Diego Maradona.

Diego Armando Maradona

Diego Maradona — Actor

Born 30 Oct 1960 Lanús, Argentina

Died 25 Nov 2020 Dique Luján, Argentina

Citizenship Argentina

Would Be 65 yr If Living

15 min read

Reading time

2,835

Words

Mar 3, 2026

Published

61

Film credits

4

Books

4

Awards

TL;DR

Diego Maradona captained Argentina to victory at the 1986 World Cup in Mexico, scoring both goals in the quarterfinal against England, including the infamous handball goal. He played for Boca Juniors, Barcelona, and Napoli, leading Napoli to their first Serie A title in 1987. Maradona was named FIFA Player of the Century in 2000 and later managed Argentina in 2010.

Identity & family.

KIN · 7

Names, aliases, and relatives of Diego Maradona — birth name, kin, and personal ties.

Birth Name Diego Armando Maradona

Nicknames El Pibe de Oro, The Golden Boy, Pelusa, Hand of God, Cosmico, Dieguito, Diegote, El Diez, Barrilete

Aliases Diego, Diego A. Maradona, Maradona, Paolo Rodriguez

PARENTS: Diego Maradona Sr.
SPOUSES: Claudia Villafañe
CHILDREN: Dalma Maradona Gianinna Maradona Diego Sinagra
SIBLINGS: Raúl Maradona Hugo Maradona

At a glance.

STATS

Diego Maradona by the numbers — life, work, and family.

60 Years lived

61 Film credits

4 Books

4 Awards

1 Marriage

3 Children

Who was Diego Maradona?

BIOGRAPHY

Diego Maradona — early life, career, personal life, and legacy.

Early life

Maradona made his professional debut for Argentinos Juniors at age 15 in 1976, but his journey began in the impoverished Villa Fiorito district of Lanús. The first son after five daughters, he was born to Diego Maradona Sr. and Doña Tota. His family struggled financially, and young Diego sold scrap metal to buy his first football. By age 12, he was performing ball tricks at halftime of local matches, catching the attention of scouts.

Career

Maradona’s international breakthrough came at the 1979 FIFA World Youth Championship, where he won the Golden Ball and Silver Shoe. He made his senior World Cup debut in 1982, but his defining moment arrived at the 1986 tournament in Mexico. In the quarterfinal against England, he scored two historic goals: the Hand of God an unpenalized handball and the Goal of the Century a 60-meter dribble past five players. He captained Argentina to a 3-2 win over West Germany in the final and earned the World Cup Golden Ball.

At club level, he joined Napoli in 1984 and transformed the club, winning Serie A in 1987 and 1990, the Coppa Italia in 1987, and the UEFA Cup in 1989. He played for Boca Juniors, Barcelona, Sevilla, and Newell’s Old Boys before retiring in 1997. After retirement, he coached the Argentina national team from 2008 to 2010, leading them to the 2010 World Cup quarterfinals.

Personal life

Maradona married Claudia Villafañe in 1989; they had two daughters, Dalma born 1987 and Gianinna born 1989. Later, he recognized three other children: Diego Sinagra born 1986 in Naples, Jana Maradona born 1996, recognized in 2014, and Fernando Diego Maradona born 2013. Cocaine addiction resulted in a 15-month ban from football in 1991 and multiple rehabilitation stints, including one in Cuba. He had relationships with Verónica Ojeda 2005-2012 and Rocío Oliva 2013-2019.

Legacy

Maradona jointly received the FIFA Player of the Century in 2000 alongside Pelé. Napoli retired his number 10 shirt that same year. He inspired a generation of Argentine players and was the subject of documentaries and songs, including Manu Chao’s La vida tómbola and Los Piojos’ Maradó. The Church of Maradona, founded in Buenos Aires in 2003, celebrates his birthday as Year 43 D.D. After Diego. His on-field genius and the controversial handball goal define his legacy.

Filmography.

FILMS · 61

Browse the complete filmography of Diego Maradona — every film, TV show, and documentary credit, ranked by popularity.

TV

Champs-Elysées

1982
Movie

Messi

2014
TV

De Pé a Pá

1996
TV

Peor Es Nada

1990
Movie

Diego Maradona

2019
TV

Messi's World Cup: the Rise of a Legend

2024
Movie

Ronaldo Vs. Messi: Face Off!

