FOOTBALL LEGENDS

Diego Armando Maradona was the former Argentine footballer. He was born in Lanus, Buenos Aires on the 30th October 1960. Now he is 49 years old. Now, he is the current coach of Argentine football team. He shared award with Pele from Brazil for International Federation of Association Football (FIFA) Player of the Century. In his senior career, he played for Argentinos Juniors, Boca Juniors, Barcelona, Napoli, Sevilla, Newell Old Boys. His nickname is 'El Pibe de Oro' which means the golden boy.

During his career, Napoli was where he has won many trophies and reached the peak of his professional career. He made Napoli the most successful team during the era. At Napoli, he scored 81 goals from 188 appearances. In Napoli, he won Serie A Italian Championships in 1986/87 and 1989/1990, finished second in 1987/1988 and 1988/89, Coppa Italia in 1987 and second place in 1989, UEFA Cup in1990, Italian Supercup in 1990, in 1987/88 he was the top scorer in Serie A. Maradona personal problems during his career in Italy where he used cocaine and his reason was because of stress. He was banned for 15 months and left Napoli for Sevilla in 1992. Maradona played for Tottenham Hotspurs during testimonial for his friend Ossie Ardilles.

In his international career, he won 91 capped and scored 34 goals. On the 27th February 1977, it was historical day for Maradona, it was his debut for Argentina where he was just sixteen years old. In 1982, he played his first World Cup, played five matches and scored twice. 1986 World Cup was the memorable year for Maradona where he led Argentina to triumph. They won the World Cup against West Germany in final , at Mexico. Mexican fans and football fans were so lucky to see incredible perfomance by Maradona. During the quarter final, he scored two great goals. First, he scored with his hands, referee must thought he used his head so the goal was allowed, leaving the England fans in anger. This goal was also known as 'Hand of God'. The second goal, he showed his quality in dribbling where he go past six men and scored. That goal was voted by FIFA for the greatest goal in history of World Cup.

Now I am going to talk about his playing style. Standing at just 165cm tall, he has low center of gravity to give him an advantage in short sprints. Eventhough he looked small but he could withstand pressure. Maradona was a strategist and team player and highly technical on the ball. He was also a free-kick spcialists.

Now Maradona has a chance to win trophy again but this time as a manager. This 2010 World Cup will be his chance to lift Argentina again.