Last year, on this day, Argentinian football legend Diego Maradona, who led Argentina to the 1986 World Cup title, passed away at his home in Tigre after suffering a cardiac arrest at age 60. Today, as we mark the first death anniversary of Maradona, we take a look at his illustrious football career through some memorable photos of him through the years. Pictures/ AFP
Updated On: 2021-11-25 07:00 AM IST
Diego Armando Maradona was born on October 30, 1960 in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Diego Maradona is widely regarded as one of the greatest footballers to have ever played the game.
Diego Maradona was famously nicknamed as 'El Pibe de Oro (The Golden Boy) in football.
At a height of 5 feet 5 inches, Diego Maradona had a small stature but he combined it perfectly with his exceptional dribbling skills and ball control which would help him gain the upper hand against the opposition.
Diego Maradona had played for various football clubs such as Barcelona, Napoli, Sevilla, Boca Juniors and Argentinos Juniors.
Diego Maradona made his debut for the Argentina football team in 1977 and played 91 games scoring 34 international goals.
During the 1986 World Cup quarterfinals against England, Diego Maradona became infamous for two incidents which were etched into the history books - 'The Hand of God' and 'Goal of the Century. Maradona's first goal came in the 55th minute in which he scored by using his hand against goalie Peter Shilton. What followed 4 minutes later is often called the greatest goal of all time. After receiving the ball from midfielder Hector Enrique, Maradona had a 60-yard run in which he went past 4 England footballers before selling a dummy to Shilton again and netting the ball home. Argentina won the match 2-0.
Diego Maradona appeared in four different FIFA World Cups - 1982, 1986, 1990 and 1994. Maradona led the Argentina football team to win the 1986 World Cup after they defeated West Germany in the finals.
Diego Maradona was married to Claudia Villafane from 1984 to 2003. The couple has two daughters - Dalma Nerea and Giannina Dinorah.
In this file photo taken on May 20, 2008, former Argentinian football player Diego Maradona (C) is kissed by his daughters Giannina (L) and Dalma as he arrives to attend the screening of Serbian director Emir Kusturica's documentary film 'Maradona by Kusturica' at the 61st Cannes International Film Festival in Cannes, southern France.
Diego Maradona had won many honours in football such as the FIFA World Cup golden ball and silver shoe, FIFA Player of the Century, FIFA golden foot, FIFA World Cup All-Star Team, FIFA World Cup Dream Team, Globe Soccer Awards Player Career Award and FIFA Goal of the Century.
Diego Maradona has left us, but his legacy in football will be remembered for the ages.