2017
TV

I Demoni Dello Sport

2025
Movie

God's Shirt

2026
Movie

The Final: Attack on Wembley

2024
Movie

Tifosi

1999
Movie

Maradona by Kusturica

2008
TV

Argentine National Team, Road to Qatar

2022
Movie

Hero

1986

Could not load more credits.

Awards & honors.

AWARDS · 4

Every award, honor, and recognition received by Diego Maradona — Grammys, hall-of-fame inductions, civic honors, lifetime achievements.

World Cup Golden Ball
L'Équipe Champion of Champions
FIFA Player of the Century
diamond Konex award

Bibliography.

BOOKS · 4

Diego Maradona's bibliography — every authored, edited, and co-written book, ranked by edition count.

Amazon

Maradona

by Diego Armando Maradona et al.
Amazon

Yo Soy El Diego

by Diego Armando Maradona
Amazon

Yo Soy El Diego / I Am the Diego

by Diego Armando Maradona
Amazon

México 86. Así Ganamos La Copa

by Diego Armando Maradona

Notable quotes.

QUOTES · 1

A wall of memorable lines from Diego Maradona — lyrics, interviews, and off-the-cuff remarks captured over a lifetime.

I Like English Football, Always Have. It’s Just That People Go on About the World Cup in 1986 and Then I’m Seen as the Real Bad Boy.

Did you know?

FACTS · 50

Little-known facts about Diego Maradona — origins, oddities, and behind-the-scenes details from a public life.

