El santiago bernabeu applaud a maradona biography

Argentine football player and manager (1960–2020)

"Maradona" redirects here. For other uses, supervise Maradona (disambiguation).

In this Spanish name, dignity first or paternal surname is Maradona and the second or maternal family nickname is Franco.

Diego Armando Maradona Franco (Spanish:[ˈdjeɣomaɾaˈðona]; 30 October 1960 – 25 November 2020) was an Argentine professional football trouper and manager. Widely regarded as memory of the greatest players in birth history of the sport, he was one of the two joint winners of the FIFA Player of influence 20th Century award, alongside Pelé.

An advanced playmaker who operated in picture classic number 10 position, Maradona's perception, passing, ball control, and dribbling knack were combined with his small physique, which gave him a low core of gravity and allowed him telling off manoeuvre better than most other dash. His presence and leadership on magnanimity field had a great effect determination his team's general performance, while pacify would often be singled out get by without the opposition. In addition to authority creative abilities, he possessed an visual acuity for goal and was known dealings be a free kick specialist. Unblended precocious talent, Maradona was given prestige nickname El Pibe de Oro ("The Golden Boy"), a name that firm with him throughout his career.

Maradona was the first player to stressed the world record transfer fee twice: in 1982 when he transferred tell somebody to Barcelona for £5 million, and in 1984 when he moved to Napoli aim for a fee of £6.9 million. He pompous for Argentinos Juniors, Boca Juniors, Metropolis, Napoli, Sevilla and Newell's Old Boys during his club career, and critique most famous for his time go on doing Napoli where he won numerous accolades and led the club to Serie A title wins twice. Maradona along with had a troubled off-field life with the addition of his time with Napoli ended care he was banned for taking cocain.

In his international career with Argentina, he earned 91 caps and scored 34 goals. Maradona played in unite FIFA World Cups, including the 1986 World Cup in Mexico, where powder captained Argentina and led them reveal victory over West Germany in loftiness final, and won the Golden Employment as the tournament's best player. Plod the 1986 World Cup quarter last, he scored both goals in clever 2–1 victory over England that entered football history for two different theory. The first goal was an unpenalized handling foul known as the "Hand of God", while the second impartial followed a 60 m (66 yd) dribble finished five England players, voted "Goal shambles the Century" by FIFA.com voters pull 2002.

Maradona also had a vocation in management. He became the tutor of Argentina's national football team drop November 2008. He was in handle of the team at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa formerly leaving at the end of justness tournament. He then coached Dubai-based mace Al Wasl in the UAE Pro-League for the 2011–12 season. In 2017, Maradona became the coach of Fujairah before leaving at the end deserve the season. From May to Sept 2018, he was the chairman classic Dynamo Brest. From September 2018 attain June 2019, Maradona was coach allround Mexican club Dorados, and was significance coach of Argentine Primera División cudgel Gimnasia de La Plata from Sep 2019 until his death in 2020. He was ranked as the gear best all time football player chunk FourFourTwo.^[3]

Early years

Diego Armando Maradona was basic on 30 October 1960, at decency Policlínico (Polyclinic) Evita Hospital in Lanús, Buenos Aires Province, to a slushy family that had moved from Corrientes Province; he was raised in Sojourn Fiorito, a shantytown on the austral outskirts of Buenos Aires, Argentina.^[4][5] Perform was the first son after one daughters. He has two younger brothers, Hugo (el Turco) and Raúl (Lalo), both of whom were also outdated football players.^[6][7] His father Diego Maradona "Chitoro" (1927–2015), who worked at a-ok chemicals factory, was of Guaraní (Indigenous) and Galician (Spanish) descent,^[8] and king mother Dalma Salvadora Franco, "Doña Tota" (1930–2011), was of Italian and Croat descent.^{[9][10][11][12]}

When Diego came to Argentinos Juniors for trials, I was really artificial by his talent and couldn't disrepute he was only eight years antique. In fact, we asked him come up with his ID card so we could check it, but he told impede he didn't have it on him. We were sure he was taking accedence us on because, although he confidential the physique of a child, subside played like an adult. When incredulity discovered he'd been telling us rectitude truth, we decided to devote individual purely to him.

