Diego Maradona - Footballer, Family and Childhood
Diego Maradona's Personal Details
Diego Maradona is one of the greatest soccer players that the world has witnessed
Information | Detail |
---|---|
Birthday | October 30, 1960 |
Nationality | Argentinian |
Famous | Hispanic Athletes, Hispanic Soccer Players, Left Handed, Sportspersons, Football Players, Footballer |
Nick names | D10s |
Spouses | Claudia Villafañe (m. 1984–2004) |
Siblings | Hugo Maradona, Raúl (Lalo) |
Known as | Diego Armando Maradona Franco |
Childrens | Giannina Maradona |
Birth Place | Lanús, Argentina |
Height | 165 |
Gender | Male |
Father | ‘Chitoro’ Diego Maradona |
Mother | ‘Doña Tota’ Dalma Salvadora Franco |
Net Worth | $1 Million as of January 4,2017 |
Sun Sign | Scorpio |
Born in | Lanús, Argentina |
Famous as | Argentine footballer |
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Diego Maradona's photo
Who is Diego Maradona?
Excellent dribbling action, powerful assists, accurate passes and impressive footwork made Diego Mardona rise up to the ranks, within a short period, to become the greatest football player of all times. Argentina’s national hero and pride, this exceptionally talented young man was born to play the sport. As such, despite coming from a humble background with lack of financial stability, he made his way to the football field at the age of ten and made his professional debut by 16. His compact physique and great physical strength gave him the edge over other players and helped him achieve the pinnacle of success. In a career spanning over 21 years, he rose from being an inexperienced club player to the most coveted soccer player. He scored 34 goals in 91 international appearances. It was through his sheer display of brilliance on the field that he was awarded FIFA Player of the 20th Century award. He is the only player to appear sixteen times as the captain of a World Cup team, which in itself is a World Cup record. To know more about his life, playing career and timeline, read on.
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Childhood & Early Life
Diego Maradona was to 'Chitoro' Diego Maradona and ‘Doa Tota’ Dalma Salvadora Franco. He has three elder sisters and two younger brothers. His family was a close knit one but suffered from poor financial condition.
He took to playing soccer from a very tender age. His phenomenal talent soon caught the attention of a talent scout who inducted him in Los Cebollitas, the junior team of Buenos Aires's Argentinos Juniors.
He led Los Cebollitas to a 136-unbeaten streak, displaying his prodigious capability and talent.
Career
In 1976, a little before his sixteenth birthday, he made his professional debut with Argentinos Juniors. In his five years of association with the club team, he made 167 appearances and scored 115 goals.
His proper international debut came on February 27, 1977 against Hungary.
His first senior goal came in a match against Scotland at Hampden Park on June 2, 1979. Argentina won the match by 3-1.
In 1979, he played for Argentina in the FIFA U-20 World Cup and helped the team won the tournament. He was the star of the tournament and won the Golden Ball award as the tournament's best player.
In 1981, he was transferred to Boca Juniors for 1m. It was while playing for the club team that he secured his first league championship medal.
In 1982, he played his first World Cup tournament. Despite being defending champions, Argentina did not perform to expectations and were ousted by the tournament in the second round, losing to Brazil and eventual winners, Italy.
Following the loss at the World Cup, he was transferred to FC Barcelona in Spain for a world record fee of 5m. Though he went on to win the Copa del Rey and Spanish Super Cup for the club, throughout his tenure, he suffered from ill-heath and injury.
In his two seasons with Barcelona, he scored 38 goals in 58 games. However, dispute with the club president and team director led to his transfer to Napoli in Italy's Serie A for another world record fee, 6.9m.
His association with Napoli was the most fruitful of all and brought successful results for both himself and the club. Not only did he reach the pinnacle of his career, but assisted the club to enjoy immense success and victory.
He led the club to win the Serie A Italian Championships twice in 1986-87 and 1989-90. Additionally, Napoli efficaciously attained the Coppa Italia in 1987, the UEFA Cup in 1989 and the Italian Supercup in 1990. In the 1987-88 and 1988-89 Serie A Italian Championships, the club was placed in the second position with him being the top scorer in 1987-88.
Meanwhile, at the 1986 FIFA World Cup, he led Argentina to victory. Throughout the tournament, he led his team from the front and asserted his dominance in every game. He scored 5 goals and made 5 assists and played a crucial role in the quarter-finals, semi-finals and finals against England, Belgium and West Germany Respectively.
