Football’s most sublime genius and Golden Boy | Sunday Observer
Diego Maradona:

Football’s most sublime genius and Golden Boy

13 November, 2022
Maradona in a lifetime celebratory mood after bagging the top prize in football for Argentina in 1986
Maradona in a lifetime celebratory mood after bagging the top prize in football for Argentina in 1986

Diego Maradona remains one of the most iconic footballers of all time – to some the best player ever. Maradona played in four FIFA World Cups, including the 1986 World Cup in Mexico, where he captained Argentina to victory over West Germany in the final. Maradona is the first player to win the Golden Ball at both the 1979 FIFA U-20 World Cup and 1986 FIFA World Cup. Along with Pele, Maradona was the joint winner of the “FIFA Player of the Century” award in 2000.

During his career, he made 694 appearances and scored 354 goals for club and country combined. Maradona appeared as captain in 16 matches of the World Cup finals from 1982 to 1994 and scored 6 goals. Maradona as captain went on to break the records for the most football FIFA World Cup appearances and the most goals scored in the football FIFA World Cups.

In addition to his creative abilities, he possessed an eye for goal and was known to be a free kick specialist. His gifted talent earned him the nickname “The Golden Boy” which stuck with him throughout his career. An advanced playmaker who operated in the classic number 10 position, Maradona played for Argentinos Juniors, Boca Juniors, Barcelona, Napoli, Sevilla, and Newell’s Old Boys during his career. His time at Napoli was famous for winning numerous accolades.

Life and Times

Diego Armando Maradona was born on October 30, 1960, to a Roman Catholic family in Lanus, Buenos Aires. His parents were Diego Maradona and Dalma Salvadora Franco. He was the first son after four daughters and had two younger brothers.

Maradona received his first football as a gift at age three and quickly became devoted to the game. At eight, Maradona was spotted and at 12, he amused spectators by showing his wizardry with the ball. Maradona’s precocious talent in his youth, drew praise for his dedication, determination, and the work-ethic he demonstrated to improve the technical aspect of his game.

On October 20, 1976, just before his 16th birthday, Maradona made his professional debut for Argentinos Juniors, wearing number 16 jersey, and became the youngest player in the history of the Argentine Primera Division.

He made his full international debut at 16, against Hungary, on February 27, 1977. At 18, Maradona played the 1979 FIFA World Youth Championship in Japan and emerged as the star of the tournament, shining in Argentina’s 3–1 final win. On June 2, 1979, Maradona scored his first senior international goal in a 3–1 win against Scotland.

He spent five years at Argentinos Juniors, scoring 115 goals in 167 appearances before his US$ 4 million transfer to Boca Juniors in 1981. After the 1982 World Cup, Maradona was transferred to Barcelona for a then world record fee of $7.6 million. In 1983, Barcelona won the Copa del Rey and the Spanish Super Cup with him scoring 38 goals for Barcelona in 58 games during his two injury-hit seasons.

Maradona transferred to Napoli for another world record fee of $10.48 million and was presented as a Napoli player on July 5, 1984. At Napoli, Maradona reached the peak of his professional career. He soon inherited the captain’s armband and quickly became an adored star among the club’s fans and he elevated the team to the most successful era in its history.

Napoli won their second league title in 1989–90, and finished runners up in the league twice, in 1987–88 and 1988–89. In 2000, the number 10 jersey of Napoli was officially retired and upon Maradona’s death, Napoli’s home stadium was renamed in his honour.

Maradona married long-time fiancee Claudia Villafane on November 7, 1989 in Buenos Aires, and they were blessed with two daughters, Dalma Nerea (April 2, 1987) and Gianinna Dinorah (May 16, 1989). Maradona’s relationship with his immediate family was a close one.

Maradona was addicted to cocaine from the mid-1980s until 2004. He suffered a cardiac arrest and died in his sleep at his home in Dique Lujan, Argentina on November 25, 2020. He was buried at a private funeral at the Jardín de Bella Vista cemetery after lying in state for three days.

FIFA World Cup 1982

Maradona played his first FIFA World Cup in 1982. Argentina played Belgium in the opening game in Barcelona and Maradona did not live up to the expectations. Argentina beat both Hungary and El Salvador to progress to the second round and was defeated by Brazil and the eventual winners Italy.

Maradona played in all five matches without being substituted, scoring twice against Hungary. He was fouled repeatedly in all five games and particularly in the last one against Brazil, a game that was wrecked by poor officiating and violent fouls.

