The story of the “Hand of God,” a footballer with extraordinary technique.
Maradona was born on October 30, 1960, in the slums of Villa Fiorito, on the outskirts of Buenos Aires. Like all poor children in the city, football was his only daily activity, and he spent much of his time playing in the streets or learning the game on rough, uneven pitches.
It was these small spaces, filled with cars, passers-by, and obstacles, that trained him to master the ball with extraordinary skill.
Already idolized by his teammates for his astonishing abilities, he was soon nicknamed El Pibe de Oro (The Golden Boy), a name that would stay with him even after he became famous. Recognizing his enormous talent, he was first signed by Argentinos Juniors before moving to Boca Juniors, the legendary club from Buenos Aires. His extraordinary skills could not go unnoticed, and at just sixteen years old, he was called up to the Argentina national team, accelerating his rise.
However, Menotti, Argentina’s coach at the time, did not select him for the 1978 World Cup, considering him too young for such an important tournament. As a result, El Pibe de Oro made up for his absence by winning the 1979 Under-20 World Cup, where he was the standout player.
From that moment, his rise was unstoppable. After exceptional performances in the league, he moved to Europe for the 1982 World Cup in Spain, where he led a relatively weak Argentina side. In key matches against Brazil and Italy, he failed to shine as expected and was even sent off.
That same year, Barcelona paid a record 12 billion lire to sign him from Boca Juniors.
However, his time in Spain was troubled. He played only 36 matches in two years due to hepatitis and a serious injury — the worst of his career — caused by Goikoetxea, an Athletic Bilbao defender, who fractured his left ankle and damaged his ligaments.
In 1984, after long negotiations, he moved to the city that would make him its symbol and idol: Naples.
The Neapolitan club made a huge sacrifice, paying an enormous fee for the time: 13.5 billion lire. It would prove to be a worthy investment, as Maradona’s performances led Napoli to the peak of European football, winning two Serie A titles, one Coppa Italia, one UEFA Cup, and one Italian Super Cup.
Diego Armando Maradona reached the peak of his career at the 1986 World Cup in Mexico, leading Argentina to victory. He scored five goals, provided five assists, and was named the best player of the tournament. In the quarter-final against England, he scored the goal known as the “Hand of God,” a moment that remains unforgettable for the English to this day.
A few minutes later, he scored the greatest goal ever seen: a long run from midfield, dribbling past half the English team before finishing with a goal.
In the end, he almost single-handedly led Argentina to a 3–2 victory over West Germany in the World Cup final.
Then came Italia ’90 and the beginning of his decline. Argentina reached the final but lost to Germany after a Brehme penalty.
A year later, in March 1991, he tested positive for doping and was banned for 15 months.
The scandal overwhelmed him, and Maradona’s decline seemed unstoppable. Cocaine use entered the picture, serious tax problems emerged, and a son was born whom he never officially recognized.
In 1991, he left Napoli and moved to Sevilla, where he failed to succeed and returned to Argentina the following year.
Just when his story seemed to be heading toward a tragic ending, a final twist came: his call-up for the 1994 World Cup in the USA, where he scored a brilliant goal against Greece. Fans hoped he had finally returned to his best, but he was again suspended after testing positive for ephedrine, a substance banned by FIFA.
In October 1994, Maradona became coach of Deportivo Mandiyú, but his spell lasted only two months. In 1995, he coached Racing Club but resigned after four months. He later returned to play for Boca Juniors, where fans gave him a huge and unforgettable welcome at La Bombonera. He stayed until 1997, when he tested positive for doping once again. On his 37th birthday, “El Pibe de Oro” announced his retirement from football.
After his playing career ended, Maradona struggled with life after football. Having been adored by crowds and constantly in the spotlight, he found it difficult to accept the end of his playing days. While he was no longer covered for football achievements, he remained present in tabloids and gossip media.
In 2008, after the resignation of Alfio Basile following poor World Cup qualifying results, Diego Armando Maradona was appointed head coach of the Argentina national team.
He then led Argentina into one of the main contenders at the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa.