2022
  235. ^ Adams, Rebecca (29 October 2008). "Diego Maradona factfile". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 18 February 2021. Retrieved 12 October 2022.
  236. ^ "Maradona hired to coach UAE club Al Wasl". CBC Sports. 16 May 2011. Archived from the original on 12 October 2022. Retrieved 12 October 2022.
  237. ^ "Diego Maradona to coach Dubai club". ESPN. 16 May 2011. Archived from the original on 12 October 2022. Retrieved 12 October 2022.
  238. ^ "Diego Maradona sacked as manager of Al Wasl". BBC. 10 July 2012. Archived from the original on 27 January 2022. Retrieved 10 October 2022.
  239. ^ "Maradona wants to hold talks to save Al Wasl job". The Times of India. 12 July 2012. Archived from the original on 12 July 2012.
  240. ^ "Diego Maradona sacked by new board at Al-Wasl after disappointing season". The Guardian. 10 July 2012. Archived from the original on 12 October 2022. Retrieved 12 October 2022.
  241. ^ "Diego Maradona: I have many chances to become Fifa's new vice-president". The Guardian. 8 June 2015. Archived from the original on 12 October 2022. Retrieved 12 October 2022.
  242. ^ "Diego Maradona leaves job in UAE after failing to secure automatic promotion". Sky Sports. 6 May 2018. Archived from the original on 9 November 2020. Retrieved 7 May 2018.
  243. ^ "Diego Maradona leaves Al Fujairah after failing to secure automatic promotion". BBC. 27 April 2018. Archived from the original on 12 October 2022. Retrieved 12 October 2022.
  244. ^ "Yes, Diego is with us!". Dynamo Brest. 16 May 2018. Archived from the original on 18 May 2018... Retrieved 23 July 2018
  245. ^ "Diego Maradona presented as Dinamo Brest chairman". BBC Sport. 16 July 2018. Archived from the original on 9 November 2020. Retrieved 14 October 2022.
  246. ^ "Diego Maradona's 'rebirth' at coaching job at Mexican side Dorados". BBC. Archived from the original on 9 November 2020. Retrieved 10 September 2018.
  247. ^ Staff. "Angulo hat-trick helps get Maradona off to winning start in Mexico". Channel NewsAsia. Archived from the original on 19 September 2018. Retrieved 18 September 2018.
  248. ^ Marshall, Tom (14 June 2019). "Maradona out as Dorados manager, cites health". ESPN. Archived from the original on 28 November 2020. Retrieved 25 June 2019.
  249. ^ "¡Diego, bienvenido al Lobo!". Gimnasia de La Plata (in Spanish). 5 September 2019. Archived from the original on 28 November 2020. Retrieved 6 September 2019.
  250. ^ "Diego Maradona leaves Gimnasia de La Plata after just two months". Sky Sports. Archived from the original on 28 November 2020. Retrieved 20 November 2019.
  251. ^ "Diego Maradona announces Gimnasia return – two days after quitting". BBC. Archived from the original on 28 November 2020. Retrieved 22 November 2019.
  252. ^ Scandolo, Ramiro (21 November 2019). "Maradona to stay on at Gimnasia". Reuters. Archived from the original on 28 November 2020. Retrieved 26 November 2019.
  253. ^ "Maradona returns as Gimnasia head coach, two days after stepping down". Yahoo Sports. 22 November 2019. Archived from the original on 29 July 2020. Retrieved 26 November 2019.
  254. ^ "Maradona pledges future to Gimnasia after club elections – Xinhua | English.news.cn". www.xinhuanet.com. Archived from the original on 16 December 2019.
  255. ^ "Maradona keeps Gimnasia gig despite struggles". ESPN.com. 3 June 2020. Archived from the original on 18 August 2020. Retrieved 11 June 2020.
  256. ^ Garcia, Adriana (27 November 2020). "Maradona's coaching staff at Gimnasia y La Plata resign following his death". ESPN. Archived from the original on 14 October 2022. Retrieved 14 October 2022.
  257. ^ "Bianchi Favourite For Job". Eurosport. 22 October 2008. Archived from the original on 30 October 2023. Retrieved 12 October 2022.
  258. ^ Homewood, Brian (22 October 2008). "Soccer-Bianchi favourite for Argentina, Maradona in the hunt". Reuters. Archived from the original on 12 October 2022. Retrieved 12 October 2022.
  259. ^ "Maradona named as Argentina coach". BBC. 4 November 2008. Archived from the original on 11 December 2008. Retrieved 12 October 2022.
