No footballer has inspired more devotion, or more debate, than Diego Armando Maradona. Born in 1960 in Villa Fiorito, a shanty town on the edge of Buenos Aires, he became the embodiment of street football: small, stocky and impossible to knock off the ball, with a left foot that could do anything.
Below you'll find Diego Maradona's fact file, career history and honours, plus our Diego Maradona collection of hoodies and T-shirts.
Diego Maradona Fact File
| Full name | Diego Armando Maradona |
|---|---|
| Date of birth | 30 October 1960 |
| Place of birth | Lanús, Buenos Aires, Argentina |
| Died | 25 November 2020 (aged 60) |
| Height | 1.65 m (5 ft 5 in) |
| Position | Attacking midfielder / second striker |
| Nationality | Argentine |
| Status | Retired (died 2020) |
| Shirt number | 10 |
| Nickname | El Pibe de Oro ("The Golden Boy") |
Career History
| Years | Team | Apps | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| 1977–1994 | Argentina | 91 | 34 |
League appearances and goals; international figures are caps and goals.
Argentinos Juniors and Boca
Maradona made his professional debut for Argentinos Juniors ten days before his 16th birthday and quickly became a national phenomenon. A move to Boca Juniors in 1981 brought the league title and cemented his place in Argentine hearts. To this day, La Bombonera remains one of the spiritual homes of his legend. Celebrate this chapter with our Diego Maradona World Cup Sticker Men's Hoodie.
Napoli: A God in the South
After two injury-hit years at Barcelona, Maradona joined Napoli in 1984. What happened next is football folklore. He dragged an unfashionable southern club to its first ever Serie A title in 1987, added a second in 1990 and won the UEFA Cup in 1989. In Naples he is still treated as a saint; the club's stadium now bears his name. Relive it with our Diego Maradona Legend 8-Bit Men's Hoodie.
Mexico 1986
The 1986 World Cup was Maradona's masterpiece. In the quarter-final against England he scored two of the most famous goals in history within four minutes: the infamous "Hand of God", then a solo run from his own half past five England players that was later voted the Goal of the Century. He captained Argentina to the trophy and was named the player of the tournament. Wear the legend with our Claudio Caniggia & Maradona Boca Juniors Icon Frame Men's Hoodie.
A Complicated Hero
Maradona's life off the pitch was turbulent, and he never hid his flaws. But that's part of why people loved him: he felt human, rebellious and real. When he died in November 2020, the outpouring of grief from Buenos Aires to Naples showed just how much he meant to people.
Honours
Argentina
- FIFA World Cup: 1986
- FIFA U-20 World Cup: 1979
Napoli
- Serie A: 1987, 1990
- UEFA Cup: 1989
- Coppa Italia: 1987
Boca Juniors
- Argentine Metropolitano: 1981
Barcelona
- Copa del Rey: 1983
Individual
- World Cup Golden Ball: 1986
Off the Pitch
Maradona later managed Argentina, including at the 2010 World Cup, and coached clubs in Argentina, the UAE and Mexico. His life was marked by well-documented personal struggles, but his popularity never faded: murals of Diego cover walls from Buenos Aires to Naples.
FAQs
When was Diego Maradona born and when did he die?
Diego Maradona was born on 30 October 1960 in Lanús, Buenos Aires, Argentina and died on 25 November 2020, aged 60.
How tall was Diego Maradona?
Diego Maradona stood 1.65 m (5 ft 5 in).
What teams did Diego Maradona play for?
Argentinos Juniors, Boca Juniors, Barcelona, Napoli, Sevilla and Newell's Old Boys, plus Argentina.
What was the Hand of God goal?
In the 1986 World Cup quarter-final against England, Maradona punched the ball into the net. Afterwards he said it was scored "a little with the head of Maradona and a little with the hand of God".
Why is Maradona a legend in Naples?
He led Napoli to their first ever Serie A title in 1987, a second in 1990 and the UEFA Cup in 1989. The club's stadium is now named after him.
Did Maradona win the World Cup?
Yes. He captained Argentina to victory at the 1986 World Cup in Mexico and was named the tournament's best player.
Shop the Diego Maradona Collection
Celebrate Diego Maradona with our made-to-order hoodies and T-shirts, printed in England in men's and kids' sizes.
See every design in the full Diego Maradona collection, or browse more football legends. Want your own name on the back? Try our custom name hoodie.
Part of our Player Profiles series. Read next: Lionel Messi and Pelé.
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