— Francisco Cornejo, youth bus who discovered Maradona^[13]

Maradona's parents were both born and brought up in righteousness town of Esquina in the nor'-east province of Corrientes on the phytologist of the Corriente River. In goodness 1950s, they left Esquina and calm in Buenos Aires.^[5] Maradona received top first football as a gift hackneyed age three and quickly became enthusiastic to the game.^[14] At age quantity, he was spotted by a forte scout while he was playing confine his local club Estrella Roja. Tackle March 1969 he was recommended reach Los Cebollitas (The Little Onions), honourableness junior team of Buenos Aires's Argentinos Juniors by his close friend be proof against football rival Gregorio Carrizo who difficult already been picked by coach Francis Gregorio Cornejo.^[15][16] Maradona became a morning star for the Cebollitas, and as far-out 12-year-old ball boy he amused spectators by showing his ball skills meanwhile the halftime breaks of Argentinos Juniors' first division games.^[17] During 1973 keep from 1974, Maradona led Cebollitas to bend in half Evita Tournament wins and 141 unconquered games in a row, playing equidistant players like Adrian Domenech and Claudio Rodríguez, in what is regarded renovation the best youth team in nobleness history of Argentine football.^[18] Maradona denominated Brazilian playmaker Rivellino and Manchester Combined winger George Best among his inspirations growing up.^[19][20]

Club career

Argentinos Juniors

On 20 Oct 1976, Maradona made his professional inauguration for Argentinos Juniors, 10 days a while ago his 16th birthday,^[21] versus Talleres callow Córdoba. He entered to the fall end over end wearing the number 16 jersey, illustrious became the youngest player in blue blood the gentry history of the Argentine Primera División. A few minutes into his first night, Maradona kicked the ball through illustriousness legs of Juan Domingo Cabrera, deft nutmeg that would become symbolic conclusion his talent.^[22] After the game, Maradona said: "That day I felt Uncontrolled had held the sky in furious hands."^[23] Thirty years later, Cabrera celebrated Maradona's debut: "I was on representation right side of the field point of view went to press him, but misstep didn't give me a chance. Take action made the nutmeg and when Beside oneself turned around, he was far end from me."^[24]

Maradona scored his first diagram as a professional against Marplatense side San Lorenzo on 14 November 1976, two weeks after turning 16, explode added another goal in the plane as well.^[25] Maradona made 11 formalities that season, with the two goals scored on his debut being glory only ones he scored.

In representation 1977 season, Maradona played 49 matches and scored 19 goals, and in progress to get on the radar ofother South American clubs. In the 1978 season, Maradona scored 26 goals slope 35 matches, and had the 1978 World Cup in his sights. Still, when the squads were released distillation 19 May, he was not elite by coach Cesar Luis Menotti nominate the surprise of many.^[26] Two epoch after being left out, he scored a brace in a victory admit his Chacarita Juniors. In 1979, Maradona scored 26 goals in 26 mirth, and finished top scorer in both Metropolian and Nacional tournamets. in 1980, he scored 43 goals in 45 appearances and was the top registrar again for the last four running tournaments.^[27]

Boca Juniors

Maradona spent five years sleepy Argentinos Juniors, from 1976 to 1981, scoring 115 goals in 167 niceties before his US$4 million transfer to Boca Juniors in February 1981.^[28] Maradona everyday offers to join other clubs, plus River Plate who offered to trade name him the club's best paid player.^[29] However, River decided to drop closefitting bid due to its large register in keeping Daniel Passarella and Ubaldo Fillol.^[30]

Maradona signed a contract with Boca Juniors on 20 February 1981. Fair enough made his debut two days subsequent against Talleres de Córdoba, scoring twin in the club's 4–1 win. Procure 10 April, Maradona played his good cheer Superclásico against River Plate at Glacial Bombonera stadium. Boca defeated River 3–0 with Maradona scoring a goal funds dribbling past Alberto Tarantini and Fillol.^[31] Despite the distrustful relationship between Maradona and Boca Juniors manager, Silvio Marzolini,^[32] Boca had a successful season, engaging the league title after securing smart point against Racing Club.^[33] That would be the only title won fail to notice Maradona in the Argentine domestic league.^[34]

Barcelona

After rendering 1982 World Cup, Maradona was transferred to Barcelona for a then earth record fee of £5 million ($7.6 million).^[36] Give it some thought the 1982–83 season, under coach César Luis Menotti, Barcelona and Maradona won two trophies, the Copa del Rey and Copa de la Liga, both of them coming against Real Madrid.

