Friday, September 5, 2008

Diego Maradona Biography

DIEGO MARADONA BIOGRAPHY
Born: 30 October 1960
Birthplace: Villa Fiorito, Argentina
Best Known As: The hero of Argentina's 1986 World Cup win
Diego Maradona is the Babe Ruth of Argentinian soccer, a stocky, charming and hard-partying star who dominated his country's favorite sport. Maradona is best remembered for helping Argentina win the 1986 World Cup with two goals in a quarterfinal match against England; on the first he punched the ball in with his hand, a sneaky maneuver that went unseen by the referee. (Maradona wryly credited the goal to "a little bit of Maradona's head, a little bit of the hand of God.") Maradona was a goal-scoring midfielder for Argentina in four World Cups (1982, 1986, 1990 and 1994) and played professionally for more than two decades. Among his many pro clubs were FC Barcelona (1982-84) and SSC Napoli (1984-91). His career included plenty of controversy: he was suspended for 15 months in 1991 after testing postiive for cocaine, suspended again in 1994 after failing another drug test, and ran up an unpaid income tax bill in Italy that eventually exceeded 30 million Euros. Photos of Maradona looking bloated and decidedly unathletic were commonplace in the 1990s, and he survived a heart attack in 2004, but he never quite lost the public's affection. In 2005 he began hosting his own television show in Argentina titled La Noche del Diez, or "The Night of the Number Ten."
Villa Fiorito, Maradona's hometown, is a slum on the outskirts of Buenos Aires. Some sources list his birthplace as Lanus, but the biography on his official site names Villa Fiorito... Maradona had his stomach stapled in a weight-loss operation in 2005... Lionel Messi, an Argetine soccer star of the 21st century, has often been compared with the young Maradona.
Actor: Diego Armando Maradona
  • Born: Oct 30, 1960
  • Occupation: Actor
  • Active: '90s-2000s
  • Major Genres: Sports & Recreation, Comedy
Biography
Legendary soccer player who had a small role in the film Tifosi. ~ All Movie Guide
Diego Maradona
Diego Maradona (born 1961) is an icon in Argentina, much like Evita Peron. As a soccer player, he took his team to new heights and became a hero to sports fans - many of whom referred to him as "San Diego." He also took sports paychecks to new heights, claiming unheard of salaries in trade after trade. Maradona was plagued by cocaine addiction, though, and his career came to an early end.
At the age of 25, Diego Maradona was the central figure of the 1986 World Cup challenge. The short, stocky midfielder scored two goals against the English. The first was cause for great debate, as he had hit the ball with his hand, an illegal move. Maradona had shrugged it off, saying, "from the hand of God to the head of Maradona." He apologized four years later on Italian television as reported in the Chicago Tribune, "It was my hand, not His. I don't want anyone to think God robbed someone, rather it was Maradona who did the robbing."
The second goal, however, guaranteed him a place in soccer history. Having controlled the ball for over half the field, guarding it from the English midfield and defense, he slid the ball off his left leg into the net, faking out goal tender Peter Shilton. Argentina's coach, Carlos Bilardo, told the press, "It is the second time in my life I have celebrated a goal with a scream. It was spectacular."
The 1986 World Cup was a triumph for Argentina and made Maradona the most famous soccer player since Pele. He was even named "athlete of the decade" by the British. His career would have many more highs and lows in the years to come.
As Phil Hersh wrote in 1990 in the Chicago Tribune, "One thing is sure: The goal against England still counted, and so did everything that followed, including uncounted riches, two paternity suits (one dismissed, one still pending), a second apotheosis, two children out of wedlock with his future bride, allegations of involvement with the Neapolitan mob, a wedding feast of wretched excess, and selection as athlete of the decade by the British, whom he quite possibly had cheated out of the World Cup title."
Little Onions
Diego Armando Maradona was born on October 30, 1961 in Villa Fiorito, Argentina. During his childhood in the slums of Villa Fiorito outside Buenos Aires, Maradona dreamed of becoming a great soccer player. His family was poor. His father, a bricklayer and factory worker, struggled to provide for three boys, five girls, and his stay-at-home wife. Poverty was not a deterrent to success, however. Maradona was given his first soccer ball by his cousin, Beto Zarate, on his third birthday. Young Diego slept with the ball that night. By the age of nine, he had learned to play soccer, and came to the attention of Francis Cornejo, coach of the Cebollitas or Little Onions - the youth team of Argentinos Jrs. While he was with the Little Onions, they won 140 straight games. In 1972, he led Los Cebollitas to a junior championship. The team gave him a high compliment - jersey number 10 - the same number worn by the legendary soccer star, Pele. From 1976 to 1980, the teenage Maradona played for Argentinos Juniors. Before the end of the first season, the team became Maradona's team, and the stadiums were always full. The Argentinos Juniors were winning against the best teams, and his future looked limitless.
Maradona's first major disappointment was that he had been cut from Argentina's 1978 World Cup championship team by coach Cesar Menotti. In 1982, Maradona got his chance to play in World Cup competition, but was ejected from the game for kicking a Brazilian player in the groin.
Junior World Cup Championship
Maradona became a national sports star playing for Argentina's Boca Juniors at the age of 16. He was the youngest player ever to join the national team. In 1979, Maradona was named South American Player of the Year after he led Argentina to the Junior World Cup. His name made international headlines again in 1982 when he was sold to Barcelona, in the Spanish League, for the then unheard of $7.7 million. He was only 21 years old.
