Diego Maradona

October 30 his 49th birthday said the legendary Argentine footballer Diego Maradona.

In recent years, Maradona's name is often mentioned in relation to the numerous scandals involving tax evasion, chaotic relationships, abuse of alcohol and drugs. He also actively supports the left-wing political movements and became famous for his friendship with Cuban leader Fidel Castro, Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez and boxer Mike Tyson.



In Argentina, there is a "Church of Maradona", which was founded by a group of friends and fans in the Argentine port city of Rosario 10 years ago. Now her followers began to more than 120, 000 people worldwide. Members of the "church" is celebrated June 22 as his Passover, as on this day in 1986, Maradona scored the "hand of God" goal against England in





Diego Maradona is the author of one of the biggest scandals in the history of world sports. At the World Cup in Mexico, and the 1/4 finals we met in a state of cold war, Argentina and England.

During the match, the diminutive Maradona, when he saw that his head does not reach the ball after a pass at the gate, scored by hand. When the referee pointed to the center of the field, all Englishmen were shocked. But it was too late. Thanks to a goal, scored by hand Maradona, was listed on the scoreboard the score 1: 0.

After the match, the footballer said that "if there was a hand, it is the hand of God." This statement has become an aphorism, and the goal - one of the best known and most controversial in the history of world football. In turn, the British press dubbed the episode "hand of the devil».

22 years later Diego Maradona apologized for this act: "If I could go back and change history I would. Now I can only apologize for his action. What happened, happened, Argentina became the world champion, and I became the best player in the world ».



At the World Cup 1994 in what was then the captain of the US national team in Argentina, Maradona managed to score only one goal against Greece.

As it has been convicted in the use of illicit drugs.

Doping test carried out after the group stage match against Greece, in the body of the player revealed traces of ephedrine. After that, the International Football Federation (FIFA) decided to dismiss Maradona from the tournament.



October 30, 1997, when he was 37 years, Maradona has announced his retirement from football.

But the problems of Diego Maradona with drugs is only increased after his departure from the big football.





In addition, he quickly began to gain weight.







In 2005, Maradona, whose weight at growth 165 cm reached 120 kg, has agreed to an operation to reduce the volume of the stomach.



In 2005, Maradona appeared in a T-shirt with the inscription «Stop Bush» and called the US president in a public speech "genetic trash».



In 2005, Maradona has shaken the public recognition that during the quarterfinals of the World Cup 1990 (1: 0) Argentine defender slipped Brazil Branco bottle of water, which was mixed tranquilizers.

Speaking on Argentine television, Maradona said that when he saw the doctor for Argentina stretches Branco water bottle, he thought to himself: "Drink, drink, all to the bottom!" It should be noted also that two days after the match he Branco He said that, after he drank the water of the Argentine, his legs no longer obeyed.



October 28, 2008 Diego Maradona was invited to lead the national team of Argentina.

Photo: Reuters, Getty Images, Picture-Alliance, Associated Press.

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