Diego Maradona’s life in pictures from genius on the field to scandal-hit Argentinian legend off it

DIEGO MARADONA has died after suffering a cardiac arrest at his home in Argentina.

His death aged 60 comes two weeks after surgery following a bleed on the brain.

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The most iconic Diego Maradona shot – his ‘Hand of God’ moment against England goalkeeper Peter Shilton at the 1986 World Cup in Mexico[/caption]

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Kissing his prized possession – the World Cup after guiding Argentina to glory in 1986 in Mexico[/caption]

AFP

Diego Maradona was a legend on the pitch and hit by scandal off it[/caption]

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Here he is pictured in his latter years watching the 2018 World Cup in Russia as adoring fans take photos[/caption]

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He will go down as one of the greatest to have ever played the game[/caption]

Maradona had long-running health battles which followed a stellar career which will see him go down as one of the greatest footballers ever.

He dubbed his infamous 1986 goal the “hand of god” – as he lunged forward and knocked the ball into the back of England’s net in a clear handball.

But during the same game he also scored what is widely considered to be one of the best goals of all time.

The legend dribbled from inside his own half, leaving the England side in his wake, before slotting the ball past Peter Shilton.

One of the most gifted football players in history, Maradona’s pinnacle of glory came when he captained Argentina to win the World Cup in 1986.

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His career then hit a low point as plunging he was kicked out the 1994 World Cup for doping.

Years of drug use, overeating and alcoholism brought an end to his stellar career – and left him almost dying of cocaine-induced heart failure in 2000.

The No. 10 he wore on his jersey became synonymous with him, as it also had with Pele, the Brazilian great with whom Maradona was regularly paired as the best of all time.

Here, SunSport looks back at his life and career in pictures.

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Maradona scored twice in that game as Argentina knocked England out in the quarter-finals with a 2-1 win in Mexico City[/caption]

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Maradona hoists the World Cup aloft in front of over 100,000 fans at Estadio Azteca. He led Argentina to their second World Cup, eight years after their first on home soil[/caption]

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The Argentine played for Barcelona for three years from 1982 to 1984. He broke the world transfer record with his £5million move from Boca Juniors, and then broke it again on the way out…[/caption]

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His £6.9million move to Napoli was another world record and Maradona was presented in front of 75,000 supporters at Stadio San Paolo[/caption]

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Maradona spent seven years in Naples and had the No 10 jersey retired in his honour. He scored 115 goals in 259 games for the Italian side[/caption]

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Napoli won the 1989 UEFA Cup with a 5-4 aggregate win over Stuttgart. Napoli won the first leg 2-1 at home before a 3-3 draw in Germany sealed their success[/caption]

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He had two short spells with Boca Juniors in Argentina – for a season in 1981-82 and then to finish his career from 1995-97[/caption]

2011 AFP

The football legend with boxing great Mike Tyson at the Cannes film festival in 2008[/caption]

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Maradona with Brazilian icon Pele – widely regarded as the two best to play the game[/caption]

EPA

Maradona was in a relationship with Rocio Oliva for six years[/caption]

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She said she came close to marrying the Argentina great, but they split at the end of 2018[/caption]

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Here he is with his daughters Dalma and Giannina in Italy in 1989. He once denied having any children besides these two but has since accepted others after court battles[/caption]

Rex Features

Diego Maradona marrying his wife Claudia Villafane[/caption]

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The couple split in 2003 after almost 20 years of marriage[/caption]

2004 AFP

Maradona and Argentinian president Nestor Kirchner in August 2004 at the presidential office in Buenos Aires[/caption]

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With Cuban President Fidel Castro in Havana in 2005 to record a tv show featuring the leader[/caption]

Reuters

Maradona tried his hand at management in his later years – and led Argentina at the 2010 World Cup. After dominating their group and beating Mexico in the last 16, Argentina were dumped out 4-0 by Germany in the quarter-finals[/caption]

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Here he is keeping an eye on modern day great Lionel Messi during a training session in Buenos Aires in March 2009. They were preparing for a clash with Venezuela during a qualification campaign that as far from easy[/caption]

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The 2010 World Cup ultimately ended in disappointment for Maradona, Messi and Argentina in South Africa[/caption]

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He was back at the World Cup in 2018, this time to support Argentina from the stands in Russia[/caption]

Reuters

And he held a cigar during Argentina’s clash with Iceland. The game ended in a draw with Argentina left frustrated in Moscow[/caption]

Reuters

Diego was known for his larger than life personality. Here he is kissing girlfriend Rocio Oliva in the stands[/caption]

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And flipping the bird while celebrating in Argentina’s clash with Nigeria at the 2018 World Cup[/caption]

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The Argentine legend pictured earlier this year in charge of local outfits Gimnasia y Esgrima La Plata. It was one of eight teams he managed, including the Argentine national side[/caption]

His death comes two weeks after surgery following a bleed on the brain.

Maradona – who turned 60 last month –  has suffered a long battle with his health forcing him to make numerous trips to hospital in recent months. 

Argentine President Alberto Fernandez declared three days of national mourning in honour of the star, who was a cultural icon and national hero.