  260. ^ Campbell, Andy (19 November 2008). "Scotland 0–1 Argentina". BBC Sport. Archived from the original on 28 November 2020. Retrieved 7 July 2010.
  261. ^ "Maradona's Argentina hit for six". BBC. 1 April 2009. Archived from the original on 15 April 2023. Retrieved 12 October 2022.
  262. ^ Roughley, Gregg (1 April 2009). "'Every goal was like a stab in my heart,' says Diego Maradona". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 12 October 2022. Retrieved 12 October 2022.
  263. ^ "Last-gasp Palermo wins it in the rain". ESPN. 10 October 2009. Archived from the original on 23 October 2012. Retrieved 15 October 2009.
  264. ^ "Late winner puts Argentina in World Cup finals". CNN. 14 October 2009. Archived from the original on 15 October 2009. Retrieved 15 October 2009.
  265. ^ World Cup 2010 (15 October 2009). "Diego Maradona Tells Press To 'Suck It' After Argentina Triumph Over Uruguay". Goal.com. Archived from the original on 4 November 2015. Retrieved 12 June 2010.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  266. ^ "Maradona hit with two-month ban". BBC Sport. London. 15 November 2009. Archived from the original on 11 January 2010. Retrieved 15 November 2009.
  267. ^ "La selección argentina perdió 4 a 2 ante Catalunya en partido vibrante" [The Argentine team lost 4 to 2 against Catalonia in a vibrant match]. La Capital (in Spanish). 22 December 2009. Archived from the original on 12 October 2022. Retrieved 12 October 2022.
  268. ^ Dawkes, Phil (12 June 2010). "Argentina 1–0 Nigeria". BBC Sport. Archived from the original on 22 August 2019. Retrieved 17 June 2010.
  269. ^ Stevenson, Jonathan (17 June 2010). "Argentina 4–1 South Korea". BBC Sport. Archived from the original on 18 June 2018. Retrieved 17 June 2010.
  270. ^ "Maradona's men in top spot". ESPNsoccernet. ESPN. 22 June 2010. Archived from the original on 4 December 2018. Retrieved 23 June 2010.
  271. ^ Longman, Jeré (3 June 2010). "Germany Shows Its Strength". The New York Times. Archived from the original on 28 May 2020. Retrieved 4 June 2010.
  272. ^ "England slip to worst Cup ranking". BBC. 13 July 2010. Archived from the original on 16 June 2018. Retrieved 12 October 2022.
  273. ^ "Sad Maradona considers quitting". BBC Sport. 4 July 2010. Archived from the original on 28 November 2020. Retrieved 15 July 2010.
  274. ^ "Argentina to offer Diego Maradona new four-year deal". BBC Sport. 15 July 2010. Archived from the original on 28 November 2020. Retrieved 15 July 2010.
  275. ^ "Diego Maradona departs as manager of Argentina". The Guardian. London. Press Association. 27 July 2010. Archived from the original on 28 November 2020. Retrieved 27 July 2010.
  276. ^ "'Betrayed' Maradona lashes out at AFA". ESPNsoccernet. ESPN. 29 July 2010. Archived from the original on 3 August 2010. Retrieved 29 July 2010.
  277. ^ Batson, Chris (25 November 2020). "Diego Maradona — his life in pictures". Financial Times. Archived from the original on 10 December 2022. Retrieved 27 November 2020.
  278. ^ La Liga (19 February 2009). "Diego Maradona Becomes A Grandfather As Sergio Aguero Junior Is Born". Goal.com. Archived from the original on 21 February 2009. Retrieved 12 June 2010.
  279. ^ ESPN Deportes – "Llega en son de paz" . ESPN. Retrieved 19 May 2006
  280. ^ "El amor al ídolo". ESPN Deportes (in Spanish). 9 June 2005. Archived from the original on 4 June 2011. Retrieved 11 October 2022.
  281. ^ "Diego Maradona Junior". Resport.it. Archived from the original on 6 October 2010. Retrieved 12 June 2010.
  282. ^ "Había una vez... un elenco para la selección". Clarín (in Spanish). 3 June 2005. Archived from the original on 10 April 2022. Retrieved 11 October 2022.
  283. ^ Demare, Silvina. "Dalma Maradona: diario de una princesa". Clarín (in Spanish). Archived from the original on 30 April 2010.
  284. ^ "Prima Dona". Sports Illustrated. Archived from the original on 20 August 2018. Retrieved 19 August 2018.