In the 1990 FIFA World Cup, he continued his role as a captain of the Argentina team, with the only difference being he was less dominant. He led his team to a World Cup final against West Germany but unlike 1986, he could not replicate the success as his team lost by 1–0. This marked the steep decline of the once-flourishing career.
In 1991, he received a 15-month suspension after testing positive for using cocaine.
In 1992, he left Napoli to join Sevilla of Spain, where he played for a year. Following year he played for Newell's Old Boys.
In the 1994 FIFA World Cup, he played just two games scoring one goal before being ousted for failing an ephedrine drug test. This also marked an end to his international career which spanned for 17 years. In the 91 games that he played, he scored 34 goals.
In 1995, he returned to Boca Juniors and played with the club for two years, before announcing his retirement in 1997 on the eve of his birthday.
In 2008, he was appointed as the head coach of the Argentina national team, a position he served for eighteen months until 2010 World Cup.
He joined Argentine Primera D club Deportivo Riestra in 2013 as its ‘spiritual coach’.
Awards & Achievements
He won the Golden Ball award at the 1986 FIFA World Cup.
In 1999, he was bestowed with the Diamond Konex Award, which was one of the most prestigious culture awards in Argentina from Konex Foundation, Argentina, for being the ultimate sportstar of the decade.
He was adjudged ‘FIFA Player of the Century’ award in 2000, along with Pele. He acquired the majority of the votes at 53.6% against Pele's 18.53%. However, the latter was voted by the ‘Football Family’ committee.
His second goal against England in the quarter final match during the 1986 World Cup was voted as the ‘Best Goal Ever Scored in World Cup’ in 2002 FIFA poll. Following year, the Argentinos Juniors named its stadium after him.
In 2010, the Times chose him as the Greatest 10 World Cup Players of all times.
Personal Life & Legacy
He walked the aisle with his long time sweetheart Claudia Villafane on November 7, 1984. The couple was blessed with two daughters, Dalma Nerea and Giannina Dinorah. The couple divorced in 2004. During the proceedings, he confirmed having an illegitimate son, Diego Sinagra, who presently is a footballer in Italy.
He was blessed with another son, Diego Fernando, in 2013 from his ex-long term partner Veronica Ojeda.
From 1980s until 2004, he remained a drug addict, which negatively affected his health and performance. Though he relocated to Cuba and tried following a drug rehab plan, things did not seem to better as he suffered a major myocardial infarction following a cocaine overdose in 2004.
Trivia
This prodigious Argentina football player has a portrait of Fidel Castro tattooed on his left leg, while that of Che Guevara on his right arm.
He is the only player to win the Golden Ball at both the FIFA U-20 World Cup and FIFA World Cup, in 1979 and 1986, respectively.
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Diego Maradona's awards
Year | Name | Award |
---|---|---|
Other | ||
1986 | Olimpia de Oro | |
1979 | South American Footballer of the Year | |
1980 | South American Footballer of the Year | |
1979 | Footballer of the Year of Argentina | |
1980 | Footballer of the Year of Argentina | |
1981 | Footballer of the Year of Argentina | |
1986 | Footballer of the Year of Argentina | |
1979 | FIFA U-20 World Cup Golden Ball | |
1986 | World Soccer Player of the Year | |
1986 | FIFA World Cup Winning Captain | |
1986 | FIFA World Cup Golden Ball | |
1986 | FIFA World Cup Team of the Tournament (Midfielders) | |
1990 | FIFA World Cup Team of the Tournament (Midfielders) | |
1988 | Serie A top scorers | |
1978 | Primera División top scorers | |
1978 | Primera División top scorers | |
1979 | Primera División top scorers | |
1980 | Primera División top scorers | |
1981 | Primera División top scorers | |
1979 | Argentina squad FIFA World Youth Championship Winners (1st Title) | |
1986 | Argentina squad FIFA World Cup Winners (2nd Title) | |
1987 | Argentina squad Copa América Fourth Place | |
1989 | Argentina squad Copa América Third Place | |
1990 | Argentina squad FIFA World Cup Runners-up | |
1994 | Argentina squad FIFA World Cup | |
2010 | Argentina squad FIFA World Cup | |
0 | - FIFA 100 (CONMEBOL) | |
0 | - World Team of the 20th Century (Forwards) | |
0 | 1986 - FIFA World Cup Silver Boot | |
0 | 1990 - FIFA World Cup Bronze Ball | |
0 | 1986 - United Press International Athlete of the Year |
Diego Maradona biography timelines
- // 30th Oct 1960Diego Maradona was to 'Chitoro' Diego Maradona and ‘Doa Tota’ Dalma Salvadora Franco. He has three elder sisters and two younger brothers. His family was a close knit one but suffered from poor financial condition.