FIFA World Cup 1986

Maradona captained Argentina to victory in the 1986 World Cup in Mexico, winning the final against West Germany. He played every minute of every Argentina game, scoring five goals and making five assists. His first goal came against Italy and his two contrasting goals in the win against England, cemented his status as a legend.

The majesty of his second goal and the notoriety of his first led the French newspaper L’Equipe to describe Maradona as “half-angel, half-devil.”The match between Argentina and the United Kingdom was played in the background of the Falklands War. Replays showed that the first goal was scored by striking the ball with his hand. Maradona was coyly evasive, describing it as “a little with the head of Maradona and a little with the hand of God.” It became known as the “Hand of God.”

His second goal was voted “Goal of the Century” in a 2002 online poll conducted by FIFA. A 2002 Channel 4 poll in the UK saw his performance ranked number 6 in the list of the 100 Greatest Sporting Moments. Maradona received the ball in his own half, swivelled around and with 11 touches ran more than half the length of the field, dribbling past five English outfield players before he left goalkeeper on his backside with a feint, and slotted the ball into the net.

Maradona followed this with two more goals in a semi-final match against Belgium, including another virtuoso dribbling display for the second goal. In the final, West Germany attempted to contain him by double-marking, but Argentina beat West Germany 3–2 in front of 115,000 fans at the Azteca with Maradona lifting the World Cup as captain.

During the tournament, Maradona attempted a tournament-best 90 dribbles – three times more than any other player – and was fouled a record 53 times, winning his team twice as many free kicks as any player. Maradona scored or assisted 10 of Argentina’s 14 goals (71%), including the assist for the winning goal in the final, ensuring that he would be remembered as one of the greatest names in football history.

Maradona asserted his dominance throughout and was the most dynamic player of the World Cup. He was awarded the “Golden Ball” as the best player of the tournament by unanimous vote. Maradona was widely regarded to have won the World Cup for Argentina virtually single-handedly.

FIFA World Cup 1990

Maradona captained Argentina in the FIFA World Cup 1990 as well. He guided Argentina to yet another World Cup final, despite an ankle injury that affected his overall performance. After losing their opening game to Cameroon, Argentina was almost eliminated but bounced back. In the round of 16, against Brazil the only goal for Argentina was scored after being set up by Maradona.

In the quarter-final, Argentina faced Yugoslavia, the match ended 0–0 after 120 minutes, with Argentina advancing in a penalty shootout. The semi-final against the host nation Italy at Maradona’s club stadium in Naples, the Stadia San Paolo, was also resolved on penalties after a 1–1 draw. Maradona was successful daringly rolling the ball into the net. At the final in Rome, Argentina lost 1–0 to West Germany.

FIFA World Cup 1994

At the 1994 World Cup in the United States, Maradona played in only two games. After scoring Argentina’s third goal against Greece, Maradona had one of the most remarkable World Cup goal celebrations as he ran towards one of the side-line cameras shouting with a distorted face and bulging eyes, in sheer elation of his return to international football. This turned out to be Maradona’s last international goal for Argentina.

In the second game, he set up both of his team’s goals on free kicks to record a 2–1 victory over Nigeria. It was his last game for Argentina. His international career lasted 17 years and yielded 34 goals from 91 games, including one winner’s medal and one runners-up medal in the World Cup.

