'Maradona' is a goal scorer from the hand of God

               'Maradona' is a goal scorer from the hand of God

In this Spanish naming convention, the first surname, which is the paternal name, is Maradona, while the second surname, the maternal name, is Franco.

Diego Armando Maradona Franco (Spanish: [ˈdjeɣo maɾaˈðona]; 30 October 1960 – 25 November 2020) was a professional football player and manager from Argentina. He is often celebrated as one of the greatest players in the history of football and was a co-recipient of the FIFA Player of the 20th Century award, sharing this honor with Pelé.

An exceptional playmaker who thrived in the traditional number 10 role, Maradona combined remarkable vision, precise passing, exceptional ball control, and outstanding dribbling skills with his diminutive stature. This low center of gravity enabled him to maneuver more effectively than many of his peers. His influence and leadership on the pitch significantly impacted his team's overall performance, often drawing the attention of opposing players. Beyond his creative prowess, he had a keen eye for scoring and was recognized as a specialist in free kicks. A prodigious talent, Maradona earned the nickname El Pibe de Oro ("The Golden Boy"), a title that remained with him throughout his illustrious career.

Maradona was the first player to achieve the distinction of setting the world record transfer fee on two occasions: first in 1982, when he transferred to Barcelona for £5 million, and again in 1984, when he moved to Napoli for £6.9 million. Throughout his club career, he represented Argentinos Juniors, Boca Juniors, Barcelona, Napoli, Sevilla, and Newell's Old Boys. He is particularly renowned for his tenure at Napoli, where he garnered numerous awards and led the team to its inaugural Serie A title, repeating this success just a year later. However, Maradona's life off the field was marked by difficulties, and his time at Napoli concluded following a ban due to cocaine use.

Throughout his international career with Argentina, he accumulated 91 appearances and netted 34 goals. Maradona participated in four FIFA World Cups, notably the 1986 tournament in Mexico, where he served as captain and guided Argentina to triumph against West Germany in the final, earning the Golden Ball as the tournament's outstanding player. In the quarterfinals of the 1986 World Cup, he scored both goals in a 2–1 win over England, a match that became iconic for two distinct reasons. The first goal was a controversial unpenalized handball, famously referred to as the "Hand of God," while the second was a remarkable 60-meter (66-yard) dribble past five English defenders, which was later voted the "Goal of the Century" by FIFA.com voters in 2002.

Maradona also pursued a career in management. He took on the role of head coach for Argentina's national football team in November 2008, leading the squad during the 2010 World Cup held in South Africa before departing at the conclusion of the tournament. Following this, he managed Al Wasl, a club in the UAE Pro-League, during the 2011–12 season. In 2017, Maradona assumed the coaching position at Fujairah but left after the season ended. He served as the chairman of Dynamo Brest from May to September 2018. Subsequently, from September 2018 to June 2019, he coached the Mexican club Dorados, and he was at the helm of Argentine Primera División club Gimnasia de La Plata from September 2019 until his passing in 2020. FourFourTwo ranked him as the third greatest football player of all time.

Diego Maradona was born on October 30, 1960, in Lanús, Buenos Aires, and grew up in the impoverished area of Villa Fiorito. He was the first male child in a family of five, following four daughters, and had two younger brothers, Hugo and Raúl, who also pursued careers in football. His father had Guaraní and Galician ancestry, while his mother was of Italian and Croatian descent.

At the age of three, Maradona received his first football and demonstrated remarkable talent from a young age. By the time he was eight, he had joined the youth team "Los Cebollitas" of Argentinos Juniors after being discovered while playing for Estrella Roja. He quickly gained fame, leading his team to an impressive streak of 141 matches without defeat and securing two titles in the Evita Tournament. Among his footballing idols were Rivellino and George Best.

**Argentinos Juniors (1976–1981):**  

Maradona made his debut at the age of 15, quickly demonstrating his exceptional skills with a memorable nutmeg during his inaugural match. He netted 116 goals in 166 appearances and emerged as the top scorer in four consecutive tournaments before making a transfer.

**Boca Juniors (1981–1982, 1995–1997):**  

He joined Boca Juniors in 1981 and secured the Metropolitano title in the same year. Despite facing challenges with the coach, he left a significant mark, particularly with a goal in a 3–0 victory against River Plate. He returned for a final period from 1995 to 1997.

**Barcelona (1982–1984):**  

Following the 1982 World Cup, he transferred for a record-breaking fee. During his time at Barcelona, he won the Copa del Rey and the Copa de la Liga. However, his tenure was plagued by health issues, injuries, and a notorious altercation on the field in 1984 that resulted in his departure.

