Diego Maradona

Diego Maradona: images of a unique career

Diego Maradona has died from a cardiac arrest aged 60
The world of football is mourning the loss of the Argentinian star
We look back at some iconic photos from his international and club career

Over the course of his career, Diego Maradona won 11 titles as a player, including two with Argentina: the FIFA World Youth Championship Japan 1979 and the 1986 FIFA World Cup Mexico™. He also lifted five trophies with Italy’s Napoli, among them two Scudetti and the UEFA Cup. Completing the list are the 1981 Argentinian Championship with Boca Juniors and the three titles he won while at Barcelona.

But Maradona's career was less about his silverware than his magical performances on the pitch, both with La Albiceleste and the clubs he represented.

In the colours of Argentina, Maradona left his mark as a player in four editions: Spain 1982, when he was still forging his career; Mexico 1986, a tournament that made him a global sensation thanks to performances like that against England; Italy 1990, where only West Germany prevented him from retaining the world title; and finally USA 1994. As a coach, Maradona would once again indulge his love for the tournament by leading Leo Messi and Co at South Africa 2010. You can enjoy some of his most iconic images from the World Cup in this gallery.

Diego Maradona head coach of Argentina at the 2010 FIFA World Cup

26 Nov 2020

POLOKWANE, SOUTH AFRICA - JUNE 22: Diego Maradona head coach of Argentina smiles before the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa Group B match between Greece and Argentina at Peter Mokaba Stadium on June 22, 2010 in Polokwane, South Africa. (Photo by Paul Gilham - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)

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Diego Maradona head coach of Argentina celebrates during the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa

26 Nov 2020

JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA - JUNE 17: Diego Maradona head coach of Argentina celebrates during the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa Group B match between Argentina and South Korea at Soccer City Stadium on June 17, 2010 in Johannesburg, South Africa. (Photo by Michael Steele/Getty Images)

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Diego Maradona head coach of Argentina talks with Lionel Messi

26 Nov 2020

JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA - JUNE 17: Diego Maradona head coach of Argentina talks with Lionel Messi of Argentina as they celebrate victory after the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa Group B match between Argentina and South Korea at Soccer City Stadium on June 17, 2010 in Johannesburg, South Africa. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)

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1994 World Cup First Round. Boston, USA. 25th June, 1994. Argentina 2 v Nigeria 1. Nigeria's Samson Siasia is tackled by Argentina's Fernando Redondo as Diego Maradona looks on.

26 Nov 2020

1994 World Cup First Round, Boston, USA, 25th June, 1994, Argentina 2 v Nigeria 1, Nigeria's Samson Siasia is tackled by Argentina's Fernando Redondo as Diego Maradona looks on (Photo by Bob Thomas Sports Photography via Getty Images)

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DIEGO MARADONA OF ARGENTINA DURING THE 1994 WORLD CUP MATCH ARGENTINA V GREECE

26 Nov 2020

21 JUN 1994: DIEGO MARADONA OF ARGENTINA DURING THE 1994 WORLD CUP MATCH ARGENTINA V GREECE AT FOXBORO STADIUM IN MASSACHUSETTS. Mandatory Credit: Simon Bruty/ALLSPORT

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Diego Maradona (C) of Argentina falls down after being fouled during the 1990 World Cup final

26 Nov 2020

ROME, ITALY - JULY 8: Diego Maradona (C) of Argentina falls down after being fouled during the World Cup final match between Argentina and Germany at the Olympic Stadium on July 8, 1990 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Bongarts/Getty Images)

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Argentina's Claudio Caniggia celebrates with an emotional Diego Maradona

26 Nov 2020

1990 World Cup Finals, Naples, Italy, 18th June, 1990, Argentina 1 v Romania 1, Argentina's Claudio Caniggia celebrates with an emotional Diego Maradona (Photo by Bob Thomas Sports Photography via Getty Images)

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Diego Maradona of Argentina lifts the trophy and celebrates winning the FIFA World Cup final on 29 June 1986

26 Nov 2020

Diego Maradona of Argentina lifts the trophy and celebrates winning the FIFA World Cup final on 29 June 1986 against West Germany at the Azteca Stadium in Mexico City. Argentina won the match 3-2. (Photo by Mike King/Getty Images)

