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At the age of 21, Diego Armando Maradona is thrust into the spotlight during Argentina's 1982 World Cup campaign in Spain

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Maradona's infamous "Hand of God" goal helps knock England out of the 1986 World Cup in Mexico's Aztec Stadium

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He underlines his status as the world's best player by going on to lift the World Cup following a 3-2 win over West Germany

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The Argentine plays a crucial role as Napoli win their first-ever Italian league title in 1987 and the Uefa Cup in 1989

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In a petulant display, Argentina are reduced to nine men and beaten 1-0 by West Germany in the 1990 World Cup final

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He appears in the 1994 World Cup following a 15 month ban for cocaine use but is sent home after another drugs failure

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With his playing days at an end he is admitted to a hospital after suffering a heart attack in Uruguay in January 2000

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In 2001 an overweight Maradona is involved in a match held in his honour against a Rest of the World team in Buenos Aires

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Maradona sinks to a new low in April 2004 when he is hospitalised with heart and breathing problems