Diego Maradona, the football legend

Maradona is regarded as one of the greatest player in the history of soccer. He was named by FIFA as one of the greatest players in soccer history, alongside with Brazil’s Pele in 2001.

His full name is Diego Armando Maradona. He was born on October 30th 1960 in Lanus outside Buenos Aires in Argentina. He has 2 daughters, Dalma and Giannina.

Maradona started playing soccer when he was a young boy and joined the Argentinos Juniors. At the age of 16, he was Argentina’s youngest-ever when he played against Hungary. Two years later he captained the World Youth Cup winners and was soon transferred to Boca Juniors. The success continued and he was voted as South American Player Of The Year in 1979 and 1980. 

He became famous after leading Argentina into World Cup Final in 1986 whereby Argentina beat England 2-1. He later battled cocaine addiction and obesity. He was banned from sports for 12 months after testing positive for cocoaine in 1991. Then he was banned for 15 months during 1994 World Cup for ephedrine and another positive for drugs in 1997.

In 2000, he suffered severe heart attack from cocaine overdose. In 2004, he had another heart attack. One year later, Maradona underwent a gastric bypass surgery in Colombia and soon after sported a thinner look.

At present, Maradona looks more like an average fat guy than a World Cup athlete. Diego Maradona has put on weight and may take a “vacation” in Switzerland to help shed the extra kilos. His doctor said a trip to Switzerland would do him good by removing him from the many social commitments in his home country.

A documentary on the Argentinean soccer star Diego Maradona, regarded by many as the world’s greatest modern player is being produced at the moment. It is directed by Emir Kusturica and is expected to be released on 4 May 2007 in Italy.

Maradona in action