Though the Spanish found Maradona's ego abrasive, they forgave him when Barcelona won Spain's championship. In 1984, he was sold to Naples, in the Italian League, for a record $12 million. Fans in Naples called him "San Diego." While his name became well known after his World Cup win for Argentina, Maradona soon proved his value to Naples as well. In 1987, he helped the previously 12th-placed Naples team to win the Italian League crown. The team won again in 1990. These were the first two league titles to be won by the Naples team since it was founded in 1926. He also led Naples to victory in the European Soccer Union Cup competition in 1989.
Off the field, Maradona's behavior spiced up the headlines. Throughout June 1989, there were rumors that he would be sold to Marseille in the French League for over $15 million. While Maradona denied the rumors to the press, soccer fans in Naples reacted negatively. He responded by calling them cretins. In August, Maradona failed to attend training camp, claiming that the Neapolitan Mafia was threatening him and his family. He was fined for missing nearly a month of training. In October, an argument with a referee during the Rome-Naples match cost him $7,000.
In 1989, Maradona married Claudia Villafane, his childhood sweetheart and the mother of his two daughters. The wedding was a major event, costing around $3 million. There were 1,200 guests in attendance at the Buenos Aires nuptials. An 80-piece tango orchestra entertained the crowd. The bride and groom rode in a Rolls-Royce Phantom III, rumored to have been owned by Nazi Joseph Goebbels. Ninety-nine gold rings were hidden in the wedding cake.
The Unraveling of a Hero
In June 1990, Maradona represented Argentina in World Cup competition. He played badly in the semi-finals, missing penalty kicks he should not have missed. Despite Maradona's poor performance, Argentina was still able to claim a victory, winning 3-2 over Yugoslavia.
The following year, Maradona's personal life began to affect his game. He gained weight and argued with officials. In 1991, he was banned from soccer following a March 17th test showed traces of cocaine. Maradona voluntarily started a drug treatment program after his suspension. When faced with a $35,000 fee for the service, he balked. On July 8, 1992, he was quoted in the Dallas Morning News: "They're ripping me off just because I'm Maradona."
In 1992, the San Diego Sockers of the indoor Major Soccer League courted Maradona. However, he was not allowed to play unless the Sockers purchased his contract (valid through 1993) from Naples. A further obstacle was that Maradona had announced that he would be retiring from soccer. The talks never came to fruition.
Maradona's 15-month suspension for drug possession ended on July 1, 1992. He had decided not to return to Naples to honor the last year of his contract. He emerged from the ordeal 20 pounds overweught, with charges of cocaine possession in Argentina and a paternity suit in Italy. An Italian court ruled that Maradona had to support Cristina Sinagra and her then six-year-old son, Diego Armando.
Maradona was released from his contract with Naples by the International Soccer Federation. "He is a player who has finished his suspension," a Federation director told the press. "He's rehabilitated to play professional soccer. We don't have anything against him. On the contrary, we're very happy" ( Dallas Morning News, July 1992).
Maradona tried to rebound in 1992, signing a deal with Seville in the Spanish League. The association was short-lived due to disagreements between Maradona and the club's management, which included manager Carlos Bilardo, who had led the Argentines to the World Cup championships of 1986 and 1990. Maradona was expelled from Seville on June 29, 1993 and returned to Argentina. There, he joined an underdog team called Newell's Old Boys from Rosario for one year. His salary was $25,000 a month. On the night of his first game with the team, he stepped onto the field holding the hands of his daughters, Dalma and Giannina. Maradona had chosen to play with the team because he was impressed with its coach, Jorge Solari. Richard Williams quoted Maradona's reasoning for joining the team in The Age on October 11, 1993. "I knew him before, of course, but this time we really got talking," Maradona explained. "He filled my head with football. We talked for two hours. About players, and tactics. That convinced me."
In 1994, it became apparent that Maradona had not given up his self-destructive habits. On February 2nd of that year, he fired a pellet gun at reporters camped outside his home in Buenos Aires. Five days later, Maradona and six members of his entourage allegedly assaulted a photographer. He was being tried in absentia on Italian drug charges. Despite this distraction, Maradona participated in his fourth World Cup competition. Coach, Alfio Basile was forced by public demand - as well as by request by President Carlos Menem - to bring Maradona back to help Argentina in the World Cup playoffs.
Maradona's team overcame the Australians in a two-game playoff to reach the World Cup finals. He gave Cuban president Fidel Castro the jersey he wore in the second match. Maradona made his 1994 World Cup debut against Greece in mid-June. By the end of June, he was suspended when a random drug test revealed that Maradona had used five types of ephedrine, a banned stimulant. The Argentine team had to complete the World Cup series without their star player, who denied having used the drug to enhance his game. As more facts became known, blame was directed toward Maradona's doctor, Daniel Cerrini. The 26-year-old doctor had prescribed medications for relief of allergy and nasal congestion, including a nasal spray that contained ephedrine. Cerrini, who had been dismissed from Maradona's entourage previously, was suspected of having prescribed the drug intentionally. On July 3, 1994, a Buenos Aires doctor, Nestor Lentini told the Sunday Telegraph (London), "the forbidden substance was provided by a dietician and physiculturist. Diego took that medicine without knowing what was in it. He is no longer on drugs."