  285. ^ "Diego Maradona's father Don Diego dies aged 87". The Guardian. 25 June 2015. Archived from the original on 8 November 2020. Retrieved 11 October 2022.
  286. ^ "Diego Maradona secretly filmed 'beating' his girlfriend after row over mobile phone". ITV News. 27 November 2020. Archived from the original on 26 November 2020. Retrieved 27 November 2020.
  287. ^ Smith, Joan (27 November 2020). "Tributes to Diego Maradona show how easily violence against women is ignored". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 27 November 2020. Retrieved 27 November 2020.
  288. ^ "Марадона - о расставании с Росио Оливой: "Я не тот, кто бьет жену, но я хотел оторвать ей голову" - Новости : Football.By : Новости футбола Беларуси и мира". football.by (in Russian). 18 January 2019. Archived from the original on 20 May 2021. Retrieved 20 May 2021.
  289. ^ "La historia del sobrino de Maradona que juega en River: su polémica llegada al club y su particular parecido con el tío". La Nación (in Spanish). 3 May 2018. Archived from the original on 7 April 2019. Retrieved 7 April 2019.
  290. ^ "Diego Maradona treated by paramedics after appearing to collapse at Argentina vs Nigeria World Cup 2018 game". The Independent. 27 June 2018. Archived from the original on 6 December 2020. Retrieved 26 November 2020.
  291. ^ May, John (19 April 2004). "Maradona's fall from grace". BBC Sport. Archived from the original on 4 April 2010. Retrieved 14 October 2022.
  292. ^ "The New York Times: SOCCER; Maradona Sentenced". AP via New York Times. 19 September 1991. Archived from the original on 6 December 2008. Retrieved 15 February 2017.
  293. ^ Firpo, Hernán (2 April 2020). "El éxito que llegó de España La extraña historia de Mi enfermedad, o cuando Fabiana Cantilo resucitó a Andrés Calamaro". Clarín (in Spanish). Archived from the original on 4 October 2020. Retrieved 30 July 2020.
  294. ^ Haylett, Trevor; Shaw, Phil (25 August 1994). "Football: Maradona banned for 15 months: Fifa takes tough stance". The Independent. Archived from the original on 17 July 2017. Retrieved 27 November 2020.
  295. ^ "Maradona has surgery on stomach". BBC. 6 March 2005. Archived from the original on 17 November 2020. Retrieved 28 June 2010.
  296. ^ Associated Press. "Maradona's gastric bypass inspires obese Colombians". ESPN. Archived from the original on 9 November 2012. Retrieved 28 June 2010.
  297. ^ "Maradona treated for alcoholism". BBC. 22 April 2007. Archived from the original on 11 September 2007. Retrieved 12 October 2022.
  298. ^ Calegari, Rodrigo (26 April 2007). "Malas lenguas". Olé. Archived from the original on 18 September 2009. (in Spanish)
  299. ^ "Maradona leaves alcoholism clinic". BBC News. 7 May 2007. Archived from the original on 5 April 2009. Retrieved 1 April 2010.
  300. ^ "Maradona says he no longer drinks". ESPN. 8 May 2007. Archived from the original on 23 October 2012.
  301. ^ Couzens, Gerard; Moore-Bridger, Benedict (27 June 2018). "Diego Maradona blames bizarre World Cup behaviour on white wine binge in VIP box". Evening Standard. Archived from the original on 4 December 2020. Retrieved 27 November 2020.
  302. ^ "Diego Maradona recovering in hospital after operation for internal bleeding". BBC Sport. 13 January 2019. Archived from the original on 10 November 2020. Retrieved 13 January 2019.
  303. ^ Haroun, Azmi (26 November 2020). "Beyond soccer, here are some of the political causes, leaders, and movements Diego Maradona supported in his life". Insider. Retrieved 10 October 2022.
  304. ^ "'In my heart I am Palestinian': Maradona's activism remembered". Al-Jazeera. 26 November 2020. Archived from the original on 27 November 2020. Retrieved 26 November 2020.
  305. ^ Taylor, Chris (6 November 2005). "A big hand". The Observer. UK. Archived from the original on 26 November 2020. Retrieved 19 June 2006.
  306. ^ Maradona, Diego; Daniel Arcucci; Ernesto Cherquis Bialo (2005). El Diego. London: Yellow Jersey. ISBN 0-224-07190-4.
  307. ^ Agnew, Paddy (2012). Forza Italia The Fall and Rise of Italian Football. Ebury Publishing. p. 85.
