One of the best to ever play the game, taken too soon.
Diego Armando Maradona passed away today at the age of 60. A player and man for which there could never be enough superlatives has been taken far too soon.
From playing on the streets in the outskirts of Buenos Aires and his world record transfer to Barcelona, to his success in Naples and his managerial career, Maradona lived a life of relentless pace and enthusiasm.
Maradona started his career at Argentina Juniors, whom he would score more than 100 times for before moving to Boca Juniors.
He would play there for just one season, winning his only domestic Argentine honour in the process.
After the 1982 World Cup, he would move to Barcelona for a then-world record fee of $4 million. Despite this fee and his talent, a combination of injury, illness and controversy, his time in Catalonia would prove less than fruitful.
Moving from Camp Nou for another world record fee ($10.48M), it would be in Naples where Maradona would find his greatest success at club level.
During a breathless six seasons at the Neapolitan club, he would win five major honours – two of which were the Serie A title – and endear himself for all of time to the people of the city.
Internationally, his greatest moment was the 1986 World Cup. His otherworldly skill and streetwise style of play would prove impossible for any side to cope with, most notably England in the quarter-finals.
His two goals in that game perfectly encapsulated Maradona as a player; an angel and a devil on each shoulder, capable of utilising both with equal effectiveness.
After his playing days, Maradona would occasionally turn his hand to management, and would guide his nation in the 2010 World Cup.
He will be remembered as one of the greatest footballers to ever take to a field. Rest in peace.
