Eight things about Maradona I bet you didn't know

Each generation has its idols, and while people today may talk more about Mbappe or Haaland, when it comes to pure talent and charisma, no one was as remarkable as Maradona. From documentaries to stories about his life off the field, there’s a reason so much lore surrounds Diego Armando Maradona.

1. Maradona is Eternal

The debate around the “greatest footballer of all time” can go on forever, but that’s not what this article is about. Today, we’re here to talk about the man Argentinians call “El Pibe de Oro” (The Golden Kid), the wild genius of the football field. Here are some intriguing facts to make your discussions with friends even more interesting.

2.He Wrecked a Chevrolet Camaro on the Streets of Los Angeles

In 1979, 19-year-old Diego was in the U.S. for the Youth World Championship and wanted to test drive a Camaro. He was joined by Andres Cantor, a famous TV journalist, Jorge Cyterszpiler, his first agent, and a rather unlucky car salesman. Diego’s driving style quickly turned this test drive into a full-throttle rally through the streets of LA. The car dealership employee frantically yelled, “Please, please! You need to slow down!” as Maradona pushed the Camaro to 120 km/h in a 50 km/h zone. Diego reportedly responded, “If I’m going to buy a Camaro, I’m not driving it at 30! I need to know this car has guts.”

3. A Wild Spirit with a Huge Heart

Univision commentator Luis Omar Tapia shared a touching story about Maradona’s compassion. A father with his young daughter was seen outside the Argentine training stadium in Ezeiza, Buenos Aires, asking nearby police for help in taking his sick child to the hospital. Shortly after, Maradona appeared, loaded them into his car, and personally drove them to the hospital. Even more, he covered all of her medical expenses, showing his generous side even for strangers.

4. In Naples, Maradona Is Like a God

In Naples, they say that only Jesus rivals Maradona in devotion. During his time with Napoli, Maradona led the team to two Serie A titles in 1987 and 1990, along with a UEFA Cup win, becoming the club’s greatest player of all time. Yet, his career in Naples was marred by personal issues. He was connected to the local mafia and often clashed with the press, and his highly publicized struggle with drug addiction sometimes divided the city’s loyalties.

5. The Curse of the Ballon d’Or

After winning the 1986 World Cup in Mexico, Maradona received the Ballon d'Or as the tournament’s best player, keeping it in a safety deposit box in Naples. Unfortunately, when a gang of local thieves broke into that bank, they took everything, including Maradona’s prized Ballon d'Or. Salvatore Lo Russo, head of the local Camorra mafia clan, revealed to prosecutors that he tried to retrieve Maradona’s trophy but ultimately failed, as it had been melted down with other jewelry. Although Maradona eventually requested a replica of the Ballon d'Or, it sadly arrived only days after his passing.

6. Facing Down Pope John Paul II

In the ‘80s, while he was playing for Napoli, Pope John Paul II sent two cardinals to arrange a meeting with Maradona. His colorful agent, Coppola, agreed to the meeting but relayed to the Vatican that Maradona had a strong aversion to being touched. He also mentioned that Pope John Paul would only get a hug if Maradona initiated it. Furthermore, Diego confronted the Pope about the Vatican’s luxury lifestyle while children around the world lived in poverty, marking one of his most infamous confrontations.

7. Driving a Scania Truck

In 1994, Maradona tested positive for ephedrine and, devastated, returned to Buenos Aires. But the paparazzi relentlessly followed him. To shake off the media, Maradona sometimes switched cars, but they quickly caught on to his strategy. Eventually, he found a solution in the form of a massive Scania 113 H truck. The height of the truck kept journalists at bay, allowing him rare moments of peace.

8. Maradona and Fidel Castro

Diego Maradona formed a unique bond with Cuba and its leader, Fidel Castro, after visiting the island numerous times over the years. In 2000, he met Castro during a memorable night filled with Cuban rum, lasting until the early hours. Their friendship blossomed over a shared passion for football and similar political views, especially Maradona’s admiration for Castro’s revolutionary ideals.

Bonus: The First Black Ferrari in History

Maradona’s representative, Guillermo Coppola, revealed that Diego requested a black Ferrari right after Argentina’s 1986 World Cup victory. Ferrari, however, only made cars in red at that time, so Maradona’s request was initially denied. Yet, Diego was adamant, and according to some sources, he even asked Coppola for the ultra-exclusive F40, which was still in development. In the end, Maradona got his black Ferrari—but it wasn’t an F40. Instead, he received a custom-painted black Ferrari Testarossa, costing an extra $130,000, courtesy of Napoli’s president, Corrado Ferlaino.