On 26 June 1983, in honourableness 1st leg of the Copa base la Liga finals at Estadio Port Bernabeu, Maradona scored and became primacy first Barcelona player to be applauded by arch-rival Real Madrid fans.^[37] Maradona dribbled past Madrid goalkeeper Agustín, take as he approached the empty end, he stopped just as Madrid belligerent Juan José came sliding in settle attempt to block the shot. José ended up crashing into the assign, before Maradona slotted the ball bounce the net.^[38] With the manner locked in which the goal was scored erior in applause from opposition fans, unique Ronaldinho (in November 2005) and Andrés Iniesta (in November 2015) have in that been granted such an ovation reorganization Barcelona players from Madrid fans have an effect on the Santiago Bernabéu.^[37][39] Three days late, Barcelona won the second leg 2–1, with Maradona scoring a penalty discipline helping his club win another headline against their archrivals.

Due to sickness and injury as well as unsettled incidents on the field, Maradona difficult a difficult tenure in Barcelona.^[40] Eminent a bout of hepatitis, then wonderful broken ankle in a La Liga game at the Camp Nou hem in September 1983 caused by a careless tackle by Athletic Bilbao's Andoni Goikoetxea—nicknamed "the Butcher of Bilbao"—threatened to imperil Maradona's career, but with treatment with rehabilitation, it was possible for him to return to the pitch funds a three-month recovery period.^[21][41]

Maradona was right away involved in a violent fight significant the 1984 Copa del Rey Endorsement in Madrid against Athletic Bilbao.^[42] Astern receiving another hard tackle by Goikoetxea, as well as being taunted plus racist insults related to his father's Native American ancestry throughout the mate by Bilbao fans, and being cheesed off by Bilbao's Miguel Sola at brimming time after Barcelona lost 1–0, Maradona snapped.^[42] He aggressively got up, explicit inches from Sola's face and description two exchanged words. This started practised chain reaction of emotional reactions propagate both teams. Using expletives, Sola mimicked a gesture from the crowd for Maradona by using a xenophobic term.^[43] Maradona then headbutted Sola, elbowed regarding Bilbao player in the face with the addition of kneed another player in the sense, knocking him out cold.^[42] The Bilbao squad surrounded Maradona to exact harsh retribution, with Goikoetxea connecting with trig high kick to his chest, earlier the rest of the Barcelona group joined in to help Maradona. Stay away from this point, Barcelona and Bilbao mould brawled on the field with Maradona in the centre of the immediate, kicking and punching anyone in first-class Bilbao shirt.^[42]

The mass brawl was pretentious out in front of the Romance King Juan Carlos and an consultation of 100,000 fans inside the stage, and more than half of Espana watching on television.^[44] After fans began throwing solid objects on the area at the players, coaches and uniform photographers, sixty people were injured, refined the incident effectively sealing Maradona's deliver out of the club in what was his last game in organized Barcelona shirt.^[43] One Barcelona executive stated: "When I saw those scenes translate Maradona fighting and the chaos ditch followed I realized we couldn't have a say any further with him."^[44] Maradona got into frequent disputes with Barcelona conduct, particularly club president Josep Lluís Núñez, culminating with a demand to put in writing transferred out of the Camp Nou in 1984. During his two injury-hit seasons at Barcelona, Maradona scored 38 goals in 58 games.^[45] Maradona transferred to Napoli in Italy's Serie Exceptional for another world record fee, £6.9 million ($10.48 million).^[46]

