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Diego Maradona: Reflecting on the Legacy of a Football Icon.

Buenos Aires: Nov. 25, 2020, marks the passing of one of football's all-time greats, Diego Maradona, at the age of 60. Four years on, many of his iconic goals that established him as the Argentine soccer legend are still etched in memory. According to Anadolu Agency, Maradona was born on Oct. 30, 1960, in Buenos Aires and was celebrated for his speed, remarkable technique, and captivating dribbling skills. His versatility allowed him to thrive as both an attacking midfielder and forward. Throughout his stellar club career, Maradona dazzled fans with Argentinos Juniors, Boca Juniors, Newell's Old Boys, Barcelona, Sevilla, and most notably, Napoli, where he became a legend. On the international stage, Maradona was instrumental in Argentina's 1986 FIFA World Cup triumph in Mexico. His performance in that tournament, highlighted by the infamous "Hand of God" goal and his legendary solo effort against England, solidified his legendary status. Maradona immortalized himself in football history during the 1986 FIF A World Cup quarterfinal against England with two unforgettable goals. In the 51st minute, he scored the controversial "Hand of God" goal by flicking the ball with his hand over England goalkeeper Peter Shilton and into the net. The referee, missing the handball, allowed the goal to stand. Maradona later described it as "a little with the head of Maradona and a little with the hand of God." Just four minutes later, he scored what is widely regarded as the "Goal of the Century," dribbling past five English defenders before slotting the ball past goalkeeper Peter Shilton. Argentina won the match 2-1, advancing to the semifinals and eventually lifting the World Cup trophy. Maradona's club career in Europe left a lasting impression. At Barcelona, from 1982 to 1984, he scored 38 goals in 58 matches across all competitions and celebrated winning three trophies with the Spanish giants. His move to Napoli in 1984 marked the beginning of his legendary status in Italian football. During his time with Napoli, Maradona played 259 matches, scoring 115 goals in all competitions. He elevated the club to unprecedented heights, securing their first Serie A title and numerous other trophies. After Napoli, Maradona played for Sevilla, Newell's Old Boys, and Boca Juniors before retiring in 1997, with a career total of 312 goals in 588 matches. Maradona's managerial career began in 1994, though it did not mirror his success as a player. He coached alongside former teammate Carlos Fren at Textil Mandiyu and later Racing Club. In 2008, he took over as head coach of Argentina, but his tenure was inconsistent. Despite guiding Argentina to the 2010 FIFA World Cup, a 4-0 loss to Germany in the quarterfinals led to his dismissal. Maradona's career was often overshadowed by controversies off the field. In 1991, he faced a 15-month sentence for drug use and was expelled from the 1994 World Cup after testing positive for banned substances. Reports also claimed Maradona had significant tax debt from his time at Napoli. Recognized as one of football's greatest players, Maradona passed away from a heart attack on Nov. 25, 2020, at his home near Buenos Aires.