DIEGO MARADONA
Maradona was an outstanding natural talent and played football from an early age. He was snapped up at just 10 by Los Cebollitas, a junior team belonging to Argentinos Juniors. Diego Maradona made his debut for the Argentinos Juniors senior team in 1976.
From 1981 to 1982 he played for Boca Juniors (he had a second spell there from 1995 to 1997), but in 1982 he signed for Barcelona for £4.8 million.
Diego Maradona continued his spell in Europe when he was transferred to Napoli for £6.9 million in 1984. He stayed there until 1991 and then had short spells with Seville, Newell's Old Boys, and Boca Juniors again, before retiring from playing.
Maradona's greatest club successes came with Napoli, including winning the Italian league in 1987 and 1990 and the UEFA Cup in 1989.
However, it was on the international stage that Diego Maradona had his most notable results and performances.
Diego Maradona's 91 caps for Argentina included four World Cups (1982, 1986, 1990, and 1994).
His 34 international goals incuded the infamous 'hand of God' goal against England during the 1986 World Cup. Maradona's other goal in that game, ironically, was one of the best goals seen on the world stage.
Argentina won the match 2-1 and went on to win the World Cup itself.
Maradona has been no stranger to controversy on and off the pitch, and, in 1991, he was banned for 15 months after failing a drugs test.
Maradona also tested positive for banned drugs at the 1994 World Cup.
As well as having a drug addiction problem, which he had treated in Cuba, Diego Maradona has had troubles with his finances.
He reportedly owes the Italian authorities 30 million Euros in back taxes and in 2006, Italian police stripped Maradona of two Rolex watches in part payment.
In 2007 Argentina's central bank said it was investigating Maradona for alleged financial irregularities.
Since his retirement from football Maradona has suffered from fluctuating health and weight problems.
In 2007, Diego Maradona had health problems again and was admitted to hospital.
Nicknamed 'El Grande' in Argentina, where they so respect him that they have retired the Number 10 shirt, Maradona has two daughters, Dalma and Giannina.
On 4 November 2008, Diego Maradona was confirmed as the new head coach of Argentina.
Diego Maradona launched a controversial tirade on live TV after his Argentinian side qualified for the 2010 finals.
Soon after Argentina got beaten by Germany in the quarter-finals of the World Cup, it was confirmed on 27 July 2010 that the Argentine Football Association had voted to remove Diego Maradona and appoint Sergio Batista as caretaker coach.