  308. ^ Marsh, Sarah (25 November 2020). "Maradona, football legend, was a champion of Latin America's left". Reuters. Archived from the original on 27 November 2020. Retrieved 10 October 2022.
  309. ^ Carroll, Rory (20 August 2007). "Maradona and Chávez laugh over 'hand of god' goal on chat show". The Guardian. UK. Archived from the original on 26 November 2020. Retrieved 20 August 2007.
  310. ^ Kevan, Paul (27 June 2007). "Maradona fancies a Copa". Metro. Retrieved 10 October 2022.
  311. ^ Sherlock, Harry (2 July 2017). "'Donald Trump is a cartoon' - Diego Maradona ridicules US president and hails 'peaceful' Putin". Goal.com. Retrieved 2 July 2022.
  312. ^ Amis, Martin (1 October 2004). "In search of Dieguito". The Guardian. Retrieved 22 August 2021.
  313. ^ Timerman, Jordana (5 November 2005). "Chávez and Maradona Lead Massive Rebuke of Bush". The Nation. Archived from the original on 16 June 2006. Retrieved 20 June 2006.
  314. ^ "Image of Maradona wearing the STOP BU卐H shirt". Archived from the original on 23 June 2010. Retrieved 12 June 2010.
  315. ^ "Ex-soccer star Maradona tells Chavez he hates U.S." Reuters. 19 August 2007. Archived from the original on 29 April 2008. Retrieved 20 August 2007.
  316. ^ Crowley, James (25 November 2020). "After Maradona's Death, His Opinion of America Resurfaces: 'I Hate Everything From the U.S.'". Newsweek. Archived from the original on 25 November 2020. Retrieved 25 November 2020.
  317. ^ "Football awaits an audience with Italy and Argentina". Eurosport. 13 August 2013. Archived from the original on 4 September 2014.
  318. ^ Pullella, Philip (2 September 2014). "Diego Maradona meets Pope Francis in Rome". Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 10 October 2022.
  319. ^ Naughton, Philippe (3 April 2008). "Diego Maradona makes a fan of President Ahmadinejad of Iran". The Sunday Times. London. Retrieved 28 June 2010.
  320. ^ "Diego Maradona visits Hugo Chavez tomb". NDTV. 13 April 2013. Archived from the original on 25 August 2016.
  321. ^ "Así bailó Maradona durante el cierre de campaña de Maduro". El Nacional (in Spanish). 17 May 2018. Retrieved 18 May 2018.
  322. ^ "Maradona acompañó a Maduro en su cierre de campaña electoral". Panorama.com.ve (in Spanish). 17 May 2018. Retrieved 18 May 2018.
  323. ^ "Federación México multa a Maradona por dedicar triunfo a Maduro". Reuters (in Spanish). 8 April 2019. Archived from the original on 9 April 2019. Retrieved 10 April 2019.
  324. ^ "Why Diego Maradona will always be Argentina's favourite son". CBC News. 25 November 2020.
  325. ^ Bhardwaj, Vaishali (21 October 2015). "Diego Maradona sends a 'big hug to the Houses of Parliament' and thanks the Queen". London Evening Standard . Retrieved 10 October 2022.
  326. ^ "Police seize Maradona's earrings". BBC News. 19 September 2009. Retrieved 15 June 2021.
  327. ^ "Maradona still owes 37 million euros, taxman says". wsn.com. 28 March 2009. Archived from the original on 31 January 2015.
  328. ^ "Italy court clears Maradona of tax evasion years after his death". Reuters. 5 January 2024. Retrieved 6 January 2024.
  329. ^ Rey, Deborah; McStay, Kirsten (3 November 2020). "Football legend Diego Maradona admitted to hospital with signs of depression". Daily Record. Retrieved 3 November 2020.
  330. ^ "Argentina great Maradona to have emergency brain surgery". ESPN. 3 November 2020. Retrieved 3 November 2020.
  331. ^ Tatiana Arias and Hugo Correa (12 November 2020). "Diego Maradona discharged from clinic following successful brain surgery". CNN. Retrieved 12 November 2020.
  332. ^ de Menezes, Jack (25 November 2020). "Diego Maradona dies aged 60". The Independent. Retrieved 25 November 2020.
  333. ^ "Conmoción en el country donde murió Maradona: "Lo recibimos como a un vecino más"" (in Spanish). Clarín. 25 November 2020. Retrieved 28 November 2020. Allí, el 10 transitó sus últimos días en la casa ubicada dentro del complejo emplazado en la avenida Italia al 4665, en Dique Luján, muy cerca del límite con Escobar.
