Diego Maradona Success Story

After the World Cup, Maradona was transferred to Spanish side FC Barcelona for world record fees of $7.6 million. In 1983, Maradona was able to keep his focus and guided the team to win the Copa del Rey and Spanish Super Cup. He had a very successful two years with the side scoring 38 goals in a total of 58 games. But off field problems with the staff and players forced him to be transferred to Italian side Napoli for another World record fee of $10.5 million. He was called for captaining the Argentinean national side for the 1986 World Cup.

Maradona was the centre of the media attraction and was shouldering huge responsibility being the star player of the world. This World Cup became the most celebrated moment in Maradona’s career as he guided his team single-handedly to win the championship. He was never substituted throughout the whole tournament and played nearly every minute of every Argentina game. He made a total of 5 stunning goals and 5 assists for which he was given the Golden Ball Award for being the best player in the tournament. His goal versus England in the quarterfinals in which he dribbled past five English players and covered half the field has been named by FIFA as the ‘Goal of the Century’.

Maradona had already become the poster boy of football with his unbelievable achievements at such a young age. But his success was only to be continued. He played for his club Napoli and continued his sensational form from the World Cup. In 1986/87 and 1989/90, he led his team to win the Serie A Italian Championships. 

In 1987/88 and 1988/89, his team finished second. These were the most dominant years that Napoli had seen, all because of an Argentinean sensation called Diego Maradona. In 1990, Maradona again captained his national side but this time he could only lead his team to the World Cup finals. 

"When you win, you don't get carried away. But if you go step by step, with confidence, you can go far." - Diego Armando Maradona Franco 

With this achievement Maradona had been raised as one of the greatest players of the 20^th century. In the year 2000 he was voted as the ‘FIFA Player of the Century’ along with Pele. The dominance that Maradona has displayed from 1983-1990 is nearly impossible to replicate. This has been the result of the hardwork and determination that he has put into improving and sustaining his immense talent. From living in a famished neighbourhood, Maradona has gone on to become one of the most popular personalities in the world because of his amazing skills and achievements in football. 

The Best of Diego Maradona