Maradona was born on the 30th of October 1960 in Villa Fiorito, one the poorest suburbs of Buenos Aires. Most people consider him as the best soccerplayer ever in the history of soccer. Het started playing when he was 9 years old. His first club was Cebollitas, the youthteam of Argentinos Juniors. Because of his unknown talent he soon got the nickname “Pibe de Oro”, which literally means “Golden Boy”. He played through his 15th for the youthteam.
On his 16th he debuted in professional football with Argentinos Juniors. And a few months later he already debuted in the national team of Argentina. With that he became the youngest player ever in the national team. In 1978 he was passed over for the WC in his native country. The trainer considered him still too young to take part on such a big event. The first big popularity he gained in 1979, when he became world champion with the youth national team. He was called out “player of the tournament”and became sportsman of the year in South-America. In 1981 he played for one of the bestknown clubs in Argentina, namely Boca Juniors.
In 1982 he played for the first time on a WC for seniors in Spain. However, this wasn’t a successful tournament for Maradona. He only scored two goals and in the most important matches he wasn’t yet the great surprise everybody hoped for. Argentina was already eliminated in the 2nd round. Yet he enforced a contract with Barcelona in the next year. Barcelona had to pay the record amount of 3,6 million euro for him. In two seasons he only played 36 matches, due to injuries and hepatitis.
After long negotiation, in 1984, Maradona exchanged Barcelona for Napels. Napoli had to pay 6,7 million euro to Barcelona. He played 7 years for Napoli and became 2 times national champion, gained once the UEFA-cup, once the Italian cup and once the Italian Supercup. The fans adored him as if he was God. This link was made because of the “football miracle”.
Then there was the WC in Mexico 1986. If someone doubted Maradona’s class, it wouldn’t last long. Because in that WC he shined like a real star. He led his team to the WC title. He scored 5 goals, gave 5 assists and was pronounced player of the tournament. In the quarter finals Argentina met England. Due to the Falkland-crisis this match came with an extra load. The first half was very disappointing and had a halftime score of 0-0. In the 50th minute of the game he got the ball and passed a few defenders, but then he gave a bad pass. An English defender kicked the ball, assuming goalie Shilton would catch it. But Maradona jumped in between, touched the ball with his hand, and scored. Protest didn’t help and the referee probably didn’t see it. Maradona already was having a party with his teammates at the cornerflag. In my view “The hand of God”is the most controversial goal ever. Later that game he scored the most beautifull goal ever on a WC. He got the ball on his own half and dribbled past everyone as if they were amateurs playing for the first time. Finaly Lineker scored 2-1, but Argentina qualified for the semi-finals and later for the final. Germany was beaten and Maradona was admired by everyone. Maradona was recognised as one of the greatest soccerplayers of all times.
In 1990, after he won the Italian competition with Napoli, he participated the WC in Italy. Due to his ankle-injury he never reached the level of 4 years earlier and in the final they lost from Germany. Maradona thought of a plot against him, because in the final Germany got a doubtfull penalty. During his 7th year at Napoli Diego asked for a transfer to Ol.Marseille. He no more could stand the pressure and threats from many journalists. President Ferlaino refused Diego’s departure. The only thing to do was flee Italy. In 1991 he also was found positive at a dope-control, which got him a 15 months suspension.
He left Italy in September 1992 and went back to Spain to play for Sevilla where he remained only one year. He moved to the Newell’s Old Boys, but also there he stayed for a short time. In 1993 was his comeback in the national team. He wanted to show his “art” for one last time at the WC in the United States. He only played there the first 2 matches against Greece (in which he scored once) and Nigeria. After that he was found again positive at a dope-control and was shut out from the WC and again got a suspension of 15 months from the FIFA. Then he tried as a coach from Deportivo Mandiyu. In vain, for after two months the adventure was over already. In 1995 he became trainer of the Racing Football Team for a while, but after 4 months he resigned.
The last time he tried on the field was with his old club Boca Juniors. The fans had organised a tremendous party in behalf of the comeback of their idol. But again things went wrong on 24th of August 1997, when he was found positive for the 3rd time with drugs. On the 30th of October 1997, his birthday, Maradona announced definitively to quit playing soccer. 20 Years of magic came to an end, Maradona was no longer a football player.
Though his career was hit with lots of field obstacles he manged to shine through and will be remebered forever.
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