El Dios

Maradona meant so much to so many people. During 80s when Argentine people were going through ugliest economic crises and poverty, Diego brought joy ,smile and ray of hope for many Argentine by winning 1986 world cup .

My first encounter with Diego came in 1992, for the wrong reason—I saw a news article featuring his photo after he tested positive for banned substances. From that point on, I began following Maradona and the Argentine national team. He was the man who made me fall in love with Argentine football—a true magician, an icon, and an inspiration for countless young kids who dreamed of following in his footsteps. Despite battling his own personal demons in the public eye, he brought happiness to millions.

I just want to say—Maradona was not perfect. He was human, with many flaws and mistakes. But that’s exactly why we loved him—because he was human. Life gave Maradona many chances and opportunities to rise above his troubled, chaotic, and often unhealthy lifestyle. And yet, no one else in the world has ever received the kind of love, affection, and gratitude from people around the globe that Diego did—both in his triumphs and in his struggles.

The Maradona of the 1980s was an idol, a legend, an inspiration to so many. Even the Maradona of the 1990s seemed to be searching for that same phenomenal, charismatic version of himself. Sadly, he never quite found it again.