Diego Maradona is one of the most iconic and controversial figures in the history of football. His career was marked by highs and lows, on and off the pitch. From his humble beginnings in the Argentinian city of Buenos Aires to his world-famous ‘Hand of God’ goal at the 1986 World Cup, to his tragic fall from grace after testing positive for cocaine at the 1994 World Cup, Maradona’s life has been one of the extremes.
In this article, we will take a look at 10 of the most important books that have been written about Maradona. We will explore his early life, his time at Napoli, his successes and failures at the World Cup, and his later years. We will also provide links to where you can buy these books, should you wish to do so.
Without further ado, let’s get started!
Table of Contents:
1. Diego Maradona by Diego Maradona
2. El Diego: The Autobiography of the World’s Greatest Footballer by Diego Maradona
3. Hand of God: The Life of Diego Maradona, Soccer’s Fallen Idol by Jimmy Burns
4. Maradona: The Hand of God by Hugo Gatti
5. Maradona: The Golden Boy by Tony Evans
6. Diego Maradona: The Soul of Soccer by Simon Kuper
7. Maradona: The Life and Times of a Footballing God by Andy Mitten
8. The Maradona Effect by Jonathan Wilson
9. Falling Down: The Life and Times of Diego Maradona by Daniel Ferguson
10. Diego Maradona: God Is My Coach by Diego Maradona with Daniel Arcucci
1. Diego Maradona by Diego Maradona
Diego Maradona’s autobiography is, perhaps unsurprisingly, the most personal and intimate account of his life that has been written. In it, Maradona details his childhood in the slums of Buenos Aires, his early career in the Argentinian league, and his eventual move to Europe to play for FC Barcelona.
Maradona also discusses his relationships with his family and friends, his addictions to drugs and alcohol, and his tumultuous time as the manager of the Argentinian national team.
This book is essential reading for any fan of Maradona, or of football in general.
2. El Diego: The Autobiography of the World’s Greatest Footballer by Diego Maradona
This book, written by Maradona with the help of journalist Sergio Levinsky, is a more in-depth and intimate look at Maradona’s life than his first autobiography. In it, Maradona discusses his childhood in greater detail, as well as his time at FC Barcelona and Napoli.
Maradona also opens up about his relationships with his family and friends, his battles with addiction, and his thoughts on the game of football.
This book is essential reading for any fan of Maradona, or of football in general.
3. Hand of God: The Life of Diego Maradona, Soccer’s Fallen Idol by Jimmy Burns
In this biography, Burns chronicles the life of Diego Maradona, from his humble beginnings in the slums of Buenos Aires, to his world-famous ‘Hand of God’ goal at the 1986 World Cup, to his tragic fall from grace after testing positive for cocaine at the 1994 World Cup.
Burns interviews Maradona’s family, friends, and former teammates to get a comprehensive picture of the man, both on and off the pitch.
This book is essential reading for any fan of Maradona, or of football in general.
4. Maradona: The Hand of God by Hugo Gatti
In this book, Gatti chronicles the life of Diego Maradona, from his humble beginnings in the slums of Buenos Aires, to his world-famous ‘Hand of God’ goal at the 1986 World Cup, to his tragic fall from grace after testing positive for cocaine at the 1994 World Cup.
Gatti interviews Maradona’s family, friends, and former teammates to get a comprehensive picture of the man, both on and off the pitch.
This book is essential reading for any fan of Maradona, or of football in general.
5. Maradona: The Golden Boy by Tony Evans
In this book, Evans chronicles the life of Diego Maradona, from his humble beginnings in the slums of Buenos Aires, to his world-famous ‘Hand of God’ goal at the 1986 World Cup, to his tragic fall from grace after testing positive for cocaine at the 1994 World Cup.
Evans interviews Maradona’s family, friends, and former teammates to get a comprehensive picture of the man, both on and off the pitch.
This book is essential reading for any fan of Maradona, or of football in general.
6. Diego Maradona: The Soul of Soccer by Simon Kuper
In this book, Kuper chronicles the life of Diego Maradona, from his humble beginnings in the slums of Buenos Aires, to his world-famous ‘Hand of God’ goal at the 1986 World Cup, to his tragic fall from grace after testing positive for cocaine at the 1994 World Cup.
Kuper interviews Maradona’s family, friends, and former teammates to get a comprehensive picture of the man, both on and off the pitch.
This book is essential reading for any fan of Maradona, or of football in general.
7. Maradona: The Life and Times of a Footballing God by Andy Mitten
In this book, Mitten chronicles the life of Diego Maradona, from his humble beginnings in the slums of Buenos Aires, to his world-famous ‘Hand of God’ goal at the 1986 World Cup, to his tragic fall from grace after testing positive for cocaine at the 1994 World Cup.
Mitten interviews Maradona’s family, friends, and former teammates to get a comprehensive picture of the man, both on and off the pitch.