In the 1986 World Cup quarterfinal against England, Maradona scored the first goal with his hand, a disputed goal allowed by the referee. He later called it The Hand of God. England manager Bobby Robson called it The Hand of a Rascal.
Maradona was good friends with Cuban leader Fidel Castro. He had a tattoo of Ernesto Che Guevara on his right arm.
He and one-time girlfriend Cristiana Sinagra are the parents of Diego Maradona Jr., born in Naples, Italy. The elder Maradona recognized his son in 2016.
Winner of the 1986 FIFA World Cup in Mexico, Argentina’s second World Cup win. He finished the tournament with five goals, one short of top scorer Gary Lineker. He scored both goals in the quarterfinal win against England; the first was a handball, and the second is known as the Goal of the Century.
Father of, with his ex-wife Claudia Villafañe, Dalma Maradona born April 2, 1987 and Gianinna Maradona born May 16, 1989.
Singer Manu Chao dedicated his song La vida tómbola to Maradona.
Maradona played for Argentinos Juniors 1976-1981, Boca Juniors 1981-82, 1995-1997, FC Barcelona 1982-1984, S.S.C. Napoli 1984-1992, Sevilla F.C. 1992-93 and Newell’s Old Boys 1993-94, totaling 840 games and 345 goals.
He earned 91 caps for the Argentina National Football Team and scored 34 goals.
Argentine rock group Los Piojos had a 1996 hit song dedicated to him called Maradó.
Honours with Boca Juniors: Argentine Primera División 1981 Metropolitano. Honours with FC Barcelona: Copa del Rey 1983; Copa de la Liga: 1983. Honours with S.S.C. Napoli: Serie A 1987, 1990; Coppa Italia 1987; UEFA Cup 1989; Supercoppa Italiana 1990.
He had a look-alike puppet in the French show Les Guignols de l’info 1988.
Made his Argentine Primera División debut in October 1976 against Talleres at age 15.
Argentine singer Rodrigo dedicated his song La mano de Dios to Maradona.
He and ex-girlfriend Verónica Ojeda are the parents of Fernando Diego Maradona, born in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Diego recognized Fernando as his son in March 2013.
Grandfather of Benjamín Agüero.
He and one-time girlfriend Valeria Sabalain are the parents of Jana Maradona, born in Buenos Aires. Diego recognized Jana as his daughter in 2014.
In Buenos Aires, fans organized the Church of Maradona which celebrates the former soccer star. Maradona’s 43rd birthday 30 October 2003 marks the start of Year 43 D.D. despues de Diego, or After Diego for its 200 members. Over 20,000 more people have become members via the Church’s official website.
In April 2004 he was taken into intensive care at a Buenos Aires clinic for heart and blood pressure problems. He was hospitalized after falling ill while watching his old team Boca Juniors play.
Although having good ratings, his show La noche del 10 2005 was voted worst television show of the year in Argentina 2005.
He was in a relationship with Verónica Ojeda 2005-2012.
He was in an on-off relationship with Rocío Oliva January 2013-December 2019.
Son of Diego Maradona Sr. and Doña Tota. Brother of Ana, Kity, Lili, Maria Rosa, Lalo, Hugo, and Claudia Maradona.
Won the Golden Ball and Silver Shoe at the 1979 FIFA World Youth Championship.
Won the Footballer of the Year of Argentina award in 1979, 1980, 1981, and 1986.
Top scorer of the Argentine Primera División 1978 Metropolitano, 1979 Metropolitano, 1979 Nacional, 1980 Metropolitano, 1980 Nacional, Serie A 1988, and Coppa Italia 1988.
Named South American Footballer of the Year in 1979 and 1980.
Won the Olimpia Award Argentine Athlete of the Year in 1979 and 1986.
Won the Guerin d’Oro Serie A Footballer of the Year in 1985.
Named in the FIFA World Cup All-Star Team in 1986 and 1990.
Won the United Press International Athlete of the Year Award in 1986.
Banned by the Italian Football Federation for 15 months for cocaine doping.
Arrested for drug possession on April 26, 1991 in Buenos Aires’s Caballito neighborhood.
Banned by FIFA for 15 months for ephedrine doping at the 1994 World Cup.
Head coach of Textil Mandiyú 1994, Racing Club de Avellaneda 1995, Argentina National Football Team 2008-2010, Al-Wasl F.C. 2011-12, Fujairah FC 2017-18, Dorados de Sinaloa 2018-19, and Club de Gimnasia y Esgrima La Plata 2019-20.
Named in the FIFA World Cup All-Time Team in 1994.
Entered a 40-day rehabilitation program for drug dependency in Entre Ríos and Buenos Aires in March 1996.
Entered a 12-day rehabilitation program for drug dependency in Switzerland in August 1996.
Played his last official match as a professional on October 25, 1997 against River Plate at age 37.
Captain of the Argentina National Football Team from 1985-1990 and 1994.
Named in the World Team of the 20th Century in 1998.
Argentine singer Andrés Calamaro dedicated his song Maradona to him.
He was hospitalized after a heart condition from a cocaine overdose in Punta del Este, Uruguay.
Entered a 6-month rehabilitation program for drug dependency in Cuba in January 2000.
In 2000, Italian club S.S.C. Napoli retired the number 10 shirt as a recognition to his career at the club.
In his farewell match on November 10, 2001, he played with football stars like Lothar Matthäus, Éric Cantona, Hristo Stoichkov, Davor Suker, Carlos Valderrama, Enzo Francescoli, and Juan Román Riquelme.
Won the Ballon d’Or special for services to football in 1995.
The Argentinos Juniors stadium was named after him.
Former son-in-law of Roque Villafañe.
Lived in Cuba between 2000 and 2002.
Entered a rehabilitation program for drug dependency in Buenos Aires in May 2004.

You wanted to know.

FAQ · 50

Quick answers to the questions readers ask most about Diego Maradona.

When was Diego Maradona born?

Diego Maradona was born on October 30, 1960. He came into the world in Lanús, Buenos Aires Province, Argentina.
Where was Diego Maradona born?

He was born in Lanús, a city in the Buenos Aires Province of Argentina. This is part of the Greater Buenos Aires area.
When did Diego Maradona die?

Diego Maradona died on November 25, 2020. He passed away at his home in Dique Luján, Buenos Aires Province, Argentina.
How old was Diego Maradona when he died?

Diego Maradona was 60 years old at the time of his death. He was born on October 30, 1960 and died on November 25, 2020.
Where did Diego Maradona die?

He died in Dique Luján, a town in the Buenos Aires Province of Argentina. The cause was cardiac arrest.
How did Diego Maradona die?

Diego Maradona died of cardiac arrest. This occurred at his home in Dique Luján, Argentina on November 25, 2020.
What was Diego Maradona's real name?