  334. ^ "Diego Maradona: Footballer laid to rest as Argentina grieves". BBC News. 26 November 2020. Retrieved 27 November 2020.
  335. ^ AFP (26 November 2020). "Chaos as heartbroken Maradona mourners clash with police at wake". Fox Sports Australia. Retrieved 27 November 2020.
  336. ^ AFP (26 November 2020). "Diego Maradona funeral cortege heads to cemetery near Buenos Aires". News24. Retrieved 27 November 2020.
  337. ^ "Diego Maradona laid to rest in private ceremony in Buenos Aires". Sky Sports. 27 November 2020. Retrieved 27 November 2020.
  338. ^ "Stars line up to laud Diego". FIFA.com. 26 November 2020. Retrieved 27 November 2020.
  339. ^ "Diego Maradona: Argentina legend dies aged 60". BBC News. 25 November 2020. Retrieved 25 November 2020.
  340. ^ Church, Ben (25 November 2020). "Diego Maradona dies aged 60". CNN. Retrieved 25 November 2020.
  341. ^ "Champions League clubs pay tribute to Maradona with moment of silence". TSN. 25 November 2020. Retrieved 26 November 2020.
  342. ^ "Copa Libertadores: Conmebol le aplica el luto por Maradona a Boca Juniors". Strikers.futbol. 25 November 2020. Retrieved 27 November 2020.
  343. ^ "Boca Juniors' Copa Libertadores game postponed after Maradona's death". SportsNet. 25 November 2020. Retrieved 27 November 2020.
  344. ^ "AFC President pays tribute to footballing legend Maradona". AFC.com. 26 November 2020. Retrieved 27 November 2020.
  345. ^ "Serie A plans league-wide weekend tribute to Diego Maradona". TSN.ca. 27 November 2020. Retrieved 29 November 2020.
  346. ^ "Napoli v HNK Rijeka: Hosts pay tribute to Maradona at Stadio San Paolo". BBC Sport. 26 November 2020. Retrieved 26 November 2020.
  347. ^ "'The greatest idol': football world pays tribute to Diego Maradona – video". The Guardian. 26 November 2020. Retrieved 27 November 2020.
  348. ^ "Diego Maradona Was From Another Planet, Says Eto'o". panafricanfootball. 27 November 2020. Archived from the original on 13 March 2022. Retrieved 1 December 2020.
  349. ^ Chauhan, Prathamesh Singh (26 November 2020). "Khabib Nurmagomedov, Conor McGregor and Mike Tyson React to Diego Maradona's Demise". EssentiallySports. Retrieved 29 November 2020.
  350. ^ "Maradona passes away: Celebrities pay tributes to the legend". mid-day. 25 November 2020. Retrieved 29 November 2020.
  351. ^ "Tennis World Pays Tribute to Maradona". THISDAYLIVE. 28 November 2020. Retrieved 29 November 2020.
  352. ^ West, Jenna (25 November 2020). "Sports World Pays Tribute to Diego Maradona". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved 29 November 2020.
  353. ^ "The tribute of the basketball workforce to Diego Maradona". TV6 News. Archived from the original on 13 December 2020. Retrieved 29 November 2020.
  354. ^ "Stadium near Barasat named after legendary Diego Maradona". The Times of India. 27 November 2020. Retrieved 27 November 2020.
  355. ^ "All-New Copa Diego Maradona Logo Launched". Footy Headlines. 28 November 2020. Retrieved 29 November 2020.
  356. ^ Flood, George (28 November 2020). "All Blacks pay touching tribute to Diego Maradona ahead of Tri Nations clash against Argentina". Evening Standard. Retrieved 13 October 2022.
  357. ^ "Argentina moved by All Blacks' Tri-Nations tribute to Diego Maradona". The Guardian. 29 November 2020. Retrieved 13 October 2022.
  358. ^ Marsden, Sam (29 November 2020). "Messi honours Maradona with Newell's Old Boys shirt as Barca rout Osasuna". ESPN. Retrieved 29 November 2020.
  359. ^ Chakravarti, Neelav. "Watch: Boca Juniors' Emotional Tribute Brings Diego Maradona's Daughter To Tears". NDTV. Retrieved 1 December 2020.
  360. ^ "Seven medical professionals charged with homicide after investigation into Diego Maradona's death". CNN. 21 May 2021.