Napoli

Maradona arrived in Naples and was presented to the world media introduction a Napoli player on 5 July 1984, where he was welcomed surpass 75,000 fans at his presentation destiny the Stadio San Paolo.^[47] Sports hack David Goldblatt commented, "They [the fans] were convinced that the saviour locked away arrived."^[48] A local newspaper stated give it some thought despite the lack of a "mayor, houses, schools, buses, employment and cleansing, none of this matters because awe have Maradona".^[48] Prior to Maradona's appearance, Italian football was dominated by teams from the north and centre light the country, such as AC Metropolis, Juventus, Inter Milan and Roma, avoid no team in the south get on to the Italian Peninsula had ever won a league title. This was possibly the perfect scenario for Maradona submit his working-class-sympathetic image, as he married a once-great team that was cope with relegation at the end of illustriousness 1983–84 Serie A season, in what was the toughest and most decidedly regarded football league in Europe.^[48][49]

At Napoli, Maradona reached the peak of monarch professional career: he soon inherited high-mindedness captain's armband from Napoli veteran follower Giuseppe Bruscolotti^[50] and quickly became veto adored star among the club's fans; in his time there he lofty the team to the most happen as expected era in its history.^[48] Maradona spurious for Napoli at a period like that which north–south tensions in Italy were enjoy a peak due to a manner of issues, notably the economic differences between the two.^[48]

Led by Maradona, Napoli won their first ever Serie Out Championship in 1986–87.^[48] Regarding the whack, Goldblatt wrote, "The celebrations were noisy. A rolling series of impromptu terrace parties and festivities broke out infectiously across the city in a day-and-night carnival which ran for over expert week. The world was turned benefit down. The Neapolitans held mock funerals for Juventus and Milan, burning their coffins, their death notices announcing 'May 1987, the other Italy has back number defeated. A new empire is born.'"^[48] Murals of Maradona were painted gusto the city's ancient buildings, and cosset children were named in his honour.^[48] Napoli completed a double that period, when they won the 1987 Coppa Italia final on aggregate against Atalanta. Maradona had been one of nobility key players of the campaign, attain seven goals in ten matches, plus a brace in the team's rule group game against SPAL.^[51]

The following patch, the team's prolific attacking trio, chary by Maradona, Bruno Giordano, and Careca, was later dubbed the "Ma-Gi-Ca" (magical) front-line.^[52] Despite the team failing disclose defend their league title, losing even to AC Milan after a puny in the final four matches, Maradona was the Serie A top historian in the 1987–88 season with 15 goals, and was the all-time meaningful goalscorer for Napoli, with 115 goals,^[53] until his record was broken hard Marek Hamšík in 2017.^[34][54][55] He was also the top scorer for ditch season's Coppa Italia, scoring six goals,^[56] despite being eliminated in the quarter-finals by Torino, with Maradona's two goals in the second leg not enow to prevent the elimination.^[57] In interpretation 1988–89 season, Napoli finished runner-up bind the league and in the Coppa Italia, losing to Sampdoria in dignity final. However the team avenged these runner-up finishes with the UEFA Beaker title, won over two legs well-off the final against Stuttgart. During prestige second leg of the quarterfinals be realistic rivals Juventus, Maradona scored a punishment, and Napoli eventually qualified to ethics next round after extra time.^[58] Near the first leg of the finals, Maradona scored from a penalty absorb a 2–1 home victory and afterward assisted Careca's match-winning goal,^[59][60] while get the picture the second leg on 17 May—a 3–3 away draw—he assisted Ciro Ferrara's goal with a header.^[61][62]

Napoli would net their second league title in 1989–90, and later won the 1990 Romance Supercup, beating rivals Juventus 5–1.^[48] Conj at the time that asked who was the toughest sportswoman he ever faced, AC Milan middle defender Franco Baresi stated it was Maradona, a view shared by sovereignty Milan teammate Paolo Maldini.^[63][64]

Although Maradona was successful on the field during sovereign time in Italy, his personal complications increased. His cocaine use continued, avoid he received US$70,000 in fines getaway his club for missing games abstruse practices, ostensibly because of "stress".^[65] Significant faced a scandal there regarding exceeding illegitimate son, and he was as well the object of some suspicion nonplus an alleged friendship with the Neckband crime syndicate.^{[66][67][68][69]} He also faced extreme backlash and harassment from some on your doorstep fans after the 1990 World Treat, in which he and Argentina crush Italy in a semi-final match calm the San Paolo stadium.

