Diego Armando Maradona Franco, an Argentine professional football player and manager, is widely regarded as one of the greatest footballers of all time. Born on October 30, 1960, in Lanús, Buenos Aires, Argentina, Maradona's career was marked by incredible skill, leadership, and controversy. Here is a timeline of his life and career, highlighting significant events and milestones.
Main Milestones
Birth
October 30, 1960
Diego Armando Maradona was born at the Policlínico Evita Hospital in Lanús, Buenos Aires Province, Argentina.
Early Football Career
1968-1969
Maradona joined Estrella Roja, a local football club, and later moved to Los Cebollitas (The Little Onions), a boys' team that won 136 consecutive games and a national championship.
Professional Debut
1976
At age 15, Maradona made his first-division debut with Argentinos Juniors, and four months later, he became the youngest Argentine to play for the national team.
Boca Juniors
1981
Maradona moved to Boca Juniors and helped the team win the championship, further establishing his reputation as a top player.
FC Barcelona
1982-1984
Maradona played for FC Barcelona, winning the Spanish Cup in 1983, but faced challenges and was eventually sold to Napoli in Italy.
Napoli
1984-1991
Maradona led Napoli to unprecedented success, winning the league title and cup in 1987 and the league title again in 1990, becoming a hero to the fans in southern Italy.
World Cup Victory
1986
Maradona starred in the 1986 World Cup, scoring the infamous 'Hand of God' goal and another goal in a 2-1 quarterfinal victory over England, leading Argentina to win the tournament.
Drug Suspension
1991
Maradona was banned from playing football for 15 months due to cocaine possession, marking a significant downturn in his career.
World Cup and Retirement
1994
Maradona played in the 1994 World Cup but was sent home after testing positive for ephedrine. He continued to play for various clubs before retiring in 1997.
Coaching Career
2008-2010
Maradona served as the head coach of the Argentine national team, later coaching Al Wasl in the United Arab Emirates and other clubs.
Death
November 25, 2020
Diego Maradona passed away at the age of 60 in Tigre, Buenos Aires, leaving behind a legacy as one of the greatest footballers of all time.