During the 15-month suspension which followed, Maradona tried his hand at coaching. He was not successful. First at Deportivo Mandiyu, where he lasted two months, and later at the Racing Club, he proved that he was better at throwing parties and brawling. By April 1995, his attempts at coaching were finished. In June 1995, the Boca Juniors offered him a two-and-a-half year contract.
Return to the Boca Juniors
Maradona attempted to make a comeback in October 1995, playing with Argentina's Boca Juniors against South Korea in the Olympic Stadium in Seoul. Being older and slower, Maradona was easily out-performed by his team-mates, taking only one shot on goal. Still, he retained his usual swagger with the press. "Personally I was satisfied with my game," he told Kate Battersby at the Sunday Telegraph (London). "But we didn't play well as a team. My heart was full when I heard the national anthem. And the crowd was good to me. Until these things die, I will keep playing football. I have made a lot of comebacks but I'm very happy with this one. It is good to play for Boca again."
Maradona had been persuaded to make his comeback by KBS television, in order to promote South Korea's bid for the 2002 World Cup games. The television station offered him $1.75 million for televised interviews and public appearances. Maradona embarrassed the South Koreans, however, by showing up late for scheduled appearances or missing them altogether. He missed his plane and arrived late to a welcoming ceremony and news conference. Maradona did not show up for a promised coaching session at an amusement park, leaving nearly 1,000 children and parents waiting for over two hours. He failed to make an expected appearance at a Hyundai auto manufacturing plant.
The week following his South Korean trip, Maradona and the Boca Juniors scored a 1-0 victory against Colon de Santa Fe in Buenos Aires. He was chosen by lottery to undergo another drug test following the game. Maradona tested positive for cocaine, and was suspended a third time.
A Short-lived Comeback
Maradona returned to the field with the Boca Juniors in July 1997. Boca played Racing Club in front of a near capacity crowd. A calf-muscle strain had the 36-year-old Maradona leaving the field twice during the game. While a rigorous training program had left him in top physical shape, there were serious doubts about his overall health. One doctor speculated that Maradona had sustained permanent brain damage from cocaine abuse.
On October 29, 1997, Maradona announced his retirement from the balcony of his home in Buenos Aires. He claimed that powerful people were trying to frame him for drug use in order to make him leave the game. He was quitting to protect himself and his family. Argentine sports journalist Pablo Llonto told the international press that Maradona would have been left alone to play out his career had he not been so outspoken. Indeed, he remained outspoken to the last, listing the names of the people he held responsible for encouraging the early end of his career.
Maradona made headlines in January 2000, when his cocaine addiction had caused heart problems. Police Chief Maximo Costa Rocha of the province of Maldonado confirmed reports that cocaine had been found in the former soccer champion's Bloodstream, indicating excessive consumption. The 39-year-old Maradona was transferred from Uruguay to Cuba on January 18 for treatment, including drug rehabilitation.
Further Reading
The Age, October 11, 1993.
Agence France-Presse, August 29, 1997.
Arizona Republic, July 1, 1990.
Associated Press Newswires, February 6, 2000.
Atlanta Constitution, May 15, 1994.
Austin American-Statesman, June 3, 1990.
Baltimore Sun, September 18, 1991.
Boston Globe, June 26, 1994.
Chicago Tribune, November 9, 1989; May 29, 1990; June 15, 1994.
Courier-Journal, (Louisville, KY), July 1, 1990.
Daily Mail, January 12, 2000.
Dallas Morning News, June 29, 1986; July 8, 1992.
Los Angeles Times, June 29, 1986; June 9, 1990; July 1, 1994;October 9, 1995.
Orange County Register, March 31, 1991.
News and Observer, (Raleigh, NC), July 1, 1992.
Record, (Nothern New Jersey), July 1, 1994.
San Diego Tribune, June 25, 1986.
San Diego Union-Tribune, June 3, 1990.
San Francisco Chronicle, June 23, 1986.
San Francisco Examiner, June 12, 1994.
Sun-Sentinel, (Ft. Lauderdale, FL), June 22, 1994.
Sunday Age, July 3, 1994.
Sunday Telegraph, (London), July 3, 1994; October 10, 1995.
Sydney Morning Herald, July 16, 1997.
Times of London, January 7, 2000.
Toronto Star, November 11, 1997.
Washington Post, July 7, 1990.
Britannica Concise Encyclopedia: Diego Armando Maradona
(born Oct. 30, 1960, Villa Fiorito, near Buenos Aires, Arg.) Argentine football (soccer) player. A midfielder renowned for his ability to create scoring chances for himself and others, he led club teams to championships in Argentina, Italy, and Spain. He starred for the Argentine national team that won the 1986 World Cup. His performance included two memorable goals against England, one scored with his hand (the referee mistakenly thought the ball struck his head) and now remembered as the "Hand of God," and another that saw him dribble through a pack of defenders. He was twice suspended for use of banned substances. An Internet poll conducted by the Fédération Internationale de Football Association named Maradona the top player of the 20th century.
Columbia Encyclopedia: Maradona, Diego Armando,
1960–, Argentinian soccer star. A strong forward with spectacular abilities, superb dribbling skills, and great personal flair, he began his career as a teenager playing for the Argentinos (1976–80) and Boca juniors (1981). Moving (1982) to Europe, he joined the Barcelona team and led them to the 1983 Spanish Cup. With Italy's Napoli club from 1984, he was instrumental to their winning five championship cups. In 1991, however, he tested positive for cocaine and was suspended. Cocaine addiction subsequently plagued him, and he has been several times treated for addiction and health conditions resulting from it. He subseqently played with the Seville club (1992–93) in Spain and Newell's Old Boys (1993) in Rosario, Argentina, but without his old fire.
