The football world is mourning the death of Diego Armando Maradona, one of the all-time great champions. While playing in Italy, he won the Scudetto title twice with Napoli, making a whole city live out a dream. With Argentina, meanwhile, he took part in four World Cups as a player, winning the tournament in 1986. As a Coach, he led his team during the 2010 World Cup in South Africa. In 2014, El Pibe de Oro was inducted into the Italian Hall of Fame.

After hearing the sad news, FIGC President Gabriele Gravina expressed his condolences on behalf of the whole Federation: “Maradona personified the thrill of football, his footballing genius was a work of art that will forever remain etched in history. We say goodbye to him with passion, the same passion with which he made more than a generation of fans in Italy and the world fall in love with the game.”

As a youngster, Maradona was already a huge phenomenon. He had a magnificent left foot and his flair enchanted crowds. At the age of 16, as an Argentinos Juniors player, he played his first season with the professionals, quickly establishing himself as the greatest young talent in South America. After scoring 116 goals in 166 appearances, he moved to Boca Juniors. After a season with his beloved team, Barcelona brought him to Spain. His adventure in Catalonia lasted two seasons, during which he scored 22 goals in 36 matches and won three trophies (the Spanish League Cup, the Spanish Cup and the Spanish Super Cup.

In 1984, Maradona joined Napoli. In Italy, a new chapter began for the Argentine star. His arrival inspired the Partenopei, helping them to reach incredible heights: during el Pibe de Oro’s spell there, Napoli won two Scudetto titles, the Coppa Italia, the Supercoppa italiana and the UEFA Cup.

Maradona saved his greatest achievement for Argentina: at the 1986 World Cup in Mexico, his phenomenal performances resulted in La Albiceleste lifting the trophy.  

The 1990/91 season was Maradona’s last in Italy: he then moved on to Sevilla and Newell’s Old Boys prior to his glorious career coming to an end at Boca Juniors in 1997.