The game of football as it is played today was invented in England in the 19th century.The man usually considered to be the greatest football player in history is Diego Armando Maradona (born on 30 October 1960) of Argentina,considered to be even greater than Pele,the Brazilian player.But many do not know he could have been even greater were it not for the fact that during his best years he was a cocaine addict,and he was a regular consumer.Who knows what he would have achieved had he never touched drugs.This article concentrates more on the human side of Maradona.One must never assume anything and many,many football fans know little about his dramatic life.

Diego Maradona- ‘We are doing our duty, which is to defend the Argentinian shirt’

Diego Maradona was raised in a shantytown of of Buenos Aires, to a poor family.In 2000, Maradona published his autobiography “Yo Soy El Diego” (“I am The Diego”), which became an instant bestseller in Argentina.

It was formerly believed Maradona was of Italian descent because Argentina has received 3 million Italian immigrants, and the Argentines even speak Spanish with an Italian accent.But that is not the case,the first Maradona to arrive in Argentina was from Galicia,Spain,and he came in the 18th century,when Argentina was still a Spanish colony.

About the FIFA World Cup and Maradona

It is the most popular sports event in the world and football is the world’s best loved game.Every 4 years there is the FIFA World Cup lasting 30 days.Maradona participated in his first World Cup in 1982,in which Italy won the championship.But in 1986 Argentina won it and it was very controversial. Maradona was then the captain of the Argentine team.

Argentina made it to the finals but only after defeating England 2 to 1 in a game that has become famous for 2 reasons:

1.The “Hand of God” incident by Maradona

2.That 4 minutes later he scored the most amazing,astonishing goal in football history.

The famous “Hand of God” incident

The first goal was via an unpenalized handball known as the “Hand of God”.TV replays show that the first goal was scored by striking the ball with his hand. Maradona describe it as “a little with the head of Maradona and a little with the hand of God.” It became known as the “Hand of God”. Finally in August 2005 Maradona acknowledged that he had hit the ball with his hand purposely, and no contact with his head was made, and that he immediately knew the goal was illegitimate.

Here is the Video with the “Hand of God” Incident

The “Greatest Goal of the Century” by Maradona

Maradona’s second goal, just four minutes later was when he received the ball and ran 60 meters,more than half the length of the field, dribbling past five English players and goalkeeper Peter Shilton. This goal was voted “Goal of the Century” in a 2002 online poll conducted by FIFA.

Here is the Video where Maradona makes the Second Goal

Maradona and Cocaine and other Drugs

1.From the mid-1980s until 2004 Diego Maradona was addicted to cocaine.It seems he began using it in 1983 at age 23 and it interfered with his ability to play football.

2.He was suspended from football for 15 months in 1991 after failing a drug test, for cocaine, in Italy, and he was sent home from the 1994 World Cup in the USA after testing positive for ephedrine.That was the end of his career.

Maradona almost died of a cocaine overdose

On 18 April 2004, doctors reported that Maradona had suffered a major myocardial infarction following a cocaine overdose; he was admitted to intensive care in a Buenos Aires hospital. Scores of fans gathered around the clinic. He was taken off the respirator on 23 April and remained in intensive care for several days before being discharged on 29 April.It was then that he finally stopped it.

A Supporter of Fidel Castro and Hugo Chavez

He became friends with Cuban dictator Fidel Castro and in his autobiography dedicated the book to several people including Fidel Castro, he wrote “To Fidel Castro and, through him, all the Cuban people”.

Maradona is also a supporter of Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez. In 2005 he visited Venezuela with the specific aim of meeting Chávez, who received him.After this meeting Maradona claimed that he had come to meet a “great man” (“un grande” in Spanish) but he had met instead a gigantic man (“un gigante” in Spanish, meaning he was more than great).Maradona has even said:”I believe in Chávez, I am Chavista. Everything Fidel does, everything Chávez does, for me is the best.”

Thanks to Brando who wrote this great article for us.