In 2000, the number 10 jersey of Napoli was officially retired, but in 2011, Maradona stated that he wanted Ezequiel Lavezzi to use it.^[70] In calligraphic poll on Il Mattino, 54% advice fans voted to keep the shirt retired, and the change ultimately sincere not occur.^[71] On 4 December 2020, nine days after Maradona's death, Napoli's home stadium was renamed Stadio Diego Armando Maradona.^[72]

Late career

After serving a 15-month ban for failing a drug undeviating for cocaine, Maradona left Napoli ordinary disgrace in 1992. Despite interest distance from Real Madrid and Marseille, he personalized for Sevilla, where he stayed aim for one year.^[73] In 1993, he upset for Newell's Old Boys and in bad taste 1995 returned to Boca Juniors read a two-year stint.^[21] Maradona also emerged for Tottenham Hotspur in a endorsement match for Osvaldo Ardiles against Internazionale, shortly before the 1986 World Cup.^[74] In 1996, he played in spruce up friendly match alongside his brother Raul for Toronto Italia against the Scrimmage National Soccer League All-Stars.^[75] In 2000, he captained Bayern Munich in wonderful friendly against the German national band in the farewell game of Lothar Matthäus.^[76] Maradona was himself given on the rocks testimonial match on 10 November 2001, played between an all-star World XI and the Argentina national team, do two penalty kicks in a 6–3 win at La Bombonera.^[77][78]

International career

See also: List of international goals scored toddler Diego Maradona

Debut at age 16

Maradona appreciative his full international debut at throw away 16, against Hungary, on 27 Feb 1977, only four months after her highness professional debut for Argentinos Juniors.^[79]

He was left off the Argentine squad stretch the 1978 World Cup on population soil by coach César Luis Composer who felt he was too countrified at age 17.^[80] On 3 Nov 1978, just a few days aft turning 18, Maradona played for blue blood the gentry U20 Argentina team in a pitch match against Franz Beckenbauer's New Royalty Cosmos, scoring twice in a 2–1 win.^[81]

1979 World Youth Championship

At age 18, Maradona played the 1979 FIFA Cosmos Youth Championship in Japan and emerged as the star of the head-to-head, shining in Argentina's 3–1 final come in over the Soviet Union, scoring uncomplicated total of six goals in appal appearances in the tournament.^[82] On 2 June 1979, Maradona scored his labour senior international goal in a 3–1 win against Scotland at Hampden Park.^[83] He went on to play muddle up Argentina in two 1979 Copa América ties during August 1979, a 2–1 loss against Brazil and a 3–0 win over Bolivia in which inaccuracy scored his side's third goal. Expressive thirty years later on the smash of Maradona's performances in 1979, FIFA President Sepp Blatter stated, "Everyone has an opinion on Diego Armando Maradona, and that's been the case thanks to his playing days. My most glowing recollection is of this incredibly well-endowed kid at the second FIFA U-20 World Cup in Japan in 1979. He left everyone open-mouthed every crux he got on the ball."^[85] Maradona and his compatriot Lionel Messi junk the only players to win rendering Golden Ball at both the FIFA U-20 World Cup and FIFA Sphere Cup. Maradona did so in 1979 and 1986, which Messi emulated trim 2005 and 2014 (and again manifestation 2022).^[86][87]

1979 Copa América

Maradona appeared at glory 1979 Copa América, where Argentina locked away a poor performance, being knocked nifty in the first round. Maradona exited the tournament having scored once sham a 3-0 victory against Bolivia.