Maradona represented Argentina on its World Cup teams in 1982 and 1986, the latter year as a captain who dominated the games and led his team to victory with his infamous “hand of God” goal. He was again captain of the 1990 and 1994 national teams, but during the 1994 World Cup he failed another drug test (for ephedrine) and was again suspended. He attempted a comeback in 1995 with the Boca Juniors, but retired two years later after again failing a drug test. A national hero in Argentina, he has been the host of a popular TV talk show since 2005.
Diego Maradona
Personal information
Full name Diego Armando Maradona
Date of birth October 30 1960
 (1960--) (age 47)
Place of birth Villa Fiorito, Buenos Aires, Argentina
Height m ()
Playing position - Supporting Striker
-Attacking Midfielder
Youth clubs
1970–76 Argentinos Juniors
Senior clubs1
Years Club App (Gls)*
1976–1981
1981–1982
1982–1984
1984–1991
1992–1993
1993
1995–1997		 Argentinos Juniors
Boca Juniors
Barcelona
Napoli
Sevilla
Newell's Old Boys
Boca Juniors
Career		 168 (116)
0400(28)
0580(38)
2590(115)
02900(7)
00700(0)
03100(7)
592 (311)
National team
1977–94 Argentina
0910(34)
Teams managed

Mandiyú de Corrientes
Racing Club de Avellaneda

1 Senior club appearances and goals
counted for the domestic league only.
* Appearances (Goals)

Wikipedia: Diego Maradona
Diego Armando Maradona (born October 30,1960 is an Argentine former Footballer. He played in four World Cups and received the FIFA award of Player of the century (People's choice) after being voted in 2000 in an international internet fan poll as the best football player of all time.
Maradona won many trophies with Boca Juniors, FC Barcelona and SSC Napoli over the course of his career. During an international career that included 91 caps and 34 goals, he played in four FIFA Worl Cup dtournaments, leading the Argentina national team to its Victory Over West Germany in 1986 World Cup, in which he collected the Golden Ball award as the tournament's best player. His second goal against England in the quarter-finals of the '86 tournament -- a spectacular 60-meter weave through six England players -- is commonly referred to as" The Goal Of The Century."or, in Argentina, "The Cosmic Kite" (Spanish El barrilete cósmico ).
He is also considered one of the sport's most controversial figures. Maradona was suspended for 15 months in 1991 after a failed doping test for Cocaine in Italy, and then again for ephedrine during the 1994 World Cup in USA.After retirement from professional football on 30 October 1997,2 he suffered ill health and weight gain, along with ongoing cocaine abuse. However, a stomach-stapling operation helped control his weight gain. Since overcoming his cocaine addiction, he has become a TV host in Argentina.
Early years
Diego Armando Maradona was born in Villa Fiorito, a Shantytown on the southern outskirts of Buenos Aires,4 to a poor family that had moved from Corrientes Province. He was the first son after three daughters. He has two younger brothers, Hugo (El Turco) and Eduardo (Lalo), both of whom were also professional football players.
At age 11, Maradona was spotted by a talent scout while he was playing in his neighborhood club Estrella Roja. He became a staple of Los Cebollitas (The Little Onions), the junior team of Buenos Aires's Argentinos Juniors. As a 12-year-old ball boy, he amused spectators by showing his wizardry with the ball during the halftime intermissions of first division games.5
Playing style
Maradona had a compact physique and could withstand physical pressure well. His strong legs and low center of gravity gave him an advantage in short sprints. His physical strengths were illustrated by his two goals against Belgium in the 1986 World Cup. Maradona was a strategist and a team player, as well as highly technical with the ball. He could manage himself effectively in limited spaces, and would attract defenders only to quickly dash out of the melee (as in the second 1986 goal against England),6 or give an assist to a free teammate. Being short, but strong, he could hold the ball long enough with a defender on his back to wait for a teammate making a run or to find a gap for a quick shot.
One of Maradona's trademark moves was dribbling full-speed as a left wing, and on reaching the opponent's goal line, delivering lethally accurate passes to his teammates. Another trademark was the Rabona, a reverse-cross pass shot behind the leg that holds all the weight. This maneuver led to several assists, such as the powerful cross for Ramon Diaz's header in the 1980 friendly against Switzerland. He was also a dangerous Free Kick taker.
Maradona playing
for Boca Juniors during
1981.
Club career.
Maradona made his professional debut on october 20, 1976 ten days before his sixteenth birthday, with Argentinos Juniors.2 He played there between 1976 and 1981, before his £1m transfer to the club that he supported, Boca Juniors. Joining the squad midway through the 1981 season, Maradona played through 1982, and secured his first league winners' medal. After the 1982 World Cup, in June, Maradona was transferred to FC Barcelona in spain for a then world record £5m.2 In 1983, under coach Cesar Luis Menottti, Barcelona and Maradona won the Copa del Rey (Spain's annual national cup competition), beating Real Madrid. However, Maradona had a difficult tenure in Barcelona.7First a bout with Hepatitis, then an ill-timed tackle by Athletic Bilbao's Andoni Goikoetxea jeopardized his career,2 but Maradona's physical strength and willpower made it possible for him to be back on the pitch after only 14 weeks. It is believed that it was while playing for Barcelona that Maradona was introduced to cocaine, to which he would become addicted.8
The Napoli era
Maradona got into frequent disputes with Barcelona's directors, especially club president Josep Lluis Nunez. In 1984, he demanded a transfer out of Npu Camp. He subsequently went to Serie A and SSC Napoli for another record fee, £6.9m, and became an adored star among the club's fans, as he elevated the team to its most successful era. Napoli won their only Italian Championchips (1986/87 and 1989/1990), a Coppa Italia (1987), a UEFA Cup (1989) and an Italian Supercup(1990). Napoli were also runners-up in the Italian Championship twice, in 1987/88 and 1988/89.
