He was a strategist and a team player, as well as highly technical with the ball. he could manage himself effectively in limited spaces, and wold attract defenders only to quickly dash out of the melee 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.
Such a dynamic and skilled footballer is Diego Armando Maradona born in Lanus, Argentina but raised in Villa Fiorito, to a poor family that had moved from Corrientes Province. He was the first son after three daughters. He has two brothers, both of whom were also professional football players. at age 10, Maradona was spotted bu 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-years-old ball bay, he amused spectators by showing his wizardry with the ball during the halftime intermissions of first division games.
On 20 October 1976, Maradona made his professional debut with Argentinos Juniors, only ten days before his sixteenth birthday. He played there between 1976 and 1981, before his transfer to Boca Juniors. After the 1982 World Cup, in June, Maradona was transferred to FC Barcelona in Spain for a then world record 5m. In 1983, under coach Cesar Luis Mentti, Barcelona and Maradona won the Copa del Rey (Spain's annual national cup competition), beating Real Madrid, and the Spanish Super Cup beating Athletic de Bilbao. Then onwards his demand was increased everywhere.
In 1984, Maradona was transferred to SSC Napoli in Italy's Serie A. In Napoli, he reached the peak of his professional career. He quickly become an adored star among the clubs fans, and in his time there he elevated the team to the most successful era in its history. Led by Maradona, Napoli won their only Italian Championships in 1986/87 and 1989/1990. Maradona was the top scorer in Serie A in 1987/88.
Maradona made his ful international debut at age 16, against Hungary on 27 February 1977. At age 18, he played the World Youth Championship for Argentina, and was the star of the tournament. Maradona played his first World Cup tournament in 1982. He captained the Argentine national team to victory in the 1986 FIFA World Cup, winning the final in Mexico against West Germany. Throughout the 1986 World Cup, Maradona asserted his dominance and was the most dynamic player of the tournament.
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. 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. He was also a dangerous free kick taker.
Maradona is considered one of th most controversial and newsworthy figures of sports. In a side he is a matter of world concern for football but on the other he is criticized for political controversy and his personal misdeeds. After being a pubic figure, he has to be conscious even in his personal activities too. He is the property of the world and an example for the new comers. Regarding this fact his former teammate asserts:
"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."
Mardona was convicted in a doping test where he failed and was banned to play. this led his career a it back from his height. Even after his conviction over he could not play his active match. He was being older and older day by day. Over the years following his retirement his health seriously deteriorated. When Maradona resumed public appearances shortly thereafter, he displayed a notably thinner figure.
From political point of view as well, Maradona stands as a controversal figure. He became friends with fidel castro and a supporter of Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez. He said, "I believe in Chavez, I am Chaviasta. Everything Fidel does, everything Chavez 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 BUSH" and referring to Bush as "human garbage".
Though he falls on controversy, he desires to be cleaned by making the national team in a height. so, he desired to be a coach of the team. After the resignation of Argentina national football team coach Alfio Basile in 2008, Diego Maradona immediately proposed his candidacy for the vacant role. On October 29, 2008, AFA chairman Julio Grondona confirmed that Maradona would he the head coach of the national side from December 2008. And now the national team is progressing under his tutorship.
Despite his some controversies, Maradona is one of the top most figures of international spots. that is why, football fans took him as their blood. When FIFA conducted a fan poll on the Internet in 2000, to elect the Player of the Century, he finished top of the poll with 53.6% of the vote. In 2001, the Argentine Football Association (AFA) asked FIFA for authorization to retire the jersey number 10 for Maradona. He remains to be an icon for the new generation.
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