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Diego Maradona goes flying over the challenges of Harald Schumacher and Karl Heinz Foerster

26 Nov 2020

1986 World Cup Final, Azteca Stadium, Mexico, 29th June, 1986, Argentina 3 v West Germany 2, Argentina's Diego Maradona goes flying over the challenges of West German goalkeeper Harald Schumacher and defender Karl Heinz Foerster (Photo by Bob Thomas Sports Photography via Getty Images)

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Diego Maradona of Argentina celebrates after scoring the second goal against England

26 Nov 2020

Diego Maradona of Argentina celebrates after scoring the second goal against England during a World Cup Quarter-Final match held at the Azteca Stadium, Mexico City on 22nd June 1986. Argentina beat England 2-1. (Bob Thomas Sports Photography via Getty Images).

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Argentina's Diego Maradona scores 1st goal with his Hand of God, past England goalkeeper Peter Shilton.

26 Nov 2020

Sport, Football, 1986 Football World Cup, Mexico, Quarter Final, Argentina 2 v England 1, 22nd June, 1986, Argentina's Diego Maradona scores 1st goal with his Hand of God, past England goalkeeper Peter Shilton (Photo by Bob Thomas Sports Photography via Getty Images)

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Peter Shilton shakes hands with Argentina captain Diego Maradona

26 Nov 2020

22nd June 1986, 1986 World Cup Finals, Quarter Final in Mexico City, England captain Peter Shilton shakes hands with Argentina captain Diego Maradona before the game in which Maradona scored his infamous "hand-ball" goal (Photo by Bob Thomas Sports Photography via Getty Images)

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Diego Maradona grimaces in pain after being fouled by Jung Moo Huh

26 Nov 2020

1986 World Cup Finals, Mexico City, Mexico, 2nd June, 1986, Argentina 3 v South Korea 1, Argentina's Diego Maradona grimaces in pain after being fouled by Jung Moo Huh (Photo by Bob Thomas Sports Photography via Getty Images)

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Diego Maradona is seen in action against Italy during the 1982 World Cup Finals.

26 Nov 2020

Diego Maradona is seen in action against Italy during the 1982 World Cup Finals. Barcelona, Spain, 29th June, 1982, Italy 2 v Argentina 1, Argentina's Diego Maradona (Photo by Bob Thomas Sports Photography via Getty Images)

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Argentina's Diego Maradona gets to the ball

26 Nov 2020

Sport, Football, pic: 2nd July 1982, 1982 World Cup Finals in Spain, Brazil 3 v Argentina 1 in Barcelona, Argentina's Diego Maradona gets to the ball ahead of Brazil's Leandro (Photo by Bob Thomas Sports Photography via Getty Images)

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1982 World Cup Finals in Spain. Italy 2 v Argentina

26 Nov 2020

Sport, Football, pic: 29th June 1982, 1982 World Cup Finals in Spain, Italy 2 v Argentina 0 in Barcelona, Argentina team group, Back row, left-right, Daniel Passarella, Jorge Olguin, Luis Galvan, Mario Kempes, Alberto Tarantini, Ubaldo Fillol, Front row, left-right, Americo Gallego, Osvaldo Ardiles, Ramon Diaz, Diego Maradona, Daniel Bertoni (Photo by Bob Thomas Sports Photography via Getty Images)

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Diego Maradona poses as part of the 1980 Argentina Football Team

26 Nov 2020

View of the Argentina national football team pictured together on a training pitch prior to playing England in an International Friendly match at Wembley Stadium in London on 13th May 1980. Argentina would go on to lose the match 3-1 to England. Players in the squad who went on to play in the match include Ubaldo Fillol, Jorge Olguin, Daniel Passarella, Alberto Tarantini, Juan Barbas, Americo Gallego, Diego Maradona (front row third from left), Jose Valencia, Leopoldo Luque, Santiago Santamaria, Jose Daniel Van Tuyne, Carlos Luis Ischia and Roberto Osvaldo Diaz. (Photo by Paul Popper/Popperfoto via Getty Images)

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Diego Maradona celebrates Argentina victory at the 1979 FIFA World Youth Championships

26 Nov 2020

TOKYO, JAPAN - SEPTEMBER 07: Argentina captain Diego Maradona celebrates on the shoulders of team mates after they had beaten Russia 3-1 to win the 1979 FIFA World Youth Championships at the National Olympic Stadium on September 7, 1979 in Tokyo, Japan. (Photo by Allsport/Getty Images)

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Idol in Europe and Argentina

At club level, El Pibe de Oro played for Argentinos Juniors, Boca Juniors – over two spells – Barcelona, Napoli, Sevilla and Newell's Old Boys, always leaving his mark and earning the adulation of the fans. In this gallery, we’ve collected some of his finest moments.

