Diego Armando Maradona was perhaps the most enigmatic characters of soccer. He would conjure magic on the field, then blotch his book immediately thereafter.

Supremely gifted, he captained Argentina to victory in the World Cup Youth tournament in 1978, before making his World Cup debut in the 1982 edition in Spain. It was an inauspicious beginning with him being sent off for retaliating after a tackle.

In the 1986 World Cup in Mexico, Maradona left the world agape with his stunning goals. He fisted a goal past Peter Shilton of England and later gloated it was the 'Hand of God'. If his first goal was cheeky, the second strike was divine. Maradona dribbled past seven players to score perhaps the finest goal in World Cup history. His stirring deeds ensured Argentina lifted the World Cup.

He led Argentina to the finals in the 1990 finals, only to be beaten by Germany in the tournament final. In the 1994 edition, he was tested positive for drugs and that brought an end to a glorious career.

During those glory days, he was signed by Barcelona and Napoli for world record signing fees and justified his top billing with a series of league wins. While he seldom took a wrong step on the field, off it; he womanized, pushed drugs, abused alcohol and sparred with authorities and the press.

All said and done, he ranks up there with Pele in the pantheon of soccer gods.