Diego Maradona (60) born on 30 October 1960, who recently passed away on November 25, 2020, was a popular Argentine football player. He is regarded as the topmost football player ever to be born. There is no doubt that the death of Maradona has broken the hearts of football enthusiasts across the world. While we mourn the passing away of this legend, let’s also celebrate his grandiose talent by getting to know some facts about him.
- Diego represented his country, Argentina 91 times
- He had represented Argentina in four World Cups, 1982, 1986, 1990 and 1994.
- Diego was as young as 15 years old when he kickstarted his career in football making his debut for Argentinos Juniors.
- He made his international debut at the age of 16 which took place at the Bombonera stadium in Buenos Aires, the capital of Argentina. The match was played against Hungary
- The player holds the record for enduring the most number of fouls during the 1986 World Cup with 53 times.
- In addition to the above-mentioned facts, Diego also holds the record for the highest number of fouls endured in one match, in 1982 which was played against Italy where he was fouled 23 times.
- He was given the nickname, ‘El Pibe de Oro’ which means ‘the Golden Boy’
- Diego has scored 345 goals in 680 games
- He and Pele were voted as the FIFA Player of 20th Century
- Maradona is the 5th-best footballer, behind Messi, Batistuta, Aguero, and Crespo.
- Paolo Maldini and Franco Baresi (footballers) described Maradona as the hardest player they had ever played against.
- Diego Maradona along with Messi has earned the Golden Ball award at both the FIFA U-20 World Cup and FIFA World Cup.
- He succumbed to a cardiac arrest at his home in Tigre, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
- Maradona was listed in FIFA 100 Greatest Living Footballers, which he indeed is and will continue to remain forever.