Napoli captain Diego Maradona celebrates with supporters at the end of the match.

26 Nov 2020

Football, UEFA Cup Final, Second Leg, Naples, Italy, 17th May 1989, Napoli 2 v VfB Stuttgart 1 (Napoli win 5-4 on aggregate), Napoli captain Diego Maradona celebrates with supporters at the end of the match (Photo by Bob Thomas Sports Photography via Getty Images)

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Diego Maradona in action for Boca Juniors

26 Nov 2020

Diego Maradona in action for Boca Juniors during a match in Buenos Aires, June 1981. (Photo by Bob Thomas Sports Photography via Getty Images)

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Diego Maradona - Boca Juniors

26 Nov 2020

Diego Maradona in action for Boca Juniors during a match in Buenos Aires, June 1981. (Photo by Bob Thomas Sports Photography via Getty Images)

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Diego Maradona of Barcelona

26 Nov 2020

1983: Portrait of Diego Maradona of Barcelona after a match against Manchester United at Old Trafford in Manchester, England. \ Mandatory Credit: Allsport UK /Allsport

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Diego Maradona - Barcelona FC

26 Nov 2020

Diego Maradona of Barcelona in action against RSC Anderlecht during a pre-season friendly held at the Constant Vanden Stock Stadium in Brussels on 10th August 1983. The teams drew 1-1. (Photo by Bob Thomas Sports Photography via Getty Images).

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European Cup Winners Cup Quarter-Final 1st Leg - Barcelona v Manchester United

26 Nov 2020

Diego Maradona of Barcelona is challenged by Ray Wilkins of Manchester United (left) during the UEFA European Cup Winners Cup quarter final 1st leg at the Nou Camp in Barcelona, 7th March 1984. Barcelona won 2-0. (Photo by Professional Sport/Popperfoto via Getty Images/Getty Images)

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European Cup Winners Cup Quarter-Final Second Leg: Manchester United v Barcelona

26 Nov 2020

MANCHESTER - MARCH 21: Captain Bryan Robson (left) of Manchester United shakes hands with Barcelona captain Diego Maradona before the European Cup Winners Cup Quarter-Final Second Leg match between Manchester United and Barcelona held on March 21, 1984 at Old Trafford, in Manchester, England. Manchester United won the match 3-0, winning the tie 3-2 on aggregate. (Photo by Trevor Jones/Getty Images)

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Diego Maradona of Napoli SSC

26 Nov 2020

21 Oct 1990: Portrait of Diego Maradona of Napoli SSC before an Italian League match against AC Milan at the San Paolo Stadium in Naples, Italy. The match ended in a 1-1 draw. \ Mandatory Credit: Simon Bruty/Allsport

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BT Italian League Serie A, pic: 17th April 1988, Juventus 3 v Naples 1, Napoli's Diego Maradona in a race for the ball with Luigi De Agostini of Juventus,Diego Maradona won 91 Argentina caps between 1977-1994

26 Nov 2020

Italian League Serie A, pic: 17th April 1988, Juventus 3 v Naples 1, Napoli's Diego Maradona in a race for the ball with Luigi De Agostini of Juventus,Diego Maradona won 91 Argentina caps between 1977-1994 (Photo by Bob Thomas Sports Photography via Getty Images)

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Diego Maradona of Napoli

26 Nov 2020

21 Oct 1990: Diego Maradona of Napoli places the ball on the penalty spot during a match against AC Milan at the San Paolo Stadium in Naples, Italy. \ Mandatory Credit: Simon Bruty/Allsport

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Ruud Gullit of AC Milan and Diego Maradona of Napoli wait for the ball to be passed

26 Nov 2020

May 1988: Ruud Gullit of AC Milan and Diego Maradona in action during the Italian Serie A in Napoli, Italy. Milan won the match 3-2. \ Mandatory Credit: Allsport UK /Allsport

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