Diego Maradona, a name synonymous with footballing brilliance and controversy, left an indelible mark on the world of sports.
His extraordinary skills and on-field charisma mesmerized millions, making him an iconic figure in the realm of soccer.
However, beyond the glitz and glamour of his career, Maradona’s life was a rollercoaster ride, marked by personal struggles, triumphs and controversies.
His sudden and untimely death in November 2020 shook the footballing world, raising questions about the circumstances surrounding his passing.
In this article, we delve into the intricate details of Diego Maradona’s cause of death, shedding light on the events leading to the loss of one of the sport’s most enigmatic legends.
Diego Maradona early life
Maradona was born on October 30, 1960, at the PoliclÃnico Evita Hospital in Lanús, Buenos Aires Province, Argentina.
He was the fifth of eight children raised by Diego Sr. and Doña Tota in a poor but close-knit household in Villa Fiorito, a shantytown on the southern outskirts of Buenos Aires.
Maradona’s parents were both born and brought up in the town of Esquina in the north-east province of Corrientes on the banks of the Corriente River.
In the 1950s, they left Esquina and settled in Buenos Aires.
Maradona received his first soccer ball as a gift at the age of 3 and quickly became devoted to the game.
His exceptional talent was obvious from a very young age.
When he was eight years old, he came to Argentinos Juniors for trials.
When the coaches saw what he could do with the ball, they asked Maradona to give them his identification card; they simply couldn’t believe that the boy was really that young (in reality, he was small for his age).
Once it became clear that Maradona wasn’t lying, the coaches decided to devote themselves to improving his skills.
At 10, Maradona joined Los Cebollitas, a youth team of Argentinos Juniors, one of the biggest clubs in Argentina.
Showing his prodigious ability at an early age, Maradona led Los Cebollitas to an incredible 136-game unbeaten streak.
He made his professional debut for the senior team shortly before his 16th birthday.
At 15 years old, Maradona made his official debut for Argentinos Juniors’ first team and became the youngest player ever in the Primera.
A few months later, he made his debut in the Argentina national team, in a friendly against Hungary.
Diego Maradona cause of death
Maradona’s cause of death was a cardiac arrest, which was a result of heart failure and pulmonary edema.
He died on November 25, 2020, at the age of 60, two weeks after undergoing brain surgery.
Maradona had been recovering at a home in the Buenos Aires suburbs instead of a hospital, and prosecutors claim that his doctors and caregivers should have known that he was at risk and done more to save him.
Eight doctors and nurses who cared for Maradona are facing homicide charges in relation to his death.
If found guilty, they could face between eight to 25 years in prison.
Diego Maradona career
Maradona displayed football talent early, and at age eight he joined Las Cebollitas (‘The Little Onions’), a boys’ team that went on to win 136 consecutive games and a national championship.
He signed with Argentinos Juniors at age 14 and made his first-division debut in 1976, 10 days before his 16th birthday.
Only four months later he made his debut with the national team, becoming the youngest Argentine ever to do so.
Maradona played for several clubs during his career, including Argentinos Juniors, Boca Juniors, Barcelona, Napoli, Sevilla and Newell’s Old Boys.
He played 490 official club games during his 21-year professional career, scoring 259 goals.
With Napoli, he won two Serie A titles, the UEFA Cup and the Italian Cup.
Maradona’s career with the Argentine national team included World Cup appearances in 1982, 1986, 1990 and 1994.
He dominated the 1986 competition in Mexico, leading Argentina to victory and scoring two of the most memorable goals in World Cup history.
The first was scored with his hand (the referee mistakenly thought the ball had struck his head), a goal now remembered as the Hand of God goal.
In total, he scored 34 goals in 91 international appearances for Argentina.
Awards and honors
Maradona won numerous awards and honors throughout his career, including the World Cup in 1986, the FIFA Player of the Year award in 1986 and 1990, and the Golden Ball award for the best player at the 1986 World Cup.
He was also one of the two joint winners of the FIFA Player of the 20th Century award.
Retirement and coaching career
Maradona retired from professional football in 1997, and later became a coach.
He coached several clubs, including the Argentine national team, and was known for his passionate and sometimes controversial coaching style.