In Naples, Maradona was present during the transformation of the local club. They had traditionally been overshadowed by the teams from the industrial cities in the north, but Maradona's arrival (along with Careca and others) brought them a first seudetto in 1987.2 A second followed in 1990, along with cup successes. However, Maradona also faced a scandal there regarding an illegitimate son: he was also the object of some suspicion over an alleged friendship with the Camorra.Maradona left Napoli in 1992, after serving a 15-month ban for failing a drug test for cocaine. He played for Sevilla FC (1992–93), Newell's Old Boys (1993) and Boca Juinors (1995–97).2 He also attempted to work as a coach on two short stints, leading Mandiyu of Corrientes (1994) and Racing Club (1995), but without much success. He retired from football on October 30, 1997, his 37th birthday. Maradona and the Youth World Cup trophy in
1979.
International career.
He debuted with the Argentina National Football Team ("la selección"), at age 16, against Hungry. At age 18, he played the Football World Youth Championships for Argentina, and was the star of the tournament, shining in their 3–1 final win over the USSR team.
1982 World Cup
Maradona played his first World Cup tournament in 1982. In the first round, Argentina, the defending champions, lost to Belgium. Although the team convincingly beat Hungary and El Salvador to progress to the second round, they were defeated in the second round by Brazil and by eventual winners Italy. Maradona played in all five matches without being substituted, scoring twice against Hungary, but was sent off with 5 minutes remaining in the game against Brazil for serious foul play.
1986 World Cup
Maradona captained the Argentine national team to victory in the 1986 FIFA World Cup, winning the final against West Germany. Throughout the 1986 World Cup, Maradona asserted his dominance and was the most dynamic player of the tournament. He played every minute of every Argentina game, scored 5 goals and made 5 assists. However, it was the two goals he scored in a 2-1 quarter-final win against England which cemented his legend.
Replays showed that the first Goal was scored with the aid of his hand. Maradona was coyly evasive, describing it as "a little with the head of Maradona and a little with the hand of God." The play became known as the "Hand Of God," or "la mano de Dios." Ultimately, on 22 August 2005 Maradona acknowledged on his television show that he hit the ball with his hand purposely, and that he immediately knew the goal was illegitimate. He recalled thinking right after the goal that
"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.9"
In contrast, Maradona's second goal was a technically pure display of Maradona's astonishing dribbing ability. He picked up the ball in his own half, swiveled around and ran more than half the length of the field, dribbling past five English players:( Glenn Hoddle, Peter Reid, Kenny Sansom, Terry Butcher, and Terry Fenwick) and goalkeeper Peter Shilton. This goal was voted the Goal of the Century in a 2002 online poll conducted by FIFA. In 2002, the two goals were ranked 6th in the 100 Greatest Sporting Moments by the UK's Channel 4 television channel.
Maradona followed this with two more goals in the semifinal against Belgium. In the final, the opposing West German side attempted to contain him by double-marking, but he nevertheless found the space to give the final service to Jorge Burruchaga for the winning goal. Argentina beat West Germany 3-2 and Maradona lifted the World Cup trophy after dominating the tournament in a historic fashion.
1990 World Cup
Maradona captained Argentina again in the 1990 FIFA World Cup. An ankle injury affected his overall performance, and he was much less dominant than four years earlier. Argentina were almost eliminated in the first round, only qualifying in third position from their group.
In the round of 16 match against Brazil, a Maradona run from his own half set up the opportunity for Claudio Caniggia to score the game's only goal. During this match, Brazilian left-back Branco asked the Argentinian crew for some water. Afterwards, Branco said he had felt dizzy during the match, and voiced his suspicion about the water he had received. The Argentinians were offended by the suggestion that they would ever use such despicable methods, and claimed Branco was just looking for excuses. In 2005 however, Maradona confirmed to an Argentine newspaper that the water supplied to Branco was indeed contaminated. 10
In the quarterfinal round, Argentina faced Yugoslavia, the match ending 0-0 after 120 minutes, and Argentina advancing on penalty kicks, despite Maradona missing one of the penalties in the shootout. The semifinal against the host nation Italy was also resolved on penalties after a 1-1 draw; this time, Maradona was successful with his effort. In the final, Argentina lost 1-0 to West Germany, the only goal being a penalty by Andreas Brehme in the 85th minute after a controversial foul on Rudi Voller.