  361. ^ Candalaft, Martín (25 June 2021). "Indagan a Cosachov, la psiquiatra acusada del homicidio de Maradona: aceptó responder las preguntas de los fiscales" [Cosachov qustioned: the psychiatrist accused of Maradona's murder: she agreed to answer the questions of the prosecutors]. Infobae (in Spanish). Retrieved 25 June 2021.
  362. ^ "Muerte de Maradona: declara la psiquiatra Agustina Cosachov" [Death of Maradona: the psychiatrist Agustina Cosachov declares]. Ámbito Financiero (in Spanish). 25 June 2021. Retrieved 25 June 2021.
  363. ^ "Maradona's psychiatrist rejects blame in football legend's death". Al Jazeera. 26 June 2021. Retrieved 26 June 2021.
  364. ^ "Muerte de Maradona: querella pidió la detención de Leopoldo Luque, Agustina Cosachov, el psicólogo y la médica de la prepaga" [Death of Maradona: complaint requested the arrest of Leopoldo Luque, Agustina Cosachov, the psychologist and the prepaid doctor]. Minuto Uno (in Spanish). 28 June 2021. Retrieved 28 June 2021.
  365. ^ "Muerte de Maradona: rechazan las detenciones de Luque y Cosachov con una dura crítica al abogado que las pidió" [Death of Maradona: prosecutors reject the arrests of Luque and Cosachov with a harsh criticism of the lawyer who requested them]. Clarín (in Spanish). 1 July 2021. Retrieved 1 July 2021.
  366. ^ Di Nicola, Gabriel (1 July 2021). "La muerte de Diego Maradona: con duras críticas a un abogado querellante rechazaron los pedidos de detención de los imputados" [The death of Diego Maradona: with harsh criticism of a plaintiff lawyer they rejected the requests for the arrest of the accused]. La Nación (in Spanish). Retrieved 1 July 2021.
  367. ^ "Maradona: Medical staff to be tried for football legend's death". BBC. 23 June 2022. Retrieved 14 October 2022.
  368. ^ "An Argentine judge orders 8 to face a homicide trial in soccer star Maradona's death". NPR. 23 June 2022. Retrieved 14 October 2022.
  369. ^ Baynes, Megan (23 June 2022). "Diego Maradona: Eight doctors and nurses who cared for Argentina legend face homicide charges after his death". Sky Sports. Retrieved 14 October 2022.
  370. ^ Agence France Presse (AFP) (18 April 2023). "Eight accused of wrongdoing in Maradona's death will stand trial, rules court | Buenos Aires Times". Buenos Aires Times. Retrieved 1 May 2023.
  371. ^ "Church of Maradona faithful touched by the Hand of God". The Independent. Retrieved 31 December 2022.
  372. ^ "¿Es el sucesor natural?". ESPN Deportes (in Spanish). 29 June 2006. Retrieved 12 October 2022.
  373. ^ Shields, Tom (9 April 2006). "Lets Raise a Glass to Maradona, Tom Shields Sports Diary". Sunday Herald. Retrieved 12 October 2022.
  374. ^ Toucon, Alvaro Sanjurjo (2006). "Havana 2006 "The Road to San Diego" A Chronicle of Men and Heroes". FIPRESCI. Archived from the original on 27 September 2007.
  375. ^ "Maradona Soccer Game". Archived from the original on 6 July 2013.
  376. ^ "Maradona in intensive care". BBC Sport. 28 April 2004. Retrieved 12 October 2022.
  377. ^ Blake, Mark (2010). Is This The Real Life? The Untold Story of Queen. Arum Press. p. 255.
  378. ^ Jimmy Burns (2011) "Maradona: The Hand of God". pp. 71, 84. A&C Black
  379. ^ "Maradona, Pelé and Zidane for Vuitton". GQ Magazine. Retrieved 14 May 2014
  380. ^ "Shakira launches clip 'Waka Waka' Cup official music" (in Portuguese). Reforma. 8 June 2010. Retrieved 9 June 2010.
  381. ^ "ARCHIVO 10, Diego Maradona – Videos de publicidades". Archivo10.com. Archived from the original on 7 July 2011. Retrieved 6 May 2011.
  382. ^ "Maradona diz não se arrepender de usar camisa do Brasil na TV". AdNews.com.br. 30 April 2006. Archived from the original on 6 July 2011.
  383. ^ "World Cup 2014: Brazilians named after Maradona and Lineker". BBC Sport. 23 June 2014. Retrieved 1 February 2015.
