Diego Maradona had an enormous influence on the world of soccer – but his fame also had its dark sides.
Today marks the fifth anniversary of the death of one of the greatest footballers of all time: Diego Armando Maradona. On November 25, 2020, "El Pibe de Oro" died at the age of 60. Yet the brilliance of his name remains unbroken to this day – in the stadium, on the streets of Argentina, and in the memories of millions of football fans.
From Street Kid To Global Superstar
Maradona was born in 1960 in a poor neighborhood of Buenos Aires. His talent stood out early: at the age of ten, he amazed crowds as a ball wizard for "Los Cebollitas," the youth team of Argentinos Juniors. Even as a teenager, it was clear that he was more than just a promising talent.
His professional career led him from Argentinos Juniors and Boca Juniors to Europe, first to FC Barcelona. But it was only in Naples that Maradona became a legend. Between 1984 and 1991, he turned the city into his kingdom. Under his leadership, SSC Napoli won the only league titles in the club’s history in 1987 and 1990. Even today, murals of him hang all over Naples, as if he were a saint.
The Hand Of God And The Goal Of The Century
Maradona was both genius and provocateur – nobody embodied this contradiction better than he did at the 1986 World Cup in Mexico. In the quarterfinal against England, he scored two of the most famous goals in football history within just a few minutes: first, the controversial "Hand of God" goal, then a solo run from nearly half the pitch, later hailed as the "Goal of the Century."
Argentina became world champion, and Maradona became immortal.
A Complicated Hero
Maradona’s life was also marked by deep struggles: drug excesses, health problems, scandals, and conflicts with officials followed him throughout his career. Yet it was precisely his flaws that made him human to so many. He was not only an idol, but a reflection – a child of the streets who never forgot where he came from. His rebellious stance against power structures in football is still admired by fans and players today.
A Legacy That Lives On
In 2025, Maradona is far more than a name in history books. In Argentina, the largest stadium in Buenos Aires now bears his name. In Naples, fans visit pilgrimage sites at murals and altars dedicated to him. Young players cite him alongside Messi and Pelé as inspiration. His style – full of creativity, unpredictability, and pure passion – remains a model for a football culture that goes beyond statistics and results.
Maradona changed football not through numbers, but through emotion. He embodied the game as an art form that connects people, no matter where they come from.
Today, on November 25, 2025, fans around the world remember Diego Maradona – the artist, the dreamer, the rebel. His goals live on in videos, his personality in stories, and his myth in the hearts of those who saw him play.