By Nicholas Poblete/Asst. Sports Director
Argentina native Diego Armando Maradona is revered as one of the greatest soccer players of all times, but his cocaine addiction caused him a lot of trouble, both at the professional and personal level.
In 1991, Maradona was suspended for 15 months, testing positive for cocaine. The Argentine was playing for S.S.C. Napoli at the time. According to an article in the New York Times, the drug was found in his urine sample, which was taken after a game on March 17 in Bari, Italy.
Maradona played for S.S.C Napoli from 1984 through 1991. During his time in Italy, Maradona played his best soccer, leading Napoli to its first two league titles in 1987 and 1990. He cemented his long-lasting fame in Napoli when he helped the team win the European club championship in 1989.
His controversial exit from Napoli brought to light, once again, his troubles with cocaine. On Feb. 13, Epoca, an Italian weekly magazine, reported that Maradona was part of a drug trafficking and prostitution investigation in Naples.
“I knew something like this would happen when I announced that I wanted to leave Naples,” the New York Times article written by Michael Janofsky quoted. “My lawyers will handle it.”
Despite a career plagued with drug addiction and controversy, Maradona was able to excel at soccer’s highest level.
He played for Argentinos Juniors, Boca Juniors, Barcelona, Napoli, Sevilla and Newell’s Old Boys, scoring 259 goals in in 491 appearances at the club level. Maradona also made his mark at the international level with the Argentine national team, scoring 34 goals in 91 appearances.
While Maradona impacted the soccer world at the club level, his World Cup performances lifted his pedigree to one of the best players of all times.
He won the World Cup in 1986. The tournament held in Mexico, saw Argentina play England in the quarter finals. On June 22, 1986, at the Estadio Azteca in Mexico City, Argentina beat England 2-1.
Maradona, just six minutes into the second half, jumped to header the ball, but used his hand to push the ball into the back of the net. The goal became known as the “Hand of God,” fooling the referee and giving Argentina the lead.
Argentina’s second goal went down in the books as one of the best goals of World Cup history, again, scored by Maradona. In Argentina’s own half, Maradona claims possession and begins to dribble. It took Maradona 10 seconds to take on five England players, eventually putting the ball in the back of the net.
With these two monumental goals, Argentina advanced and later reached the final. In Mexico City, Argentina faced off against West Germany. Maradona’s team won 3-2, claiming the countries second World Cup title.
Much like his exit from Naples, Maradona’s international career also ended with controversy. During the 1994 United States World Cup, Maradona was taken out of the squad after he failed a drug test, testing positive for ephedrine doping. He claimed that he had drank an energy drink in the United States that had that chemical.
Oscar Vasquez, a senior majoring in hospitality,
Maradona retired from soccer in 1997, but remains closely connected to the sport. He is currently the head coach of Al-Fujairah SC in the United Arab Emirates.
About Post Author