1994 World Cup
At the 1994 FIFA World Cup Maradona played in two games, scoring one goal against Greece, before being sent home after failing a drug test for ephedrine doping. In his autobiography, Maradona argued that the test result was due to his personal trainer giving him the power drink Rip Fuel. His claim was that the U.S. version, unlike the Argentine one, contained the chemical and that, having run out of his Argentinian dosage, his trainer unwittingly bought the U.S. formula. FIFA subsequently expelled him from USA '94 and Argentina were subsequently eliminated in the second round. Maradona has also separately claimed that he had an agreement with FIFA, on which the organization reneged, to allow him to use the drug for weight loss before the competition in order to be able to play.11 According to Maradona, this was so that the World Cup would not lose prestige because of his absence. This allegation was never proved, and many fans attribute his comment ("they cut off my legs") to his anger at being suspended.
Retirement and honours
In 2000, Maradona published his autobiography Yo Soy El Diego ("I am The Diego"), which became an instant bestseller12 in his home country. Two years later, Maradona donated the Cuban royalties of his book to "the Cuban people and Fidel."13
FIFA conducted a fan poll on the Internet in 2000, to elect the Player of the Century. Maradona finished top of the poll with 53.6% of the vote, due mostly to a huge mobilization of fans in Argentina. Subsequently, however, and contrary to the original announcement of how the award would be decided, FIFA appointed a "Football Family" committee of football experts that voted to award pele the title. Maradona protested at the change in procedure, and declared he would not attend the ceremony if Pelé replaced him. Eventually, two awards were made, one to each of the pair. Maradona accepted his prize, but left the ceremony without waiting to see Pelé receive his accolade.1
Maradona at the Soccer Aid
friendly match in 2006, after
losing weight
In 2001, the Argentine Football Association(AFA) asked FIFA for authorization to Retire the Jersey number 10 for Maradona. FIFA did not grant the request, even though Argentine officials have maintained that FIFA hinted that it would.14
Maradona has won other fan polls, including a 2002 FIFA poll in which his second goal against England was chosen as the best goal ever scored in a World Cup: he also won the most votes in a poll to determine the All-Time Ultimate World Cup Team.
Argentinos Juniors named its stadium after Maradona on December 26, 2003.
On 22 June 2005, it was announced that Maradona would return to Boca Juniors as a sports vice president in charge of managing the First Division roster (after a disappointing 2004-05 season, which coincided with Boca's centenary).15 His contract began 1 August 2005, and one of his first recommendations proved to be very effective: he was the one who decided to hire Alfio Basile as the new coach. With Maradona fostering a close relationship with the players, Boca went on to win the 2005 Apertura title, the 2006 Clausura title, the 2005 Copa Sudamericana and the 2005 Recopa Sudamericana.
On 15 August 2005, Maradona made his debut as host of a talk-variety show on Argentine television, La Noche Del 10 ("The Night of the no. 10"). His main guest on opening night was Pele: the two had a friendly chat, showing no signs of past differences. In subsequent evenings, he led the ratings on all occasions but one. Most guests were drawn from the worlds of football and show business, including Zidane, Ronaldo and Hernan Crespo, but also included interviews with other notable personalities such as Fidel Castro and Mike Tyson.
On August 26, 2006, it was announced that Maradona was quitting his position in the club Boca Juniors because of disagreements with the AFA, who selected Basile to be the new coach of the Argentina National Football Team.16
The award-winning serbian filmmaker Emir Kusturica is preparing a documentary about Maradona's life, entitled Maradona. The film is currently in post-production, and its release is expected in 2007. Italian-Australian actor Marco Leonardi has been confirmed to play the footballer in the film.
In September 2006, Maradona, in his famous blue and white number 10, was the captain for Argentina in a three-day World Cup of Indoor Football tournament in Spain.
In 2006, Diego Maradona was appointed as a Goodwill Ambassador of the Intergovernmental Institution for the use of Micro-algae Spirulina Against Malnutrition, IIMSAM.17
Personal agents
Jorge Cyterszpiller, a childhood friend, was Maradona's first agent. He set up Maradona Producciones but did not score any major successes with merchandising, as counterfeiters would quickly imitate any product that came on the market. On his advice, Maradona started charging for interviews, a move that generated some controversy.
After breaking up with Cyterszpiller, Maradona hooked up with Guillermo Coppola, a bank employee who had started representing players as a hobby and was already a major agent in the mid-1980s. Coppola oversaw the biggest contracts of Maradona's career, but also was involved in the drug scandals of the early 1990s. Maradona and Coppola parted ways acrimoniously, and they still refer to the end of their relations as an "open wound"[citation needed].
Personal life
Maradona married long-time fiancée Claudia Villafañe on November 7, 1989 in Buenos Aires, after the birth of their daughters, Dalma Nerea (b. 1987) and Giannina Dinorah (b. 1989). In his autobiography, Maradona admits he was not always faithful to Claudia, even though he refers to her as the love of his life.
Maradona and Villafañe divorced in 2004. Daughter Dalma has since asserted that the divorce was the best solution for all, as her parents remained on friendly terms. They traveled together to Napoli for a series of homages in June 200518 and were seen together on many other occasions, including the Argentina matches during 2006 FIFA World Cup.