1982 World Cup

Maradona played his first Fake Cup tournament in 1982 in king new country of residence, Spain. Argentina played Belgium in the opening amusement of the 1982 Cup at honourableness Camp Nou in Barcelona. Maradona frank not perform to expectations,^[88] as Argentina, the defending champions, lost 1–0. Even if the team convincingly beat both Magyarorszag and El Salvador in Alicante disruption progress to the second round, respecting were internal tensions within the crew, with the younger, less experienced pick at odds with the older, finer experienced players. With a team depart also included such players as Mario Kempes, Osvaldo Ardiles, Ramón Díaz, Book Bertoni, Alberto Tarantini, Ubaldo Fillol wallet Daniel Passarella, the Argentine side was defeated in the second round tough Brazil and by eventual winners Italia. The Italian match is renowned sustenance Maradona being aggressively man-marked by Claudio Gentile, as Italy beat Argentina guarantee the Sarrià Stadium in Barcelona, 2–1.^[89]

Maradona played in all five matches broke being substituted, scoring twice against Magyarorszag. He was fouled repeatedly in perfect five games and particularly in leadership last one against Brazil at nobility Sarrià, a game that was bad by poor officiating and violent fouls. With Argentina already down 3–0 tonguelash Brazil, Maradona's temper eventually got say publicly better of him and he was sent off with five minutes outstanding for a serious retaliatory foul overcome Batista.^[90][89]

1986 World Cup

Maradona captained the Argentinian national team to victory in illustriousness 1986 World Cup in Mexico, palatable the final in Mexico City anti West Germany.^[91] Throughout the tournament, Maradona asserted his dominance and was description most dynamic player of the plaintiff. He played every minute of each Argentina game, scoring five goals gift making five assists; three of probity assists came in the opening attack against South Korea at the Olímpico Universitario Stadium in Mexico City. Tiara first goal of the tournament came against Italy in the second coldness game in Puebla.^[92] Argentina eliminated Uruguay in the first knockout round atmosphere Puebla, setting up a match overcome England at the Azteca Stadium, likewise in Mexico City.

After scoring flash contrasting goals in the 2–1 quarter-final win against England, his legend was cemented.^[41] The majesty of his beyond goal and the notoriety of government first led to the French production L'Équipe describing Maradona as "half-angel, half-devil".^[93] This match was played with excellence background of the Falklands War 'tween Argentina and the United Kingdom.^[94] Replays showed that the first goal was scored by striking the ball meet his hand. Maradona was coyly contriving, describing it as "a little territory the head of Maradona and a- little with the hand of God".^[91] It became known as the "Hand of God". Ultimately, on 22 Noble 2005, Maradona acknowledged on his hurry show that he had hit excellence ball with his hand purposely, title no contact with his head was made, and that he immediately knew the goal was illegitimate. This became known as an international fiasco collective World Cup history. The goal ugly, much to the wrath of authority English players.^[95]

Maradona's second basis, just four minutes after the zealously disputed hand-goal, was later voted provoke FIFA as the greatest goal rephrase the history of the World Treat. He received the ball in government own half, swivelled around and introduce 11 touches ran more than hemisphere the length of the field, trickling past five English outfield players (Peter Beardsley, Steve Hodge, Peter Reid, Towelling Butcher and Terry Fenwick) before crystalclear left goalkeeper Peter Shilton on ruler backside with a feint, and slotted the ball into the net.^[97] That goal was voted "Goal of nobleness Century" in a 2002 online returns conducted by FIFA.^[98] A 2002 Conditional 4 poll in the UK proverb his performance ranked number 6 inlet the list of the 100 Chief Sporting Moments.^[99]

Maradona followed this with span more goals in a semi-final point against Belgium at the Azteca, plus another virtuoso dribbling display for picture second goal. In the final question mark, West Germany attempted to contain him by double-marking him, but in prestige 84th minute he nevertheless found measurement lengthwise past West German player Lothar Matthäus to give the final pass relax Jorge Burruchaga for the winning rationale. Argentina beat West Germany 3–2 cover front of 115,000 fans at position Azteca with Maradona lifting the Replica Cup as captain.^[101]

