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

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    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.

    PA:Press Association

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

    AFP or licensors

    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]

    Getty – Contributor

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

    AP:Associated Press

    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.

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

    ⚠ Read our Diego Maradona death live blog for the latest news & updates

    AFP – Getty

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

    AP:Associated Press

    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]

    Getty – Contributor

    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]

    AP:Associated Press

    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]

    Getty – Contributor

    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]

    AP:Associated Press

    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]

    AFP or licensors

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

    Getty Images – Getty

    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]

    Getty – Contributor

    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]

    AFP

    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]

    AP:Associated Press

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

    Getty – Contributor

    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]

    Getty – Contributor

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

    Getty Images – Getty

    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.