Maradona: From the slum to world champion

Heroes & Humans of Football

Only a few people can say they carry the weight of a nation on their shoulders – and football superstar Diego Maradona was one of them.

This episode, the first of a two-part series, covers the ‘glory’ years of Diego Maradona, the pocket rocket who became the face of Argentina and Argentinian football.

Named as one of the greatest players in the history of sport, this episode covers Maradona’s younger years—from rising success after growing up in the slums of Argentina, to stints at Barcelona, success at Napoli, and World Cup glories (and controversies).

In this episode, Mehreen and Simon also cover the dark side of Maradona—from routine drug taker and serial womaniser to mafia run-ins, military coups in Argentina, and the imprisoning effect of global fame.

What is the real story behind ‘el pibe de oro’ (the golden boy)?

Timestamps:

00:36: Introduction and career statistics

04:58: Growing up poor and ostracised in Argentina

12:06: Pro debut and lift from poverty

16:18: The cage of global fame and war in the Falklands

21:39: Drugs, drinking, and stardom

26:14: Napoli comes calling

29:45: Maradona and the mafia

34:52: The 1986 world cup and the ‘hand of god’ goal

50:23: The symbolic defeat of the imperial master (England)

56:19: Private life gets complicated

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