His full birth name was Diego Armando Maradona. He was often referred to simply as Diego Maradona.
What were Diego Maradona's nicknames?

Maradona had many nicknames including El Pibe de Oro The Golden Boy, Pelusa, Hand of God, El Diez, and Barrilete. These reflect his skill, personality, and memorable moments.
What was Diego Maradona known for?

He was best known for his exceptional football talent, especially his performance in the 1986 World Cup where he captained Argentina to victory. He also starred for clubs like Napoli and Barcelona.
What was Diego Maradona's occupation?

Primarily a professional footballer, Maradona also worked as an actor and soundtrack artist. He is listed in our records with those occupations.
What nationality was Diego Maradona?

Diego Maradona was Argentine. He represented the Argentina national football team in international competitions.
Who were Diego Maradona's parents?

His father was Diego Maradona Sr. and his mother was Doña Tota. They raised him in Villa Fiorito, a poor neighborhood of Lanús.
Did Diego Maradona have siblings?

Yes, Maradona had several siblings: Ana, Kity, Lili, Maria Rosa, Lalo, Hugo, and Claudia Maradona.
Was Diego Maradona married?

He was married to Claudia Villafañe. They wed in 1989 and later divorced. She is the mother of his two daughters, Dalma and Gianinna.
How many children did Diego Maradona have?

Maradona had five recognized children: Dalma Maradona, Gianinna Maradona, Diego Sinagra, Jana Maradona, and Fernando Diego Maradona. He acknowledged all of them over time.
What awards did Diego Maradona win?

He won the World Cup Golden Ball in 1986, the FIFA Player of the Century award in 2000, the L’Équipe Champion of Champions, and a diamond Konex award, among many others.
What was Diego Maradona's height?

Diego Maradona was 5 feet 5 inches tall, or 1.65 meters. Despite his short stature, he was known for his low center of gravity and superb ball control.
Why was Maradona called the Hand of God?

He coined the phrase Hand of God after the 1986 World Cup quarterfinal against England, where he scored a goal by punching the ball into the net. The referee allowed the goal, and Maradona later said it was scored a little with the head of Maradona, and a little with the hand of God.
What were Diego Maradona's aliases?

He used aliases like Diego, Diego A. Maradona, and Paolo Rodriguez. Some of these were likely used for travel or privacy purposes.
Did Diego Maradona have a social media presence?

Yes, his official Instagram handle was @maradona and his Facebook page was diegomaradona. These accounts post archival content and tributes.
What clubs did Diego Maradona play for?

He played for Argentinos Juniors, Boca Juniors, FC Barcelona, S.S.C. Napoli, Sevilla F.C., and Newell’s Old Boys. His most successful period was at Napoli.
How many World Cups did Maradona play in?

Diego Maradona played in four FIFA World Cups: 1982, 1986, 1990, and 1994. He won the tournament in 1986 and reached the final in 1990.
Did Maradona ever coach the Argentine national team?

Yes, he served as head coach of Argentina from November 2008 to July 2010. He led the team at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, where they reached the quarterfinals.
What is the Goal of the Century?

The Goal of the Century refers to Maradona’s second goal against England in the 1986 World Cup quarterfinal. He dribbled 60 meters past five England players before scoring. It was voted the best goal in World Cup history by FIFA.com voters in 2002.
Did Maradona have any health issues?

Yes, Maradona struggled with drug addiction and was hospitalized multiple times. In April 2004 he was in intensive care for heart and blood pressure problems. He also had several rehabilitation stints.
What is the Church of Maradona?

Founded in Buenos Aires in 2003, the Church of Maradona is a parody religion celebrating the footballer. Its members mark October 30 as Year 43 D.D. After Diego. It has thousands of followers.
Did Maradona appear in any movies?

He appeared as himself in documentaries like Diego Maradona 2019 and Messi 2014. He also acted in the film Tifosi 1999 as Diego Armando Maradona.
What is Maradona's connection to Fidel Castro?

Maradona was good friends with Cuban leader Fidel Castro. He had a tattoo of Che Guevara on his arm. He lived in Cuba between 2000 and 2002 for rehabilitation.
How many caps did Maradona earn for Argentina?

