Diego Maradona

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.

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.

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.

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.