FIFA fetes 60th birthday of Argentinian legend Maradona

By Can Erozden

ANKARA (AA) - FIFA celebrated the birthday of Diego Armando Maradona as the Argentine football legend turned 60 on Friday.

"A big birthday for a colossal talent. As he turns 60, we pay tribute to the one and only Diego Maradona," FIFA World Cup said on Twitter.

FIFA also posted a video of Maradona scoring goals for the Argentinian national team during a World Cup play.

The video features a very famous goal of Maradona – called "The hand of God" – which he scored against England in the 1986 FIFA World Cup quarterfinals.

Argentina eliminated England 2-1 to march into the semis in Mexico.

Maradona netted one of his goals with his hand against England in that match but the referee was unable to notice his trick. As there was not a VAR (Video Assistant Referee) technology in 1986, the goal was not disallowed for handball.

The 25-year-old Maradona was the Argentina captain when he helped his nation win the 1986 World Cup.

Known for his pace, high technique and dribble skills, Maradona was a versatile player on the pitch as he could play as an attacking midfielder and forward.

Maradona played for Argentina in four World Cup tournaments, Spain 82, Mexico 86, Italy 90, and the US 94.

He had 21 World Cup appearances to score 8 goals and produce 8 assists.

In addition to his World Cup victory in Mexico, Maradona claimed the runner-up medal in the 1990 World Cup.

He scored 34 goals in 90 international caps for Argentina.

Meanwhile his former club Napoli honored Maradona, sharing a video on Twitter, showing his goals for the Italian club.

Maradona played for Argentina's Boca Juniors, Spanish clubs Barcelona and Sevilla, and Italian club Napoli.

The Argentine national was a beloved Napoli player as he won two Italian Serie A titles in 1987 and 1990 as well as the 1989 UEFA Cup with Napoli.

He managed the Argentine national team for the 2010 World Cup but failed in this tournament.

Maradona's men were eliminated in the quarterfinals over a shocking 4-0 loss to Germany in Cape Town, South Africa.