top 10 greatest football players of all time - 3 - Diego Maradona

10 November 2011 09:06
When people are asked to name the best players in the world, Maradona is either the first or second player on most peoples lips along with that unforgetable goal and the other unforgetable goal. His talent in midfield or as a second striker was extraordinary, able to brilliantly link play or take on whole teams seemingly single-handed.

Later in his career it emerged he had an addictive personality, with both cocaine and drink being his demons although unlike other stars he emerged at the other end although hardly phoenix-like, at least mostly intact to become manager of the national team.

Maradona is much better known for playing for his country than for a club team. He made Argentina one of the most feared teams of the 1980s for good reason. In the 1986 World Cup quarterfinal round, he scored both goals in a 2–1 victory over England that entered football history, though for two different reasons. The first goal was via an unpenalized handball known as the "Hand of God", while the second goal followed a 60m (66 yd) dribble through six England players, voted 'The Goal of the Century'.

Honours: In his international career, playing for Argentina, he earned 91 caps and scored 34 goals.

He played in four FIFA World Cup tournaments, including the 1986 tournament, where he captained Argentina and led them to their victory over West Germany in the final, winning the Golden Ball award as the tournament's best player.
World Cup 1986



Full nameDiego Armando Maradona
Date of birth30 October 1960
Place of birthLanús, Buenos Aires, Argentina
Height1.65 m (5 ft 5 in)
Playing positionAttacking Midfielder
Second Striker

Maradona image



Source: DSG