Accolades and Honours

Maradona’s main honours include: FIFA World Youth Championship Golden Ball - 1979; FIFA World Youth Championship Silver Shoe - 1979; Olimpia de Oro – 1979, 1986; Guerin Sportivo Player of the Year – 1979, 1986; Argentine Football Writers’ Footballer of the Year - 1979, 1980, 1981, 1986; El Mundo South American Footballer of the Year - 1979, 1980, 1986, 1989, 1990, 1992; El Grafico Footballer of the America’s - 1980, 1981; Guerin Sportivo World All-Star Team - 1980, 1981, 1982, 1983, 1985; Eric Batty’s World XI - 1984, 1987; Guerin d’Oro - 1985; Onze de Onze - 1985, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1989; FIFA World Cup Golden Ball: 1986; FIFA World Cup Silver Shoe - 1986; L’Equipe Champion of Champions - 1986; United Press International Athlete of the Year Award - 1986; World Soccer magazine’s Player of the Year - 1986; Onze d’Or - 1986, 1987; FIFA World Cup All-Star Team - 1986, 1990; Ballon d’Or - 1986, 1990; Capocannoniere - 1987–88; Coppa Italia top scorer - 1987–88; UNICEF European Footballer of the Season - 1989–90; FIFA World Cup Bronze Ball - 1990; El País Ideal Team of the America’s - 1993, 1995; FIFA World Cup All-Time Team - 1994; Ballon d’Or for services to football (France Football) - 1995; World Team of the 20th Century - 1998; World Soccer magazine’s Greatest Players of the 20th century, No. 2 - 1999; Argentine Sports Writers’ Sportsman of the Century - 1999; Marca Leyenda - 1999; FIFA World Cup Dream Team - 2002; Golden Foot - 2003; FIFA 100 Greatest Living Players - 2004; Argentine Senate “Domingo Faustino Sarmiento” recognition for lifetime achievement - 2005; Greatest Footballers in World Cup History by ‘The Times,’ No. 1 - 2010; Best Athlete in History by Corriere dello Sport Stadio, No. 1- 2012; Player of the 20th Century, by Globe Soccer Awards - 2012; World Soccer magazine’s Greatest XI of All Time - 2013; Italian Football Hall of Fame - 2014; Greatest Football Players of All-Time by Four Four Two magazine, No. 1 - 2017; Greatest Football Players in World Cup History by Four Four Two magazine, No. 1 - 2018; L’Equipe’s top 50 South-American footballers in history, No. 2; International Federation of Football History & Statistics (IFFHS) Legends Ballon d’Or Dream Team - 2020; IFFHS All-time Men’s Dream Team - 2021; IFFHS South America Men’s Team of All Time - 2021.

Legacy

Maradona was a traditional playmaker who usually played in a free role, either as an attacking midfielder behind the forwards, or as a second striker in a front–two, although he was also deployed as an offensive–minded central midfielder in a 4–4–2 formation on certain occasions. Maradona was renowned for his dribbling ability, close ball control, passing, and creativity, and was considered as one of the most skilful players in the sport.

He had a compact physique, and with his strong legs, low centre of gravity, and resulting balance, he could withstand physical pressure well while running with the ball, despite his small stature, while his acceleration, quick feet, and agility, combined with his dribbling skills and close control at speed, allowed him to change direction quickly, making him difficult for opponents to defend against.

His physical strengths were illustrated by his two goals against Belgium in the 1986 World Cup. Although he was known for his penchant for undertaking individual runs with the ball, he was also a strategist and an intelligent team player, with excellent spatial awareness, as well as being highly technical with the ball. He was effective in limited spaces and would 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. He showed leadership qualities on the field and captained Argentina in their World Cup campaigns of 1986, 1990, and 1994. While he was primarily a creative playmaker, Maradona was also known for his finishing and goal scoring ability.

One of Maradona’s trademark moves was dribbling full speed on the right wing, and on reaching the opponent’s goal line, delivering accurate passes to his teammates. Another trademark was the rabona, a reverse-cross pass shot behind the leg that holds all the weight. Moreover, he was also a well–known proponent of the roulette, a feint which involved him dragging the ball back first with one foot and then the other, while simultaneously performing a 360° turn; due to his penchant for using this move, it has even occasionally been described as the “Maradona Turn.”

He was also a dangerous free kick and penalty kick taker, who was renowned for his ability to bend the ball from corners and direct set pieces. Regarded as one of the best dead-ball specialists of all time, his free kick technique, which often saw him raise his knee at a high angle when striking the ball, thus enabling him to lift it high over the wall, allowed him to score free kicks even from close range, within 20 to 16 metres from the goal, or even just outside the penalty area.

In 1978, Maradona played and scored for an Argentina XI against the World XI to mark the anniversary of their first World Cup. In 1987, he captained the “Rest of the World” against the English Football League XI. Finally, he played for the Argentina XI in his “Farewell Match” in 2001.

In 1990, the Konex Foundation of Argentina awarded him the Diamond Konex Award, one of the most prestigious culture awards in Argentina, as the most important personality in Sports in the last decade. In 2000, Maradona published his autobiography, Yo Soy El Diego (I am the Diego), which became a best-seller in Argentina. Maradona managed Argentina team from 2008 to 2014.

The author is an Associate Professor, International Scholar, winner of Presidential Awards and multiple National Accolades for Academic pursuits. He possesses a PhD, MPhil, and double MSc. His email is [email protected]

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