Subscribe To Print Edition About The Tribune Code Of Ethics Download App Advertise with us Classifieds
search-icon-img
  • ftr-facebook
  • ftr-instagram
  • ftr-instagram
search-icon-img
Advertisement

Maradona a genius on the field, a character off

He debuted with Argentinos Juniors and then jumped to Boca Juniors, where in 1981 he got his first title as a professional soccer player
  • fb
  • twitter
  • whatsapp
  • whatsapp
Advertisement

Mexico City, November 26

On the soccer field, he was considered a genius. Outside, he was a character known practically everywhere, by everybody.

Diego Maradona, who died Wednesday of a heart attack at age 60, started his story as a player in the Villa Fiorito neighbourhood in Buenos Aires and over the decades he became a soccer great.

Advertisement

He debuted with Argentinos Juniors and then jumped to the mythical Boca Juniors, where in 1981 he got his first title as a professional soccer player. Then, it was off to Europe, and his legend began.


Also read: Feuding no more, Pelé joins world in mourning Diego Maradona

Advertisement

Argentina’s soccer fans weep for superhero Diego Maradona

Argentina declares three-day national mourning for Maradona

Maradona’s refusal to cut football-shaped cake told me about his love for game: Vijayan


He won three titles with the Barcelona club, becoming a world soccer figure. But Maradona won a place as one of the all-time greats when he led Argentina to the 1986 World Cup title in Mexico, where he scored one of the most storied goals in soccer history — the “Hand of God” goal that helped defeat England in a quarterfinal match.

Pundits have debated about who was the best soccer player in history — whether Maradona or Pelé, the iconic Brazilian who retired in 1977 and is still alive. There has been no consensus.

Maradona and Pelé had a very good relationship until the Argentine failed a doping test and was expelled from the 1994 World Cup in the United States. Pelé criticised him and they parted ways until 2005, when they re-established a relationship.

Maradona retired in 1997 but he remained linked to soccer. He was Argentina’s team coach.

Off the field, Maradona was an outspoken personality who leaned to leftist ideology. He was a good friend of Fidel Castro, the leader of the Cuban revolution, and was also close to the late Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez. AP

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
tlbr_img1 Home tlbr_img2 Opinion tlbr_img3 Classifieds tlbr_img4 Videos tlbr_img5 E-Paper