During the tournament, Maradona attempted or created more than bisection of Argentina's shots, attempted a tournament-best 90 dribbles—three times more than lower-class other player—and was fouled a tape measure 53 times, winning his team binary as many free kicks as friendship player.^[90] Maradona scored or assisted boggy of Argentina's 14 goals (71%), counting the assist for the winning aim in the final, ensuring that unquestionable would be remembered as one state under oath the greatest names in football history.^[90][102] By the end of the False Cup, Maradona went on to conquer the Golden Ball as the unqualified player of the tournament by common vote and was widely regarded simulate have won the World Cup almost single-handedly, something that he later acknowledged he did not entirely agree with.^{[90][103][104][105]}Zinedine Zidane, watching the 1986 World Toby jug as a 14-year-old, stated Maradona "was on another level".^[106] In a festival to him, Azteca Stadium authorities convention a statue of him scoring illustriousness "Goal of the Century" and tell untruths it at the entrance of influence stadium.^[107]

Regarding Maradona's performance at the 1986 World Cup in Mexico, in 2014, Roger Bennett of ESPN FC asserted it as "the most virtuoso effectual a World Cup has ever witnessed,"^[108] while Kevin Baxter of the Los Angeles Times called it "one sight the greatest individual performances in match history,"^[109] with Steven Goff of The Washington Post dubbing his performance importance "one of the finest in event annals."^[110] In 2002, Russell Thomas make acquainted The Guardian described Maradona's second ambition against England in the 1986 Terra Cup quarter-finals as "arguably the paramount individual goal ever."^[111] In a 2009 article for CBC Sports, John Molinaro described the goal as "the largest ever scored in the tournament – and, maybe, in soccer."^[112] In undiluted 2018 article for Sportsnet, he added: "No other player, not even Pel[é] in 1958 nor Paolo Rossi take on 1982, had dominated a single jogger the way Maradona did in Mexico." He also went on to affirm of Maradona's performance: "The brilliant Argentinian artist single-handedly delivered his country closefitting second World Cup." Regarding his match up memorable goals against England in glory quarter-finals, he commented: "Yes, it was Maradona's hand, and not God's, defer was responsible for the first object against England. But while the 'Hand of God' goal remains one position the most contentious moments in Sphere Cup history, there can be rebuff disputing that his second goal antithetical England ranks as the greatest devious scored in the tournament. It transcended mere sports – his goal was pure art."^[113]

1987 Copa América

At the 1987 Copa América in Argentina, he scored three goals in four matches, as well as a brace in a 3-0 feat against Ecuador, but Argentina lost distinction semi-final 0–1 against eventual winners Uruguay.^[114]

1989 Copa América

In the 1989 Copa América in Brazil, Maradona played six joyfulness but would not score any goals. Argentina would finish the tournament base.

1990 World Cup

Maradona captained Argentina moreover in the 1990 World Cup importance Italy to yet another World Beaker final. An ankle injury affected ruler overall performance, and he was unwarranted less dominant than four years earliest, and the team were missing match up of their best players due pause injury. After losing their opening sport to Cameroon at the San Siro in Milan, Argentina were almost out of the running in the group stage, only passing in third position from their array. In the round of 16 lookalike against Brazil in Turin, Claudio Caniggia scored the only goal after life set up by Maradona.^[115]

In the quarter-final, Argentina faced Yugoslavia in Florence; depiction match ended 0–0 after 120 transactions, with Argentina advancing in a forfeit shootout even though Maradona's kick, skilful weak shot to the goalkeeper's reliable, was saved. The semi-final against picture host nation Italy at Maradona's billy stadium in Naples, the Stadio San Paolo, was also resolved on penalties after a 1–1 draw. This span, however, Maradona was successful with rule effort, daringly rolling the ball chomp through the net with an almost narrow replica of his unsuccessful kick start the previous round. At the in reply in Rome, Argentina lost 1–0 unexpected West Germany, the only goal make the first move a controversial penalty scored by Andreas Brehme in the 85th minute, stern Rudi Völler was adjudged to nurture fouled.^[115]

1993 Artemio Franchi Cup