Diego Armando Maradona, the Argentine soccer icon who handed away on Nov. 25, 2020, following a coronary heart assault, is being commemorated on the fourth anniversary of his demise.
Born on Oct. 30, 1960, in Buenos Aires, Maradona grew up in a modest family.
His father was a manufacturing unit employee, and his mom a homemaker.
By age 8, his expertise was found, main him to the native membership Estrella Roja.
His ascent was fast; earlier than turning 16, he signed knowledgeable contract with Argentinos Juniors, the place he started to dazzle followers together with his extraordinary abilities.
Maradona’s profession trajectory quickly took him to Boca Juniors, the place he gained a championship in 1981, after which to Europe, the place his legend would absolutely unfold.
Rise of world icon
In 1982, Maradona joined Barcelona, making an instantaneous impression.
Over two seasons, he scored 38 objectives in 58 matches and helped safe three trophies: the Copa del Rey, the Spanish Super Cup, and the La Liga Cup.
However, it was his 1984 transfer to Napoli that solidified his place in soccer historical past.
In Naples, Maradona turned a phenomenon.
Over seven seasons, he performed 259 matches and scored 115 objectives, reworking Napoli right into a title contender.
Under his management, the membership gained two Serie A titles, the UEFA Cup, the Coppa Italia, and the Italian Super Cup, creating an period of success that followers nonetheless revere.
After leaving Napoli, Maradona had stints with Sevilla, Newell’s Old Boys, and a return to Boca Juniors earlier than retiring in 1997.
His membership profession noticed him play 588 matches and rating 312 objectives throughout all competitions.
1986 World Cup
Maradona’s most iconic second got here in the course of the 1986 FIFA World Cup, the place he led Argentina to glory.
His efficiency all through the event was nothing in need of sensational, however the quarterfinal in opposition to England cemented his legend.
In that match, Maradona scored two of essentially the most well-known objectives in soccer historical past: the notorious “Hand of god” objective and the “Goal of the Century,” the place he dribbled previous 5 English gamers over 60 meters earlier than discovering the web.
Argentina went on to defeat West Germany 3-2 within the remaining, securing their second World Cup title.
Maradona earned 91 caps for Argentina, scoring 34 objectives, and his exploits in 1986 stay a benchmark for greatness.
Scandalous god
Despite his brilliance on the pitch, Maradona’s profession was typically overshadowed by controversies.
His struggles with drug dependancy turned public in 1991, resulting in a 15-month ban from soccer.
In 1994, he was expelled from the World Cup after testing optimistic for banned substances.
Even after retiring, Maradona’s off-field points continued.
Health issues linked to his dependancy and a longstanding tax dispute with Italian authorities over 37 million euros ($35.8 million) in unpaid taxes from his Napoli days forged a shadow on his legacy.
Dimmed spark
Maradona’s foray into teaching was much less illustrious than his enjoying days.
Beginning in Argentina with stints at Textil Mandiyu and Racing Club, his managerial profession took a high-profile flip when he was appointed head coach of the Argentina nationwide group in 2008.
Despite guiding Argentina to the 2010 World Cup, his tenure ended after a humiliating 4-0 defeat to Germany within the quarterfinals.
Known for his fiery persona, Maradona additionally courted controversy throughout his teaching profession, together with a two-month FIFA ban for verbally attacking reporters.
He later managed golf equipment within the UAE, Mexico, and Argentina, however his teaching profession failed to duplicate the glory of his enjoying days.
Legacy lives on
Maradona’s absence was deeply felt in the course of the 2022 FIFA World Cup, the primary event held after his demise.
Fittingly, Argentina triumphed, defeating France in an exciting remaining at Lusail Stadium to assert their third World Cup title.
The victory served as a poignant tribute to the person who had carried the nation to glory many years earlier.
Source: www.dailysabah.com