Weltnachrichten – AU – AP PHOTOS: Maradona a genius in the field, a character out

MEXICO CITY (AP) – He was considered a genius on the soccer field. Outside, he was a character practically everyone knows.

Diego Maradona, who died of a heart attack on Wednesday aged 60, began his story as a player in the Villa Fiorito neighborhood of Buenos Aires and has become a great footballer over the decades.

He made his debut at Argentinos Juniors and then jumped to the mythical Boca Juniors where he received his first title as a professional soccer player in 1981. Then it went to Europe and its legend began.

He won three titles with the Barcelona Club and became a world football figure. But Maradona won a great spot when he led Argentina to the 1986 world title in Mexico, where he scored one of the most iconic goals in football history – the « Hand of God » goal that contributed to England’s defeat in a quarterfinal match.

Experts have discussed who was the best football player in history – whether Maradona or Pelé, the legendary Brazilian who retired in 1977 and is still alive. There was no consensus.

Maradona and Pelé had a very good relationship until the Argentine failed a doping test and was banned from the 1994 World Cup in the USA. Pelé criticized him and they split until 2005 when they re-established a relationship.

Outside the field, Maradona was an outspoken figure who turned to left ideology. He was a good friend of Fidel Castro, leader of the Cuban Revolution, and was also close to the late Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez.

Diego Maradona, Argentine national soccer team, Boca Juniors