10 reason why Diego Maradona was one of soccer's greatest legends

First Published Nov 25, 2020, 11:25 PM IST

Argentine football legend Diego Maradona passed into the ages on Wednesday at the age of 60 after suffering a cardiac arrest. Fans and football legends mourned the demise of the one of the most celebrated football players of all time. Here are some facts about the champion that was Diego Maradona

* Diego Maradona played in 4 World Cups with Argentina, leading them to a title in 1986 while winning the Golden Ball.
undefined
* Diego Maradona scored two goals in the 1982 World Cup quarterfinal victory over England, one of which ended up being the most memorable goals in World Cup history. The referee mistakenly thought the ball had struck his head when it had clearly deflected off his hand -- a goal now remembered as the 'Hand of God' goal.
undefined
* In the same match Maradona's second goal was voted as 'Goal of the Century' in a 2002 online poll conducted by FIFA. He received the ball in his own half and dribbled passed five English players with 11 touches, covering more than half of the ground to score the goal.
undefined
* Diego Maradona scored eight goals in 21 World Cup games, including four in Argentina's successful 1986 campaign, though never in the final.
undefined
* Diego Maradona holds the record for enduring the most number of fouls -- 53 times -- during the 1986 World Cup
undefined
* Diego Maradona signed with Argentinos Juniors at age 14 and made his first-division debut in 1976, 10 days before his 16th birthday. Four months later he made his debut with the national team -- he was the youngest Argentine ever to do so.
undefined
* Diego Maradona was told to leave Napoli in 1991 after failing a drug test for cocaine. He played just two matches and scored once in the 1994 World Cup as he was sent home after he once again failed a dope test.
undefined
* Diego Maradona played a whopping 490 official club games during his 21-year professional career, scoring 259 goals.
undefined
* Diego Maradona played a whopping 490 official club games during his 21-year professional career, scoring 259 goals.
undefined
* Diego Maradona played his last tribute game, in Buenos Aires On November 10, 2001. In October 2008, he was hired as the director of Argentina's national team.
undefined
click me!