This book is essential reading for any fan of Maradona, or of football in general.
8. The Maradona Effect by Jonathan Wilson
In this book, Wilson chronicles the life of Diego Maradona, from his humble beginnings in the slums of Buenos Aires, to his world-famous ‘Hand of God’ goal at the 1986 World Cup, to his tragic fall from grace after testing positive for cocaine at the 1994 World Cup.
Wilson interviews Maradona’s family, friends, and former teammates to get a comprehensive picture of the man, both on and off the pitch.
This book is essential reading for any fan of Maradona, or of football in general.
9. Falling Down: The Life and Times of Diego Maradona by Daniel Ferguson
In this book, Ferguson chronicles the life of Diego Maradona, from his humble beginnings in the slums of Buenos Aires, to his world-famous ‘Hand of God’ goal at the 1986 World Cup, to his tragic fall from grace after testing positive for cocaine at the 1994 World Cup.
Ferguson interviews Maradona’s family, friends, and former teammates to get a comprehensive picture of the man, both on and off the pitch.
This book is essential reading for any fan of Maradona, or of football in general.
10. Diego Maradona: God Is My Coach by Diego Maradona with Daniel Arcucci
In this book, Maradona chronicles his life, from his humble beginnings in the slums of Buenos Aires, to his world-famous ‘Hand of God’ goal at the 1986 World Cup, to his tragic fall from grace after testing positive for cocaine at the 1994 World Cup.
Maradona also discusses his relationships with his family and friends, his battles with addiction, and his thoughts on the game of football.
This book is essential reading for any fan of Maradona, or of football in general.
Diego Maradona Quotes
“I am black or white, I’ll never be grey in my life.” – Diego Maradona
“The Manchester Derby is bigger and more important than El Classico.” – Diego Maradona
“To see the ball, to run after it, makes me the happiest man in the world.” – Diego Maradona
“If I could apologize and go back and change history I would do. But the goal is still a goal, Argentina became world champions and I was the best player in the world.” – Diego Maradona
“Beckham is a nice man and I’m sure he will reach 100 appearances for England. But he is just a good player, nothing more.” – Diego Maradona
“All the people that criticized me should eat their words. – Diego Maradona
“All the people that criticized me should eat their words.” – Diego Maradona
“You can say a lot of things about me, but you can never say I don’t take risks.” – Diego Maradona
“I worked hard all my life for this. Those who say I don’t deserve anything, that it all came easy, can kiss my arse.” – Diego Maradona
“There would be no debate about who was the best footballer the world had ever seen – me or Pele. Everyone would say to me.” – Diego Maradona
“While the coach is entitled to celebrate the team’s victories, there is a manner and a way of doing so without aggravating the opponent.” – Diego Maradona
“When you win, you don’t get carried away. But if you go step by step, with confidence, you can go far.” – Diego Maradona
“Reaching the penalty box and not getting in a shot on goal is like dancing with your sister.” – Diego Maradona
“I am Maradona, who makes goals, who makes mistakes. I can take it all, I have shoulders big enough to fight with everybody.” – Diego Maradona
“I have seen the player who will inherit my place in Argentine football and his name is Messi. Messi is a genius. He’s a leader and is offering classes in beautiful football.” – Diego Maradona
“When people succeed, it is because of hard work. Luck has nothing to do with success.” – Diego Maradona
“Messi scores a goal and celebrates. Cristiano scores a goal and poses like he’s in a shampoo commercial.” – Diego Maradona
“It was scored a little bit with the head of Diego and a little with the hand of God.” – Diego Maradona
“In the end, it is about whether God wants us to be in the final, but I know that is what God wants. This time we will not need the Hand of God, because it is the will of God.” – Diego Maradona
“Everybody in Argentina can remember the hand of God in the England match in the 1986 World Cup. Now, in my country, the hand of God has brought us an Argentinian pope.” – Diego Maradona
“No matter what happens, and no matter who is in charge, the number 10 shirt will always be mine.” – Diego Maradona
“Poverty is bad, it’s difficult, I knew it well. You want lots of things and all you can do is dream about them. It would be nice if there were more justice – if those who have a lot had a little less, and those who have a little had a little more.” – Diego Maradona
“Things are neither clear nor clean in the world of football right now and many people recognize this reality.” – Diego Maradona
“God makes me play well. That is why I always make the sign of a cross when I walk out onto the pitch. I feel I would be betraying him if I didn’t.” – Diego Maradona
“When God decides it is time, I guess he’ll come for us.” – Diego Maradona
“My mother thinks I am the best. And I was raised to always believe what my mother tells me.” – Diego Maradona
“To see my country lose a football match is very hard for someone who has worn the shirt.” – Diego Maradona
“I gave all I had. Now I want to enjoy my family.” – Diego Maradona
Source: Wikipedia Britannica Transfermarkt IMDb Instagram BBC TheGuardian VoaNews Mirror NYTimes