Diego Maradona's shadow looms large over England vs Argentina matches, especially after the infamous 1986 World Cup quarter-final where his 'Hand of God' goal and stunning solo effort led to a 2-1 victory. Forty years later, the teams meet again in a World Cup semi-final, with Argentina drawing inspiration from Maradona's legacy.
Controversial Death at 60
Maradona died of heart failure in November 2020 at his home in Buenos Aires, while recovering from brain surgery to remove a blood clot. His death sparked national mourning but also raised questions about his medical care. Seven members of his medical team were charged with negligent homicide, facing eight to 25 years in prison if convicted. A retrial began in April after the first trial collapsed due to a judge allegedly filming in court for a documentary.
Wild Love Life and Eight Children
Off the pitch, Maradona had a tumultuous love life, fathering at least eight children with six different women. He initially claimed only two daughters, Gianinna and Dalma, with ex-wife Claudia Villafane, but later acknowledged son Diego Junior and daughter Jana after court battles. His second son, Diego Fernando, was born in 2013. In 2019, his lawyer revealed he accepted paternity of three children born in Cuba. He was also engaged to Rocio Oliva for six years before their 2018 split.
£75m Estate Sparks Legal Battles
Maradona's death triggered a dispute over his £75 million estate, including image rights, memorabilia, and investments. Just 48 hours after his burial, a 19-year-old claiming to be his son demanded a DNA test. The Italian government also claimed he owed £36 million in taxes from his Napoli years. His lawyer, Angelo Pisano, questioned the estate's value, noting Maradona lived off charity. However, assets included five Buenos Aires properties, luxury cars like a Rolls-Royce Ghost and BMW i8, and deals with Puma, Konami, and EA Sports.
