Goal of the Century: 9 Unbelievable Fun Facts About Diego Maradona You Never Knew!

1. Whack-a-Toe Maradona

Skipping toe-curling pedicures and swelling with national pride: Diego Maradona graced the 1990 World Cup with an elephantine left ankle and a rage-inducing ingrown toenail, necessitating shoes from the clown college collection and a silicone toe-pillow to numb the pain. Though that didn't stop our indomitable hero from sashaying the Argentinian team to the finals, taking 53 fouls like a champ, and giving opponents a gnarly game of "whack-a-toe."
Source => bigsoccer.com

2. Handy-Man God of Football

Though he may have been more "handy" than most football players, Diego Maradona still managed to score goals with both style and grace: Dubbed "The God of Football," the 5'5" legend led Argentina to victory in the 1986 World Cup, where he scored two unforgettable goals against England, including the notorious "Hand of God" goal that was sneakily punched in with his left hand.
Source => dnaindia.com

Did you know that legendary baseball player Roberto Clemente was also a talented musician? Discover his hidden talent and the album he recorded in 1958! 🎸🎶

=> Fun Facts about Roberto-Clemente

3. Dubai's Zen Soccer Star

Who says you can't find enlightenment in a desert oasis with luxury shopping malls and skyscrapers? Diego Maradona discovered his Zen and then some: Living in Dubai transformed the soccer legend's life, bringing him inner peace and inspiring him to extend his stay as Sports Ambassador. Thanks to the wisdom of the Emiratis and Arab people, he managed to overcome years of drug addiction, survive a near-death experience, and reconnect with his two daughters – all while enjoying top-notch amenities at every turn.
Source => thenationalnews.com

4. Head of Plaster Art

If you thought Diego Maradona was only skilled at juggling balls, you may be surprised to learn that he also juggled artistic inspirations: Maradona's head found its way into a plaster cast as part of Sarah Lucas's "Gold Cup Maradona" at the 56th Biennale in Venice, an exhibition at the British Pavilion which received mixed reviews but undoubtedly left an unforgettable impression, much like the football legend's iconic career.
Source => thefashionplatemag.com

5. Revolutionary Rehab Party

When Diego Maradona went to Havana for a "revolutionary rehab," he didn't just kick a drug habit—he also partied like a pro and gained a Cuban family for life: Maradona spent four years in Havana from 2000 to overcome addiction, bonded with Fidel Castro (even tattooing his face on his calf), enjoyed the nightlife, and now plans to legally recognize and surname three children he fathered with different women during his stay in Cuba, with paternity tests and legal processes underway.
Source => reuters.com

6. Napoli-ed and Zapped

Diego Maradona, the original "Napoli-ed and zapped": He played for Napoli in the Italian League and made headlines in 1991-92 when he was suspended for 15 months due to a positive cocaine test. After his suspension, he made a "high-stakes" comeback in the 1994 World Cup, scoring a goal and providing an assist before getting kicked out for testing positive for five ephedrine variants, marking the third suspension in World Cup history for doping violations.
Source => nytimes.com

7. Anagram-less Daughters

In a twist worthy of a Spielberg movie, Diego Maradona's eldest daughter's name is a cryptic homage to his parents in one of life's charming coincidences: Dalma was not named through an anagram, but as a tribute to her paternal grandmother who already shared the same name. Meanwhile, his second daughter Giannina hits a high note, as she was named after Maradona's favorite Italian crooner, Gianni Nazzaro.
Source => chiever.nl

8. Charitable Soccer God

When he wasn't busy Hand-of-God-ing his way into soccer legend, Diego Maradona was a charitable chap with a pocket deeper than a goalkeeper's dive: Maradona once not only played in a charity match on a humble dirt field in Naples, but also covered the rest of the collection from his own finances when donations fell short, showcasing his kind heart and commitment to his humble roots—a quality reiterated when he returned to the Catholic Church after a private meeting with Pope Francis, seeking forgiveness for his past mistakes and acknowledging his human flaws.
Source => angelusnews.com

9. Napoli's Culinary Conquest

When the God of Soccer decided to dine with mere mortals, Napoli became his culinary playground: Diego Maradona, the Argentinian maestro, scored 115 goals in 259 games between 1984 and 1991, leading Napoli to two Serie A titles in 1987 and 1990, as well as a UEFA Cup victory in 1989. In gratitude, Napoli retired his No. 10 jersey in 2000, forever cementing his legend at the club.
Source => espn.com