Maradona. Copilul rebelul zeul

Guillem Balagué tells the life story of Diego Armando Maradona. He traces his rise from Fiorito to football fame. The book pairs his skill on the pitch with his troubled private life. It is for readers of football and life stories.

Fans knew Maradona as El Pibe de Oro, or the Golden Boy. He had great skill at dribbling and ball control. He also read play well. He shared FIFA’s Player of the Twentieth Century award with Pelé. He was the first player to break the transfer record twice. His move to Barcelona in 1982 set one record. His move to Napoli in 1984 set the next. He also played for Argentinos Juniors and Boca Juniors. He later played for Sevilla and Newell’s Old Boys.

The book looks at these feats and the cost of fame. Maradona faced drug addiction and poor health. The press watched and judged him harshly. As a boy, he had longed to be rich. He gained cars, jewels, women and praise that never stopped. His death in 2020 did not end his hold on fans.

An extract shows this bond in Naples after his death. Thousands of fans met outside a stadium with its gates shut. Rules to curb the pandemic were in force. Many young fans had never seen him play. Yet they sang, waved flags and lit flares. In this way, they claimed him as their own. The account compares his standing in Naples and Argentina. That same week, the stadium took his name.

Balagué has won awards for his work as a football journalist. He also works as an analyst and commentator. He spent twenty years reporting on Spanish football at Sky Sports. His broadcast work includes BBC, Radio 5, LaLiga TV and CBS. He also writes and broadcasts in Spain and Britain. He runs a YouTube channel and the podcast Pure Football. He has more than 1.2 million social media followers. He teaches journalism at UCFB in Wembley and Manchester. He has written and published six football books. He also chairs FC Biggleswade.