- // 1976In 1976, a little before his sixteenth birthday, he made his professional debut with Argentinos Juniors. In his five years of association with the club team, he made 167 appearances and scored 115 goals.
- // 1979In 1979, he played for Argentina in the FIFA U-20 World Cup and helped the team won the tournament. He was the star of the tournament and won the Golden Ball award as the tournament's best player.
- // 1979His first senior goal came in a match against Scotland at Hampden Park on June 2, 1979. Argentina won the match by 3-1.
- // 1981In 1981, he was transferred to Boca Juniors for 1m. It was while playing for the club team that he secured his first league championship medal.
- // 1982In 1982, he played his first World Cup tournament. Despite being defending champions, Argentina did not perform to expectations and were ousted by the tournament in the second round, losing to Brazil and eventual winners, Italy.
- // 1984 To 2004He walked the aisle with his long time sweetheart Claudia Villafane on November 7, 1984. The couple was blessed with two daughters, Dalma Nerea and Giannina Dinorah. The couple divorced in 2004. During the proceedings, he confirmed having an illegitimate son, Diego Sinagra, who presently is a footballer in Italy.
- // 1986Meanwhile, at the 1986 FIFA World Cup, he led Argentina to victory. Throughout the tournament, he led his team from the front and asserted his dominance in every game. He scored 5 goals and made 5 assists and played a crucial role in the quarter-finals, semi-finals and finals against England, Belgium and West Germany Respectively.
- // 1986He won the Golden Ball award at the 1986 FIFA World Cup.
- // 1990In the 1990 FIFA World Cup, he continued his role as a captain of the Argentina team, with the only difference being he was less dominant. He led his team to a World Cup final against West Germany but unlike 1986, he could not replicate the success as his team lost by 1–0. This marked the steep decline of the once-flourishing career.
- // 1991In 1991, he received a 15-month suspension after testing positive for using cocaine.
- // 1992In 1992, he left Napoli to join Sevilla of Spain, where he played for a year. Following year he played for Newell's Old Boys.
- // 1994In the 1994 FIFA World Cup, he played just two games scoring one goal before being ousted for failing an ephedrine drug test. This also marked an end to his international career which spanned for 17 years. In the 91 games that he played, he scored 34 goals.
- // 1995In 1995, he returned to Boca Juniors and played with the club for two years, before announcing his retirement in 1997 on the eve of his birthday.
- // 1999In 1999, he was bestowed with the Diamond Konex Award, which was one of the most prestigious culture awards in Argentina from Konex Foundation, Argentina, for being the ultimate sportstar of the decade.
- // 2000He was adjudged ‘FIFA Player of the Century’ award in 2000, along with Pele. He acquired the majority of the votes at 53.6% against Pele's 18.53%. However, the latter was voted by the ‘Football Family’ committee.
- // 2008 To 2010In 2008, he was appointed as the head coach of the Argentina national team, a position he served for eighteen months until 2010 World Cup.
- // 2010In 2010, the Times chose him as the Greatest 10 World Cup Players of all times.
- // 2013He joined Argentine Primera D club Deportivo Riestra in 2013 as its ‘spiritual coach’.
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Diego Maradona's FAQ
What is Diego Maradona birthday?
Diego Maradona was born at 1960-10-30
Where is Diego Maradona's birth place?
Diego Maradona was born in Lanús, Argentina
What is Diego Maradona nationalities?
Diego Maradona's nationalities is Argentinian
What is Diego Maradona nick names?
Diego Maradona's nickNames is D10s
Who is Diego Maradona spouses?
Diego Maradona's spouses is Claudia Villafañe (m. 1984–2004)
Who is Diego Maradona siblings?
Diego Maradona's siblings is Hugo Maradona, Raúl (Lalo)
Who is Diego Maradona childrens?
Diego Maradona's childrens is Giannina Maradona
How tall is Diego Maradona?
Diego Maradona's height is 165
Who is Diego Maradona's father?
Diego Maradona's father is ‘Chitoro’ Diego Maradona
Who is Diego Maradona's mother?
Diego Maradona's mother is ‘Doña Tota’ Dalma Salvadora Franco
What is Diego Maradona's sun sign?
Diego Maradona is Scorpio
How famous is Diego Maradona?
Diego Maradona is famouse as Argentine footballer