  384. ^ Burt, Jason (31 January 2015). "Diego Costa: I take things to limit but I did nothing wrong". The Daily Telegraph. Archived from the original on 10 January 2022. Retrieved 31 January 2015.
  385. ^ "FIFA 18 to include 95-rated icon Diego Maradona as EA Sports adds footballing legend to Ultimate Team". Evening Standard. Retrieved 8 September 2017
  386. ^ "Film-maker Asif Kapadia: 'Maradona is the third part of a trilogy about child geniuses and fame'". The Guardian. 1 October 2017.
  387. ^ Stolworthy, Jacob (1 October 2017). "Amy director Asif Kapadia set to make Maradona documentary". The Independent. Retrieved 10 October 2022.
  388. ^ Ciullini, Pablo. "Diego Armando Maradona – Goals in Argentina League". RSSSF. Retrieved 12 October 2022.
  389. ^ "Estadísticas con la Selección Argentina". diegomaradona.com. Archived from the original on 18 October 2009. Retrieved 23 October 2020.
  390. ^ "Diego Maradona stats". Footballdatabase. Retrieved 29 November 2020.
  391. ^ De Calò, Alessandro (2011). Il calcio di Maradona ai raggi X (in Italian). La Gazzetta dello Sport. p. 6.
  392. ^ Bobrowsky, Josef (9 July 2009). "Artemio Franchi Trophy 1993". RSSSF. Archived from the original on 30 July 2020. Retrieved 16 September 2018.
  393. ^ "The Albiceleste underdog who conquered the world". FIFA. Archived from the original on 24 September 2015. Retrieved 27 February 2015.
  394. ^ "Todos los ganadores del oro, desde 1954" [All gold winners since 1954]. La Nación (in Spanish). Buenos Aires. 18 December 2007. Archived from the original on 5 January 2016. Retrieved 24 December 2012. 1986 Diego Maradona (Fútbol)
  395. ^ "Guerin Sportivo World Player of the Year awards 1979-1986". BigSoccer Forum. Retrieved 30 August 2022.
  396. ^ "Guerin Sportivo World Player of the Year awards 1979-1986". BigSoccer Forum. Retrieved 30 August 2022.
  397. ^ "Guerin Sportivo World Player of the Year awards 1979-1986". BigSoccer Forum. Retrieved 13 February 2023.
  398. ^ Pierrend, José Luis; Gorgazzi, Osvaldo José. "Argentina – Player of the Year". RSSSF. Retrieved 12 October 2022.
  399. ^ Pierrend, José Luis. "South American Player of the Year 1986". RSSSF. Retrieved 4 December 2021.
  400. ^ Pierrend, José Luis. "South American Player of the Year 1989". RSSSF. Retrieved 4 December 2021.
  401. ^ Pierrend, José Luis. "South American Player of the Year 1990". RSSSF. Retrieved 4 December 2021.
  402. ^ Bobrowsky, Josef; Pierrend, José Luis. "South American Player of the Year 1992". RSSSF. Retrieved 4 December 2021.
  403. ^ "El Grafico 1981 ranking". elgrafico.
  404. ^ "El Gráfico Américas player of the year (1980-1983)". BigSoccer Forum. Retrieved 30 August 2022.
  405. ^ "Guerin Sportivo World Player of the Year awards 1979-1986". BigSoccer Forum. Retrieved 30 August 2022.
  406. ^ "Guerin Sportivo World Player of the Year awards 1979-1986". BigSoccer Forum. Retrieved 30 August 2022.
  407. ^ McCracken, Craig (10 March 2014). "Eric Batty's World XI's – The Eighties and Nineties". Beyond The Last Man. Retrieved 30 August 2022.
  408. ^ "Guerin Sportivo Serie A Team of the Year". BigSoccer. Retrieved 30 September 2024.
  409. ^ Pierrend, José Luis; Di Maggio, Roberto. "Guerin d'Oro". RSSSF. Retrieved 10 September 2015.
  410. ^ Pierrend, José Luis. ""Onze Mondial" Awards". RSSSF. Retrieved 30 August 2022.
  411. ^ "1986 FIFA World Cup Mexico: Awards". FIFA. Archived from the original on 20 December 2013.
  412. ^ "World Cup 1986 – Statistics". Planet World Cup. Retrieved 28 February 2015.
  413. ^ "L'Équipe World Champion of Champions". whoholdsthetitle.com. 10 January 2021. Retrieved 12 October 2022.
  414. ^ "Guerin Sportivo World Player of the Year awards 1979–1986". BigSoccer Forum. Retrieved 13 February 2023.
