| Diego Maradona, one of the greatest football | | | | for the European teams Sevilla FC from 1992 to 1993 |
| (soccer) players to ever live, was born in Villa Fiorito | | | | and for Newell's Old Boys to finish up the 1993 |
| to a poor family in Buenos Aires, Argentina in South | | | | season before taking a year off. He then returned to |
| America. He comes from a family of eight, including | | | | South America to play for the Boca Juniors from |
| two younger brothers, both of which became | | | | 1995 to 1997, the year in which he would anounce his |
| professional football players. When Maradona was | | | | retirement. |
| just ten years old, he was spotted by a scout of the | | | | Maradona, was a big bulky man and thus played a |
| prestigous Argentinan Junior Team, Argentinos | | | | "rough and tough" style of soccer, a style you would |
| Juniors. He got his first chance to play as a junior | | | | expect to find on a rugby field rather that a soccer |
| professional when he turned fifteen years old. | | | | field. He had exceptional ball handling skills which were |
| Maradona played for Argentinos Juniors from 1976 to | | | | developed from a young age, making it easy for him |
| 1981 before transferring to Boca Juniors for two | | | | to slip by the defensers and create one on one |
| years in the 1981 and 1982 seasons. When Diego | | | | situations. Maradona's dribbling skills were phenomenal |
| Maradona was just sixteen years old, he debuted for | | | | and this greatly aided him in slipping past defenders. |
| the Argentinan National Football Team and played in | | | | Maradona is a true rags to riches story, being born |
| the Football World Youth Championship when he was | | | | dirt poor just outside of Buenos Aires in Argentina |
| just 18 years old. It was in 1982 when Diego | | | | and growing up to be one of the most successful |
| Maradona got his first taste of World Cup play as he | | | | footballers to ever live. |
| led Argentina into the second round of the | | | | He won a number of prestigous football awards |
| tournament where they were defeated by Italy and | | | | during his illustrious career as well as after he |
| Brazil. After Argentina's World Cup loss, Maradona left | | | | announced his retirement. In a poll conducted by FIFA |
| South America for Spain where he would come | | | | Online, he was voted as the best footballer of the |
| under the instruction of famed coach Cesar Luis | | | | 20th century, although he went on to share this |
| Menotti and would play for FC Barcelona. | | | | honor with football legend Pele. Also, one of |
| In 1983, Maradona led FC Barcelona to the Copa del | | | | Maradona's goals in a World Cup against England in |
| Ray, Spain's national football cup competition, where | | | | the 1990 World Cup has been named the "Greatest |
| FC Barcelona was able to defeat Real Madrid for the | | | | Goal in a World Cup". Since his retirement, Maradona |
| championship. However, Maradona was soon | | | | has published an autobiography titled, "Yo Soy El |
| transferred to SSC Napoli in Italy where he would go | | | | Diego", which eventually grew to become a bestseller |
| on to become a superstar. He led the team to | | | | in his home country, Argentina. Maradona also |
| victories in the Italian Championship, Coppa Italia, | | | | worked in the management division of Boca Juniors |
| UEFA Cup, and the Italian Supercup, all prestigous | | | | and has his own television talk show, 'La Noche del |
| soccer accomplishments. During his career with the | | | | 10', which is broadcasted mostly on Argentinian |
| SSC Napoli, Maradona still returned to play for | | | | television. |
| Argentina in the 1986 and 1990 World Cup | | | | Maradona grew up and found his love for football in |
| championships. In 1986 Maradona was able to lead | | | | Argentina and South America, but the vast majority |
| the Arginteanan team to victory as they defeated | | | | of his fame came from his playing days in Italy. He |
| West Germany 3-2 in the championship game. | | | | was a master with the ball and is an all time fan |
| Maradona returned at the next World Cup four years | | | | favorite. His aggressive style of play and dedication |
| later where they again advanced to the final round of | | | | to the sport and his team makes him one of the |
| competition under his leadership. However, this time | | | | most beloved football players of his time. He |
| West Germany got their revenge defeating | | | | eventually found his way back to South America to |
| Argentina 1-0. His trip to the 1994 World Cup was | | | | finish out his career, but his legacy comes primarily |
| strife with scandal as he was sent home after just | | | | from his playing days in Europe. Today, the famed |
| two games when he failed a drug test which | | | | footballer spends much of his time relaxing in |
| indicated he had taken the drug ephedrine, one of | | | | Argentina and can be seen in his luxury box during |
| the substances banned from World Cup play. | | | | Boca Juniors games. |
| Maradona left Italy in 1992 and would go on to play | | | | |