**Napoli (1984–1991):**  

This period marked the pinnacle of his career. He guided Napoli to their first Serie A championship in 1987, followed by another title in 1990, and a UEFA Cup victory in 1989. He became a beloved figure in the city, although he faced challenges with substance abuse and off-field controversies. After his passing, the club retired his No. 10 jersey.

**Late Career (1992–1997):**  

Following a suspension due to drug use, he had a brief stint with Sevilla, played for Newell’s Old Boys, and returned to Boca Juniors. He also participated in friendly matches for Tottenham, Toronto Italia, and Bayern Munich.

International Career of Diego Maradona (1977–1994)

Diego Maradona made his debut for the Argentina national team at the age of 16 in 1977. Although he was not selected for the 1978 World Cup due to his youth, he excelled at the 1979 FIFA World Youth Championship, where he netted six goals and guided Argentina to victory. That same year, he scored his inaugural senior goal and participated in the Copa América.

**1982 World Cup** (Spain):  

Maradona featured in all five matches, scoring two goals. Unfortunately, Argentina was eliminated in the second round, and he faced significant fouling, culminating in his dismissal during the final match against Brazil.

**1986 World Cup** (Mexico):  

As the captain and standout player of the tournament, Maradona propelled Argentina to triumph, scoring five goals and providing five assists. He famously scored the "Hand of God" goal and the "Goal of the Century" against England. His exceptional performance earned him the Golden Ball as the tournament's best player, solidifying his legacy as one of the greatest individual performers in World Cup history.

**1987 & 1989 Copa América**:  

In the 1987 tournament, Maradona scored three goals, while in 1989, he participated in six matches without finding the net. Argentina secured third place in both competitions.

**1990 World Cup** (Italy):  

Despite battling an injury, Maradona once again led Argentina to the final. He assisted the decisive goal against Brazil and successfully converted a penalty in the semi-final shootout. However, Argentina fell to West Germany 1–0 in the final, following a contentious late penalty decision.

1993 Artemio Franchi Cup  

On February 24, 1993, Diego Maradona made his return to the national team as Argentina triumphed over Denmark in the Artemio Franchi Cup, winning 5–4 in a penalty shootout following a 1–1 draw.

1994 World Cup  

During the 1994 World Cup, Maradona participated in two matches, scoring a goal against Greece before being disqualified due to ephedrine doping. He asserted that the prohibited substance originated from a U.S. version of an energy drink. His final appearance for Argentina was a 2–1 victory against Nigeria, where he provided assists for both goals. Following his departure, Argentina was eliminated in the round of 16 by Romania. His international career concluded with 91 appearances and 34 goals over a span of 17 years.

Personal Life and Family:  

Diego Maradona was born into a Roman Catholic family and later reaffirmed his faith, even gifting a signed jersey to Pope Francis. He wed Claudia Villafañe in 1989, and together they had two daughters, Dalma and Gianinna. Their marriage ended in divorce in 2004, yet they maintained an amicable relationship. Additionally, he fathered Diego Sinagra, who is legally recognized in Italy. Maradona shared a strong connection with his family and grieved the passing of his mother in 2011 and his father in 2015. He was involved in a tumultuous relationship with Rocío Oliva from 2014 until their separation in 2018.

Health and Addiction:  

Maradona struggled with cocaine addiction from the 1980s until 2004, alongside issues with alcoholism and obesity. In 2005, he underwent gastric bypass surgery and faced multiple hospitalizations due to various health concerns over the years. His unpredictable behavior, particularly during the 2018 World Cup, frequently attracted media attention.

Political Views:  

An outspoken leftist, Maradona expressed support for leaders such as Fidel Castro, Hugo Chávez, Evo Morales, and Vladimir Putin. He was critical of U.S. policies, especially during George W. Bush's administration, although he later expressed admiration for Barack Obama. He also voiced disapproval of Donald Trump. Maradona was a proponent of Palestine and actively engaged in Latin American politics, even campaigning for Nicolás Maduro in Venezuela.

Tax Issues:  

In 2009, it was reported that Maradona owed €37 million in back taxes to Italy. In January 2024, he was posthumously exonerated of these charges by the Supreme Court of Cassation.

Death:

On November 2, 2020, Diego Maradona was admitted to a hospital in La Plata, where he underwent emergency brain surgery the following day to address a subdural hematoma. He was discharged on November 12 but tragically passed away from cardiac arrest in his sleep on November 25 at the age of 60. His coffin was displayed at the Casa Rosada, adorned with the flag of Argentina and jerseys from his prominent teams. Following a public wake that drew thousands of mourners, he was laid to rest on November 26 at the Jardín de Bella Vista cemetery, next to his parents.