Argentine football legend Maradona remembered on 3rd anniversary of his death

By Yunus Kaymaz

ISTANBUL (AA) - Diego Armando Maradona won nine championships during his career, including with Boca Juniors, Barcelona, and Napoli, and also led the Argentine National Team to victory in the 1986 World Cup.

Seen by many as best football player in history along with Brazilian legend Pele, Maradona was born on Oct. 30, 1960 in Buenos Aires.

Born to a factory worker father and a housewife mother, Maradona's talent was discovered at the age of 8 when he started playing for his neighborhood team, Estrella Roja.

Maradona, who signed a professional contract with Argentinos Juniors before turning 16, won the league championship with Boca Juniors in 1981, then transferred to Spanish La Liga powerhouse Barcelona.

- European career

Maradona scored 38 goals in 58 matches for the Spanish club between 1982 and 1984, helping them win the Copa del Rey, Spanish Super Cup, and La Liga Cup in 1983.

After joining Napoli in 1984, he scored 115 goals in 259 matches to lead the club to two Serie A championships, as well as a UEFA Cup, Italian Cup, and Italian Super Cup, making him a club legend.

Maradona, who played for Sevilla, Newell's Old Boys, finally his former team Boca Juniors and tallied 312 goals in 588 matches, ended his career in 1997.

- Maradona led Argentina to clinch World Cup

Maradona made his name known worldwide with his superior performance at the FIFA World Cup, which Argentina won in 1986.

Diego, who sowed controversy with a goal he scored with his hand against England in the quarterfinals of the tournament, then dribbled the ball 60 meters and beat five players to score a legendary goal in the match.

The latter was voted “the goal of the century" by FIFA in 2002.

Argentina walked through to the final to win the 1986 World Cup by beating West Germany 3-2.

Maradona scored 34 goals in 91 caps for Argentina.

- Shadow of scandals

Maradona, who played a major role in Argentina reaching the final of the 1990 World Cup, was sentenced to 15 months for drug use in 1991.

He was expelled from the 1994 World Cup for using banned substances.

It was also rumored that Maradona was charged with tax debts of more than €37 million between 1984 and 1991, during his time with Napoli.

- Unsuccessful coaching career

Diego, who coached Textil Mandiyu in 1994 and Racing in 1995 with his Argentinos Juniors teammate Carlos Fren, was appointed head coach of the Argentine National Team in 2008, replacing Alfio Basile.

Maradona was fired after Argentina lost 4-0 to Germany in the quarterfinals of the 2010 World Cup.

After insulting the media after Argentina's victory against Uruguay in the 2010 World Cup qualifiers, he was handed a two-month penalty by FIFA.

*Writing by Selcuk Bugra Gokalp​​​​​​​