One of the outstanding players of the 1980s, he won over 80 international caps, and helped his country to three successive World Cup finals. He was South American footballer of the year 1979 and 1980. Despite his undoubted talent, his career was dogged by a series of drugs scandals, notably his disqualification from the 1994 World Cup after failing a drugs test. CAREER HIGHLIGHTS World Cup 1986, 1990, 1994 UEFA Cup 1989 Italian League 1987, 1990 Italian Cup 1987 Spanish Cup 1983 South American footballer of the year 1979, 1980 Maradona played for Argentinos Juniors and Boca Juniors before leaving South America for Barcelona, Spain, 1982 for a transfer fee of approximately ú5 million. He moved to Napoli, Italy, for ú6.9 million 1984, and contributed to their first Italian League title. In the 1986 World Cup he appeared illegally to use his hand to score a winning goal - his infamous "hand of God" incident. His Italian league career ended in disgrace in March 1991 when he was tested positive for cocaine after a match and banned from football for 15 months. He joined Seville, Spain, 1992 and returned to Argentina 1993 to play for Newell's Old Boys. Recalled to the national team for the 1994 World Cup, he failed a drug test halfway through the tournament and was immediately withdrawn from the team and suspended from all football pending a FIFA hearing.
