Diego Maradona is one of the greatest football legends in history, known for his extraordinary talent and profound influence in international football. Born in Argentina, he not only conquered fans with his skillful techniques but also with his historic moments on the field. Maradona's career and life is an inspiring story, with glorious peaks and also no shortage of challenges and hardships in his personal life. Maradona is not only a sports icon, but also a living legend, the pride of the Argentine people. To better understand who is Maradona and questions like who is better Pele or Maradona?, follow Wintips to follow the article below, where football experts will analyze this legend in detail.
Who is Maradona?
Diego Maradona is one of the greatest legends in the history of world football, considered one of the best players of all time. Born on October 30, 1960 in Lanús, Argentina, Maradona was known for his natural talent and technical prowess. He began his professional football career at a very young age and quickly became a star for the Argentina national team and famous clubs, including Barcelona and Napoli.
One of the most memorable moments in Maradona's career was at the 1986 World Cup in Mexico, where he led Argentina to victory. During the tournament, Maradona scored two famous goals in the quarter-final match against England: the "Hand of God" and the "Goal of the Century", when he ran through the entire opposing team's defense to score. These are unforgettable moments in football history, affirming Maradona's talent and influence.
In addition to his successes on the field, Maradona also encountered many controversies in his career, related to his lifestyle and personal affairs. However, there is no denying that Maradona had a profound influence on global football and was a symbol of passion and desire to win. Maradona passed away on November 25, 2020, but his legacy will live on in the hearts of football fans around the world.
Diego Maradona outstanding achievements
Diego Maradona is one of the great legends of world football, with countless admirable achievements in his career. These achievements not only demonstrate his outstanding talent but also demonstrate Maradona's dedication and profound influence on the king sport. Here are some of the most outstanding achievements in his career:
Winning the 1986 World Cup with Argentina
This is the most brilliant achievement in Maradona's career. He was the soul of the Argentina team at the 1986 World Cup, where he not only left his mark with excellent football but also left behind legendary moments. In the quarter-final match against England, Maradona scored two memorable goals: "The Hand of God" and "The Goal of the Century", when he went through the opponent's defense. Along with this victory, Maradona was awarded the Best Player of the Tournament, affirming his talent and position in world football.
Best south American player of the year 1979
In 1979, at the age of 19, Maradona won the Best South American Player award, making a big mark in his career with the Argentinos Juniors club. This award not only helped Maradona become famous worldwide but also was an important turning point, opening the door for him to join big clubs and contribute to the Argentina national team. This achievement marked the beginning of an illustrious career.
Helping Napoli win Serie A
Maradona led Napoli to resounding success in the years 1984-1991. Under his leadership, Napoli won two Serie A titles in 1987 and 1990, along with the Coppa Italia in 1987 and the UEFA Cup in 1989. This was the most successful period in the club's history, and Maradona became an eternal symbol of Napoli, loved and honored by fans for life.
FIFA player of the Century
In 2000, in a FIFA poll, Maradona was named "Player of the Century" along with Pelé. This was a well-deserved recognition for a football legend, recognizing his talent, contributions and great influence on the sport. Maradona is considered one of the greatest players of all time, with impressive achievements and skillful football.
5 times top scorer in Argentina
During his playing career in Argentina, Maradona won the award for top scorer in the country 5 times. This proves his excellent and consistent scoring ability right from the beginning of his career. From his time playing for Argentinos Juniors to Boca Juniors, Maradona made a strong mark, becoming a shining star of Argentine football.
These achievements not only affirm Diego Maradona's natural talent but also prove his great dedication to world football. Maradona's legacy will live forever in the hearts of fans, and he is remembered as one of the immortal legends of the king sport.
Who is better Maradona or Pele?
The comparison between Pele or Maradona who is better is one of the hot topics and it is difficult to conclude clearly because both are legends with their own achievements, styles and influences. However, if we look at many aspects, we can see the clear difference between these two stars.
International achievements and titles
Pele is the only player in history to win 3 World Cup championships (1958, 1962, 1970), an extremely impressive achievement that is hard to match. He also scored a total of 1281 goals in more than 1300 matches, showing outstanding stability throughout his career. Maradona, although he only won the World Cup once (1986), left a strong impression on fans with legendary moments such as the "Hand of God" goal and the "Goal of the Century" in the quarter-finals of the 1986 World Cup, helping Argentina win the championship. In terms of the number of international titles, Pele clearly has the upper hand, but Maradona scores points thanks to his beautiful moves and special influence at a World Cup.
Playing style and technique
Pele stands out for his all-round ability, can play in many different positions and is a creative, powerful but also technical player. His speed, flexibility and scoring ability are excellent. Meanwhile, Maradona is known for his outstanding individual technique, the ability to dribble past many opposing players and excellent tactical passes. Maradona was the type of player who could change the course of a match with his unique and creative moves. Both possessed excellent football skills, but Maradona was perhaps better in terms of creativity and ability to dominate the game in difficult situations.
Influence and legacy
Pele was not only a legend on the pitch but also a global icon of football, helping Brazilian and world football to flourish. He had a profound influence and contributed to promoting football globally, becoming a star beyond the sport. Maradona, although not as successful as Pele, was an icon of Argentine football and was closely associated with the success of Napoli, where he helped the team win the Serie A championship and other titles. Maradona was not only famous for his talent but also for his rebellious lifestyle and strong personality, which helped him create a very special legacy and leave a deep impression on fans.
In terms of trophies and consistency, Pele is arguably the better player. However, in terms of influence, creativity and special moments, Maradona is in a class of his own, with the ability to make history and leave an indelible mark on every game. Both are football legends with their own achievements, styles and legacies, and the question of who is better Diego Maradona or Pele is still a never-ending debate.
Conclusion
So through the above article, do you understand clearly about who is Maradona? Maradona is not only honored for his outstanding talent on the field but also for his uncompromising fighting spirit and the profound influence he left on football culture. His mesmerizing dribbling and ability to change the game in just a few seconds have made Maradona capture the hearts of millions of fans around the world. His career is not only about titles, but also a symbol of passion and perseverance. Regardless of the level of play, from club to national team, Maradona has always been a model of creativity and courage, which helps him to be forever engraved in the hearts of football lovers as an immortal legend.
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