During the divorce proceedings, Maradona admitted he was the father of Diego Sinagra(b. Naples, 1986), as was claimed by the youth's mother Cristiana Sinagra. (The Italian courts had so ruled in 1993, after Maradona refused to undergo DNA tests for proving or disproving his paternity.) Diego Jr. met Maradona for the first time in May 2003 after tricking his way onto a golf course in Naples where Maradona was playing.19
After the divorce, Claudia embarked on a career as a theatre producer, and Dalma is seeking an acting career; she has expressed her desire to attend the Actor's Studio in Los Angeles. Maradona has authored an autobiography entitled "Yo Soy El Diego" chronicling his life, both on and off the playing field. His autobiography was translated and published in English as Maradona: The Autobiography of Soccer's Greatest and Most Controversial Star. (ISBN 1602390274)
Drug abuse and health situation
Since the 1990s, Maradona has been a cocaine addict, which included spells in Swiss and Cuban detox clinics. Between 2002 and 2005, Maradona spent most of his time in Cuba.
On April 18 2004, doctors reported that Maradona had suffered a major heart attack following a cocaine overdose; he was admitted to intensive care in a Buenos Aires hospital. Scores of fans gathered around the clinic. Days after the heart attack, a nurse was caught taking photos of Maradona with a mobile phone and was promptly fired by the hospital managers.
Fortunately he showed improvement and was taken off the respirator on April 23 and remained in intensive care for several days before being discharged on April 29. He returned to Cuba in May.
Maradona has always had a tendency to put on weight, and suffered increasingly with obesity from the end of his playing career until undergoing gastric bypass surgery in a clinic in Cartagena de Indias, Colombia on March 6 2005. When Maradona resumed public appearances shortly thereafter, he displayed a notably thinner figure.
However, on March 29 2007, Maradona was readmitted to a hospital in Buenos Aires. He was treated for hepatitis and effects of alcohol abuse, and was released on 11 April, but re-admitted two days later. In the following days there were constant rumors on his health, including three false claims of his death within a month. After transfer to a psychiatric clinic specialising in alcohol-related problems, he was discharged on May 7.
On May 8, 2007, Maradona appeared on Argentine television and stated that he has quit drinking and has not used drugs in two and a half years.
Political views
During the nineties, Diego Maradona supported the presidency of Carlos Menem in Argentina. In more recent years, Maradona has shown more sympathy to left-wing ideologies. He became friends with Fidel Castro while in treatment in cuba. He has a portrait of Castro tattooed on his left leg and one of Ernesto "Che" Guevara on his right arm.
Maradona is also a supporter of Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez. In 2005 he visited Venezuela with the specific aim of meeting Chávez, who received him in Miraflores. After this meeting Maradona claimed that he had come with the aim of meeting a "great man" ("un grande" in Spanish) but he had met instead a gigantic man ("un gigante" in Spanish, meaning he was more than great). "I believe in Chávez, I am Chávista. Everything Fidel does, everything Chávez does, for me is the best.
He has declared his opposition to imperialism, notably during the 2005 Summit of the Americas in Mar del Plata, Argentina. There he protested George W.Bush's presence in Argentina, wearing a T-shirt labeled "STOP BU卐H" and referring to Bush as "human garbage".
In 2007, Maradona went further, making an appearance on Chávez's weekly television show and saying: "I hate everything that comes from the United States. I hate it with all my strength."
Reputation
Ever since 1986, it is common for Argentines abroad to hear Maradona's name as a token of recognition, even in remote places. In Argentina, Maradona is often talked about in terms reserved for legends. In the Argentine film El Hijo de la Novia ("The bride's son"), an actor who plays a fake Catholic Priest says to a bar patron: "they idolized him and then crucified him". When scolded by a friend for taking the prank too far, the fake priest retorts: "But I was talking about Maradona".
In Buenos Aires, fans organized the "Chruch of Maradona." Maradona's 43rd birthday in 2003 marked the start of the Year 43 D.D. - "Después de Diego" or After Diego - for its founding 200 members. Tens of thousands more have become members via the church's official web site.Hounded for years by the press, Maradona even fired a compressed-air rifle against reporters who, so he claimed, invaded his privacy. This quote from former teammate Jorge Valdano summarizes the feelings of many:
He is someone many people want to emulate, a controversial figure, loved, hated, who stirs great upheaval, especially in Argentina... Stressing his personal life is a mistake. Maradona has no peers inside the pitch, but he has turned his life into a show, and is now living a personal ordeal that should not be imitated.
A television commercial for Brazilian soft drink Guarana Antarctica portrayed Maradona as a member of the Brazilian national football team, including wearing the yellow jersey and singing the Brazilian national anthem with Brazilian caps Kaka and Ronaldo. Later on in the commercial he wakes up realizing it was nightmare after having drank too much of the soft drink. This generated some controversy in the Argentine media after its release (although the commercial was not supposed to air on the Argentine market, fans could see it via internet.

In May 2006, Maradona agreed to take part in UK's Siccer Aid Unicef). Maradona scored a penalty but it was too late to save the match which England won 2-1 (a program to raise money for
Career statistics
Club
  • His overall average of goals scored per match in domestic club competitions is 0.53.

International

  • Started in 21 consecutive matches for Argentina in four World Cups (1982, 1986, 1990, 1994)
  • Appeared a World Cup-record16 times as captain of the national team.
