Diego Armando Maradona died on Wednesday, November 25, 2020, after suffering a cardiac arrest.
He was reportedly undergoing rehabilitation after undergoing surgery to remove blood clots from his brain some weeks ago.
Diego Maradona’s Life In 10 Key Dates
From his birth in 1960 to Argentina’s World Cup triumph in 1986 and his positive drug test at the 1994 finals — here are 10 key dates in the colourful life of Diego Maradona, who died on Wednesday aged 60:
– October 30, 1960 –
Maradona is born in Lanus, to the south of Buenos Aires.
The son of Diego Maradona and Delma Franco, he is one of seven children.
– October 20, 1976 –
Makes his debut in Argentina’s top flight for Buenos Aires side Argentinos Juniors, just before his 16th birthday.
He went on to win his first cap for Argentina in February 1977, selected by coach Cesar Luis Menotti for a 5-1 win against Hungary.
His first goal for Argentina came in a 3-1 win over Scotland at Hampden Park in Glasgow in 1979.
– September 7, 1979 –
Wins the World Youth Championship, scoring the third goal as Argentina beat the Soviet Union 3-1 in the final in Tokyo.
– June 13, 1982 –
Now a Boca Juniors player, Maradona takes part in a World Cup match for the first time as the holders lose 1-0 to Belgium in the opening game at the tournament in Spain.
After the tournament he joined Barcelona and two years later he signed for Napoli for a world-record fee at the time.
– June 22, 1986 –
Scores his two legendary goals against England in the World Cup quarter-final in Mexico, the “Hand of God” and then his stunning high-speed slalom that was later named “Goal of the Century” by FIFA.
Argentina went on to win the trophy, beating West Germany 3-2 in the final.
– July 8, 1990 –
Captains Argentina to a 1-0 defeat against West Germany in the World Cup final in Rome.
– June 25, 1994 –
Skippers Argentina to a 2-1 win over Nigeria at the World Cup in the United States.
After the match, he tests positive for ephedrine and is suspended for 15 months.
He had already been suspended for 15 months for cocaine use in his Napoli days.
Maradona retired from playing in 1997 and continued to struggle with drug and wider health problems.
He underwent gastric bypass surgery in Colombia in 2005.
– November 4, 2008 –
Becomes coach of Argentina, leading them to the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.
Eliminated in the quarter-finals by Germany, he departs after the tournament.
– November 3, 2020 –
Four days after his 60th birthday, Maradona undergoes brain surgery on a blood clot.
– November 25, 2020 –
Dies of a heart attack at home in the Buenos Aires suburbs as he recovers from brain surgery.
Below are some of his best quotes:
I am Maradona, who makes goals, who makes mistakes. I can take it all, I have shoulders big enough to fight with everybody.
There would be no debate about who was the best footballer the world had ever seen – me or Pele. Everyone would say me.
Everybody in Argentina can remember ‘the hand of God’ in the England match in the 1986 World Cup. Now, in my country, the ‘hand of God’ has brought us an Argentinian pope.
God makes me play well. That is why I always make the sign of a cross when I walk out on to the pitch. I feel I would be betraying him if I didn’t.
In the end, it is about whether God wants us to be in the final, but I know that is what God wants. This time we will not need the Hand of God, because it is the will of God.
When God decides its time, I guess he’ll come for us.
If I could apologise and go back and change history I would do. But the goal is still a goal, Argentina became world champions and I was the best player in the world.
When I wear the national team shirt, its sole contact with my skin makes it stand on an end.
Beckham is a nice man and I’m sure he will reach 100 appearances for England. But he is just a good player, nothing more.
While the coach is entitled to celebrate the team’s victories, there is a manner and a way of doing so without aggravating the opponent.
Messi scores a goal and celebrates. Cristiano scores a goal and poses like he’s in a shampoo commercial.
What I love most about Norway is you ladies. Back home I’m used to fat and hairy women journalists.
I was, I am and I always will be a drug addict. A person who gets involved in drugs has to fight it everyday.
I was waiting for my teammates to embrace me and no one came, … I told them, ‘Come hug me or the referee isn’t going to allow it.’
My legitimate kids are Dalma and Giannina. The rest are a product of my money and mistakes.
I hate everything that comes from the United States. I hate it with all my strength.
