DIEG0, WHO GHOSTED THROUGH, ON THE PITCH AND OFF IT!

Spooky stuff this week and let's see what the spirit was like on October 30th in 1960. Rising from the shanty towns of Argentina, particularly, Villa Fiorito Diegio Maradona was born and from the "heavens" he eventually lifted the World Cup towards the heavens as one of the greatest players of all time. He "bowed out" as we would expect, leading Boca Juniors to a 2-1 victory over their bitter rivals, River Plate. 

Diego was rarely out of the news, suffering many "health scares" and "holing up" with Fidel Castro (remember him?) as Diego attempted to beat his drug habit! Below...1986 in his prime. He died on 25th November 2020 (aged 60)

Maradona was the first player to set the World record transfer fee twice: in 1982 when he transferred to Barcelona for £5 million, and in 1984 when he moved to Napoli for a fee of £6.9 million. He played for Aregntino Juniors, Boca Juniors, Barcelona, Napoli, Sevilla and Newell'sOld Boys during his club career. His most famous for his time at Napoli where he won numerous accolades and led the club to their first Serie A title win only to do it all over again one year later. Maradona also had a troubled off-field life and his time with Napoli ended after he was banned for taking cocaine.

Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
1976–1981	Argentinos Juniors	166	(116)
1981–1982	Boca Juniors	40	(28)
1982–1984	Barcelona	36	(22)
1984–1991	Napoli	188	(81)
1992–1993	Sevilla	26	(5)
1993–1994	Newell's Old Boys	5	(0)
1995–1997	Boca Juniors	30	(7)
Total		491	(259)
International career
1977–1979	Argentina U20	15	(8)
1977–1994	Argentina	91	(34)

Pele scored more goals. Lionel Messi has won more trophies. Both have lived more stable lives than the overweight former cocaine addict who tops this list, whose relationship with football became increasingly strained the longer his career continued. If you've seen Diego Maradona with a football at his feet, you'll understand.  Andrew Murray on Maradona topping FOURFOURTWO magazine's "100 Greatest Footballers Ever" list, July 2017.

 Guillem Balague writing for the BBC in 2020 on 'the magician, the cheat, the god, the flawed genius'. 

 

Maradona (right) and Lionel Messi in The Sisteine Chael of Football painting, on a ceiling of a sports club in Barracas, Buenos Aires.