  • Scored 8 goals and made 8 assists in 21 World Cup appearances, including 5 goals and 5 assists in 1986
  • Tied for second-highest goal-scorer from Argentina in World Cup finals (equaled Guillermo Stabile's mark in 1994; surpassed by Gabriel Batistuta in 1998 and Hernan Crespo in 2006)
Honours
Club
Individual
  • Golden Ball for Best Player of the FIFA U-20 World Cup: 1979
  • Argentine league Top Scorer: 1979, 1980, 1981
  • Argentine Football Writers' Footballer of the Year: 1979–1981, 1986
  • South American Footballer of the Year (El Mundo, Caracas):1979, 1986, 1989, 1990, 1992
  • Argentine Sports Writers' Sportsman of the Year: 1986
  • Golden Ball for Best Player of the FIFA World Cup: 1986
  • Best Footballer in the World (Once): 1986–1987
  • World Player of the Year(World Soccer Magazine): 1986
  • Golden Ball for services to football (France Football): 1996
  • Argentine Sports Writers' Sportsman of the Century: 1999
  • "FIFA best football player of the century", people's choice: 2000
  • "FIFA "Goal of the Century" (1986 (2–1) v. England; second goal): 2002
  • Argentine Senate"Domingo Faustino Sarmiento" recognition for lifetime achievement: 2005
Coaching career
  • 1994 Mandiyú de Corrientes
  • 1995 Racing Club de Avellaneda
He also won a cup with Racing Club de Avellaneda
Trivia
  • Mano Negra's final album, Casa Babylon contains the song Santa Maradona, which became one of the band's greatest hits.
  • Los Piojos released two songs dedicated to Maradona in their 1996 album Tercer Arco, Intro Maradó and Maradó, and have played them live in almost every show since. A live version featuring Maradona himself was released in their 1999 live album, Ritual.
  • Argentine singer Rodrigo Bueno wrote La Mano de Dios ("The Hand of God"), dedicated to Diego Maradona. Maradona mentioned Rodrigo in his autobiography, and covered the song himself in his 2005 TV show (changing the lyrics from third person to first).
  • Long Island alternative band Brand New recorded a song called "Me Vs. Maradona Vs. Elvis" on their 2003 CD Deja Entendu.
  • Manu Chao dedicates a song (La Vida Tómbola) in the album La Radiolina to Maradona.

References

  1. CNNSI-" Split decision:Pele, Maradona each win FIFA century awards after feud"Last retrieved May 30 2006
  2. A SUMMARY OF MARADONA'S LIFE www.vivadiego.com. Retrieved 18 August 2006.
  3. Five days with Diego Jason Bernard, news.bbc.co.uk, 30 April 2006. Retrieved 6 August 2006.
  4. The greatest rags-to-riches stories ever James Dart, Paul Doyle and Jon Hill, 12 April 2006. Retrieved 18 August 2006.
  5. The Hand of god Retrieved 18 August 2006.
  6. Maradona's World Cup Magic BBC Sport. Retrieved 18 August 2006.
  7. That's one hell of a diet, Diego 8 January 2006. Guardian Newspapers Limited. Retrieved 13 August 2006.
  8. Maradona's fall from grace John May, 19 April, 2004, BBC Sport. Retrieved 18 August 2006.
  9. CNNSI- "The right way to cheat pulling a fast one is sometimes part of the game" Last retrieved May 19 2006
  10. ^ http://www.derf.com.ar/despachos.asp?cod_des=24011
  11. Diego Maradona - Career History and Profle Alan Hylands, about.com. Retrieved 16 October 2007.
  12. Maradona 'tells all' in autobigography Associated Press. Posted: 12/20/2000. Retrieved 18 August 2006.
  13. Maradona donates royalties from cuban edition of his book Anne-Marie Garcia, 21 February 2002. Retrieved 18 August 2006.
  14. Argentina can't retire Maradona's shirt ESPNsoccernet.com, 26 May 2002. Retrieved 18 August 2006
  15. .El Diez emprende dos nuevos desafios', ESPN deportes (July 28 2005) Retrieved August 17 2005
  16. El Diego quits his beloved Boca', FIFA News (August 26 2006).Retrieved August 26 2006
  17. ^ http://www.pomun.org/goodwill_ambassadors.htm
  18. RSPN Deportes -"Llega en son de paz Last retrieved May 19 2006
  19. ESPN Deportes-"El amor al idolo" Last retrieved May 19 2006
  20. Clarin.com - "Habia una vez... un elenco para la seleccion"Last retrieved May 19 2006
  21. Clarin.com - Dalma Maradona: diario de una princesa "Last retrieved may 19 2006
  22. Maradona back in hospital"- Sky Sports
  23. "Malas Lenguas"-Diario Ole (Spanish)
  24. "Maradona says he no longer drinks"- ESPNsoccernet
  25. A big hand. The Observer. (2005-11-06). Retrieved on 2006-06-19.
  26. Maradona and Chavez laugh over 'hand of god' on chat show. Retrieved on 2007-08-20.
  27. Chavez and Maradona Lead Massive Rebuke of Bush. The Nation (2005-11-05). Retrieved on 2006-06-20.
  28. "Ex-soccer star Maradona tells Chavez he hates U.S", Reuters, 2007-08-19. Retrieved on 2007-08-19.
  29. Maradona in intensive care 28 April, 2004. BBC Sport. Retrieved 18 August 2006.
  30. Interview with Jorge Valdano Last retrieved May 19 2006
  31. "Maradona Scores but England Win UNICEF match" Yahoo-FIFA
Persondata
NAME Maradona, Diego
ALTERNATIVE NAMES Maradona, Diego Armando
SHORT DESCRIPTION Retired Argentine Footballer.
DATE OF BIRTH 30 October 1960(age 47)
PLACE OF BIRTH Villa Fiorito, LanusBuenos Aires
DATE OF DEATH
PLACE OF DEATH

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