Diego Maradona turns 59: Career overview of Argentine legend

Diego Maradona is widely regarded as one of the greatest football players of all time. He was given the nickname 'El Pibe de Oro' (The Golden Boy), a name that stuck with him throughout his career. On his birthday, we look at the career path of the Argentine.

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Diego Maradona: Glorious debut 

On 20 October 1976, Maradona made his professional debut for Argentinos Juniors vs Talleres de Cordoba and became the youngest player in the history of Argentine Primera Division. Few minutes after debuting, Maradona kicked the ball through Juan Domingo Cabrera's legs, making a nutmeg that would become legendary.

After five years and 115 goals, he moved to Boca Juniors where he had one successful season, winning the league title; the only title won by Maradona in the Argentine domestic league.

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Diego Maradona: European Dominance

In 1982, Maradona transferred to Barcelona for a then world-record fee of a reported £5 million. In 1983, Maradona won the Copa del Rey beating Real Madrid, and the Spanish Super Cup beating Athletic Bilbao. On 26 June 1983, Barcelona defeated Real Madrid where Maradona scored and became the first Barcelona player to be applauded by archrival Real Madrid fans.

In 1984, Maradona moved to Napoli, where reached the peak of his professional career while also inheriting the captain's armband. In his time at the club, Napoli had the most successful era in its history winning the Serie A twice along with one each of the UEFA Cup (now Europa League) and the Coppa Italia. Maradona made a total of 245 appearances scoring 115 goals in seven seasons with the club. He was the all-time leading goalscorer for Napoli until his record was broken by Marek Hamšík in 2017. In honour of Maradona and his achievements during his career at Napoli, the number 10 jersey of Napoli was officially retired.

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Diego Maradona: Twilight

Maradona left Napoli in 1992 after he was handed a 15-month ban for drug abuse. Despite interest from Real Madrid and Marseille, he signed for Sevilla, where he stayed for one year. In 1993, he returned to Argentina to play for Newell's Old Boys before returning to Boca Juniors. Diego Maradona retired from competitive football on his 37th birthday in 1997.

Diego Maradona: International Highlights

Before the1986 FIFA World Cup, Maradona made 91 appearances for Argentina scoring 34 goals, of which 8 came in the World Cups. Maradona captained his side in the 1986 World Cup win which took the Argentine to legendary status in his home country. He played every minute of every Argentina game, scoring five goals and making five assists also winning the golden ball. His goal in their 2-1 quarter-final win over England has been infamously called as the 'Hand of God'. 

Despite having such an illustrious career, the Argentine has seen also seen a fair share of drama behind the scene. There is no doubt, however, that he is one of the best ever to grace the game of football.

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