  415. ^ "Guerin Sportivo World Player of the Year awards 1979–1986". BigSoccer Forum. Retrieved 13 February 2023.
  416. ^ "Guerin Sportivo World Player of the Year awards 1979-1986". BigSoccer Forum. Retrieved 13 February 2023.
  417. ^ "Guerin Sportivo World Player of the Year awards 1979-1986". BigSoccer Forum. Retrieved 13 February 2023.
  418. ^ Rota, Davide; Di Maggio, Roberto. "Italy - Coppa Italia Top Scorers". RSSSF. Retrieved 12 October 2022.
  419. ^ "South American Team of the Year". RSSSF. Retrieved 30 August 2022.
  420. ^ de Arruda, Marcelo Leme. "World All-Time Teams". RSSSF. Retrieved 30 June 2017.
  421. ^ "Combien de Ballon(s) d'Or France Football aurait pu remporter Diego Maradona ?". France Football (in French). 29 October 2020. Archived from the original on 14 November 2020. Retrieved 14 November 2020.
  422. ^ "Maradona is sportsman of the century". IOL. 21 December 1999. Retrieved 12 October 2022.
  423. ^ "Marca Leyenda: Diego Maradona". MARCA. 3 April 2018. Archived from the original on 17 July 2018.
  424. ^ "Nápoli retira camiseta número 10 en homenaje a Maradona" [Napoli retires number 10 jersey in tribute to Maradona]. Caracol Radio (in Spanish). 24 August 2000. Retrieved 12 October 2022.
  425. ^ "FIFA Dream Team: Maradona voted top player". The Indian Express. 19 June 2002. Archived from the original on 6 October 2012.
  426. ^ "Golden Foot – Diego Armando Maradona". Goldenfoot.com. Archived from the original on 9 February 2015. Retrieved 1 March 2015.
  427. ^ "Maradona honoured in Argentina". Irish Examiner. 22 June 2005. Retrieved 12 October 2022.
  428. ^ "Un diario inglés eligió a Maradona como el mejor jugador de la historia de los mundiales". El Comercio (in Spanish). 22 March 2010. Archived from the original on 30 December 2017. Retrieved 12 October 2022.
  429. ^ "CdS, Maradona meglio di tutti, batte anche Valentino Rossi". tifonapoli.it (in Italian). 3 February 2012. Archived from the original on 12 July 2018.
  430. ^ "Diego Armando Maradona Best Player of the 20th Century". globesoccer.co. Globe Soccer. Archived from the original on 5 August 2020. Retrieved 23 October 2021.
  431. ^ "Messi y Cristiano: los favoritos para ser el Jugador del Siglo". ole.com.ar (in Spanish). Olé. 24 November 2020. Retrieved 23 October 2021.
  432. ^ "Wall of Fame". Globe Soccer.com. Retrieved 28 December 2015.
  433. ^ Jamie Rainbow (2 July 2013). "The Greatest XI: how the panel voted". World Soccer. Archived from the original on 1 January 2015. Retrieved 28 July 2018.
  434. ^ "Italian football Hall of Fame to induct ten new stars". 25 October 2016. Archived from the original on 26 October 2016. Retrieved 25 October 2016.
  435. ^ "La Selección de Todos los Tiempos" [The Team of All Time] (in Spanish). Argentine Football Association. 4 January 2016. Archived from the original on 14 August 2018. Retrieved 29 January 2018.
  436. ^ "Top 50 des joueurs sud-américains de l'histoire" [Top 50 South-American footballers in history]. L'Équipe (in French). 4 July 2015. Archived from the original on 4 July 2015. Retrieved 6 July 2015.
  437. ^ "IFFHS announce the 48 football legend players". IFFHS. 25 January 2016. Archived from the original on 24 September 2019. Retrieved 14 September 2016.
  438. ^ Crépin, Timothé (14 December 2020). "Ballon d'Or Dream Team : Découvrez les révélations de ce onze de légende !". France Football (in French). Retrieved 14 December 2020.
  439. ^ "IFFHS All Time World Men's Dream Team". IFFHS. 22 May 2021. Retrieved 12 October 2022.
  440. ^ "IFFHS All Time South America Men's Dream Team". IFFHS. 22 May 2021. Retrieved 12 October 2022.
World Cup-winners status
Preceded by
Carlos Alberto Torres
1944 		Latest Born Captain to Die
25 November 2020 – present 		Incumbent
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Diego_Maradona&oldid=1255291734"