Diego Maradona would have turned 66 on Friday, 30 October. Six years after his death, the Argentine remains one of football’s most celebrated and debated figures, remembered for a left foot that could change a match and a personality that rarely went unnoticed.
Born in Lanús, Buenos Aires, in 1960, Maradona grew up in the working-class neighbourhood of Villa Fiorito. His talent emerged early. He joined Los Cebollitas, the youth team of Argentinos Juniors, and helped them put together a remarkable 136-match unbeaten run.
Maradona made his senior debut for Argentinos Juniors in October 1976, ten days before his 16th birthday. He moved to Boca Juniors in 1981, winning the Argentine league title before joining Barcelona in 1982. A spell disrupted by illness and injury ended with his move to Napoli in 1984.
Naples became the setting for the most celebrated chapter of his club career. Maradona helped Napoli win their first Serie A title in 1987, then secured a second in 1990. He also led the club to the 1989 UEFA Cup, turning himself into an enduring symbol for the southern Italian city.
His greatest international achievement came at the 1986 World Cup in Mexico. As captain, Maradona inspired Argentina to the title and won the tournament’s Golden Ball.
The quarter-final against England produced two of football’s most famous goals. Maradona first punched the ball past goalkeeper Peter Shilton, later describing it as the “Hand of God”. Minutes later, he dribbled past several English players before scoring a goal that FIFA later named the “Goal of the Century”.
Argentina reached the 1990 final but lost to West Germany. Maradona’s fourth and final World Cup came in 1994. He was sent home after testing positive for ephedrine.
Maradona scored 259 goals in 490 official club appearances and 34 goals in 91 matches for Argentina. He later managed the national team at the 2010 World Cup, where Argentina reached the quarter-finals.
He died on 25 November 2020, aged 60, after suffering a heart attack. His influence, however, remained visible when Argentina won the 2022 World Cup. Lionel Messi said he wished Maradona could have handed him the trophy or witnessed the country’s triumph.
On his 66th birthday, Maradona’s career remains a story of extraordinary footballing brilliance, controversy and a connection with supporters that few players have matched.