He earned 91 international caps for Argentina and scored 34 goals. He captained the team from 1985 to 1990 and again in 1994.
What was Maradona's debut like?

He made his professional debut for Argentinos Juniors on October 20, 1976, just ten days before his 16th birthday. He played against Talleres and was only 15 years old.
Did Maradona win any titles with Barcelona?

Yes, with Barcelona he won the Copa del Rey in 1983 and the Copa de la Liga in 1983. He played for the club from 1982 to 1984.
What honors did Maradona achieve with Napoli?

With Napoli, Maradona won Serie A in 1987 and 1990, the Coppa Italia in 1987, the UEFA Cup in 1989, and the Supercoppa Italiana in 1990.
Was Maradona banned from football?

Yes, he received a 15-month ban from Italian football in 1991 for cocaine use. He was banned by FIFA for 15 months in 1994 after testing positive for ephedrine during the World Cup.
What is Maradona's legacy in Argentina?

Maradona is a national hero in Argentina. The stadium of Argentinos Juniors is named after him, and he has been the subject of many songs and films.
Did Maradona have a farewell match?

Yes, his farewell match took place on November 10, 2001. It featured many football stars, including Lothar Matthäus, Éric Cantona, and Hristo Stoichkov.
What is the significance of the number 10 for Maradona?

He wore the number 10 shirt for both Argentina and Napoli. The number became synonymous with his style of play. Napoli retired the number 10 in his honor in 2000.
Did Maradona have any grandchildren?

Yes, his grandson is Benjamín Agüero, the son of Gianinna Maradona and footballer Sergio Agüero. Benjamín was born in 2009.
What songs were dedicated to Maradona?

Several songs were dedicated to him, including La vida tómbola by Manu Chao, Maradó by Los Piojos, La mano de Dios by Rodrigo, and Maradona by Andrés Calamaro.
What was Maradona's relationship with Rocío Oliva?

Maradona had an on-off relationship with Rocío Oliva from January 2013 to December 2019. She was his last known romantic partner.
How many goals did Maradona score in his career?

In official matches for club and country, Maradona scored 345 goals in 840 club appearances and 34 goals in 91 international matches, totaling 379 goals.
Did Maradona ever coach in Mexico?

Yes, he coached Dorados de Sinaloa in the Mexican second division from 2018 to 2019. He often showed passionate touchline displays.
What was Maradona's Zodiac sign?

He was born on October 30, which makes his zodiac sign Scorpio. This is associated with intensity and passion.
Why was Maradona considered a great?

His dribbling ability, vision, and leadership set him apart. He single-handedly led a mediocre Argentina team to World Cup glory in 1986 and transformed Napoli from a mid-table club to champions of Italy.
What were Maradona's other interests?

Besides football, he acted in films and appeared as a soundtrack artist. He also had a talk show in Argentina called La noche del 10 in 2005.
Did Maradona have any legal issues?

He was arrested for drug possession in 1991 in Buenos Aires. He faced tax problems in Italy, but these were eventually resolved.
What is the Konex award Maradona won?

He received a diamond Konex award, one of Argentina’s highest cultural honors, recognizing his contributions to sports. The Konex Foundation gives these awards every ten years.
Who were Maradona's best friends in football?

He was close with many players, including Carlos Valderrama and Enzo Francescoli. He had a friendship with Fidel Castro outside of football.
What was Maradona's first club?

He started his professional career at Argentinos Juniors, where he played from 1976 to 1981 before moving to Boca Juniors.
How did Maradona's death affect the world?

His death from cardiac arrest in 2020 prompted an outpouring of grief. Argentina declared three days of national mourning, and football clubs around the world paid tribute.
Was Maradona involved in any controversies?

Besides the Hand of God, Maradona faced multiple doping bans and personal struggles with addiction. He also had legal issues and tax problems.

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Audited & updated by

Sophia has 4 years of editorial experience and a habit of becoming the person any team leans on when they need to know where something stands. At Famousy, she manages the content pipeline, coordinates reviews, and handles the detail work that keeps a large editorial operation from falling apart. She reads a lot of profiles in the process and she's developed a sharp instinct for when something doesn't feel right. She flags it. It usually is.

Published on March 3, 2026

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