Diego Maradona, the legendary Argentine footballer, had an estimated net worth of $500,000 at the time of his death in 2020. His career earnings reached tens of millions through salaries and endorsements, though financial and personal struggles overshadowed his later years.
Diego Armando Maradona, an Argentine soccer icon, manager, and former professional player, left behind a net worth of $500,000 when he passed away on November 25, 2020, at 60 years old. Across his playing and coaching career, Maradona accumulated tens of millions from wages and sponsorship deals. In the early 1980s, he ranked among the world’s highest-earning athletes, pulling in several million annually from contracts and endorsements with brands such as Hublot, Puma, and Coca-Cola. However, financial troubles arose later in life, which are explored further in this piece. While Maradona’s conduct on the pitch often sparked debate, his private life became far more notorious than his athletic achievements. His existence was marked by battles with substance abuse, financial instability, health complications, and the burdens of global fame. Following his retirement from football, the Argentine superstar transitioned into coaching. Between 1984 and 1991 alone, Diego Maradona earned $43 million in salary. Adjusted for inflation, this sum equates to roughly $100 million in today’s currency. Maradona faced a long-standing tax dispute with Italian officials dating back to his tenure at Napoli. Unpaid taxes accrued penalties and interest over a span of more than three decades. In 2009, Italian authorities publicly disclosed that Maradona owed 37 million euros, including 23 million euros in interest alone. Italian police confiscated a portion of his jewelry to settle part of the debt, totaling around 42,000 euros. The remainder of the debt remained largely unsettled. Maradona vehemently refused to pay the taxes, arguing he had been unfairly targeted by Italian authorities, an assertion that led to accusations of defamation. Diego Armando Maradona was born on October 30, 1960, in Buenos Aires, Argentina. He grew up in a large family of seven siblings within a poor neighborhood on the city’s outskirts, experiencing hardship during his early years. His fortunes shifted when a talent scout recognized his abilities, leading to his enrollment with a youth team. At just 15 years old, Maradona made his professional debut for Argentinos Juniors and immediately became the primary supporter of his struggling family. His rapid rise to national prominence caught attention, prompting Boca Juniors to sign him in 1981 for a $4 million transfer fee. He spent a single season at the club he had idolized as a child before departing for Barcelona in 1982, following an underwhelming World Cup performance. Barcelona’s acquisition of Maradona generated immense excitement, as the club paid a then-record $7.6 million to bring the young star to Spain. Though Spanish fans adored him and he delivered strong performances, his time in Catalonia was plagued by controversies. In 1984, a heated confrontation escalated when he physically attacked multiple Athletic Bilbao players, knocking one unconscious with a headbutt. The incident triggered a full-scale pitch invasion, resulting in Maradona’s dismissal from FC Barcelona. Napoli shattered the global transfer record Maradona had previously set, paying approximately $10.5 million to secure his services. Under his leadership, the Italian side achieved its greatest success, capturing two league titles—including their historic first—in a period that defined their golden era. During this time, Maradona also guided Argentina to victory in the 1986 World Cup. His most infamous moment came when he intentionally used his hand to score a decisive goal against England in a 2-1 win. Later, when questioned, Maradona dismissed the handball, famously calling it “the hand of God,” a phrase now etched in soccer lore. His off-field struggles soon overshadowed his on-field brilliance. The 1990 World Cup proved disappointing for both Maradona and Argentina. In 1992, a positive cocaine test forced him to leave Napoli. Two years later, he was expelled from the World Cup after another failed drug test. Over the next several years, he played for clubs including Sevilla and Newell’s Old Boys before returning to Boca Juniors to conclude his career. Maradona became widely known for his cocaine addiction, reportedly relying on the drug from the mid-1980s until around 2004. His habitual use severely impacted his playing ability, with noticeable declines emerging after his move to Napoli. While in Naples, he relied on support from a local crime syndicate that provided him with drugs and companionship as he moved through the city unchallenged by adoring fans. His dependency culminated in a 1991 cocaine-positive test, forcing his ignominious exit from Napoli. He also returned a positive result for ephedrine during two appearances at the 1994 World Cup. Maradona’s physical decline began well before he retired from soccer. During his time at Napoli, his lifestyle spiraled out of control, with most of his week consumed by parties between matches. He also began gaining significant weight and visibly lost fitness toward the end of his playing days. After retirement, his health deteriorated rapidly. He soon became severely obese, at one point weighing 280 pounds, and underwent gastric bypass surgery in 2005 to address the issue. Yet Maradona continued to abuse alcohol, and in 2007, he was hospitalized due to hepatitis and the damaging effects of heavy drinking. Rumors of his death circulated, but he later emerged from a psychiatric facility after undergoing treatment for addiction. By 2007, he claimed to have abstained from alcohol and drugs for several years. In 2018, he collapsed in the stands while watching Argentina play at the FIFA World Cup and required emergency medical attention. During the match, Maradona consumed white wine, shouted insults at nearby spectators, and extended his middle finger toward cameras capturing the moment. In 2019, he received treatment for internal bleeding caused by a hernia. Throughout the 1990s, Maradona faced a series of high-profile legal entanglements. His first major issue arose in 1991 after he attempted to arrange a secret meeting with prostitutes in Napoli. Unknowingly, he contacted an illegal service using a monitored phone line, and Italian authorities recorded the entire conversation. Because he shared cocaine with the women, he was charged with multiple offenses, including possession and distribution. After testing positive for cocaine later that year, Maradona tried to flee to Argentina but was intercepted by Italian police and returned in tears. A second major incident occurred during the 1994 FIFA World Cup. Besides failing a drug test and being ejected from the tournament, Maradona made headlines early in the competition when he fired a pellet gun from his hotel window at journalists, injuring several reporters. Four years later, he was handed a suspended sentence of two years and ten months. © 2026 Celebrity Net Worth / All Rights Reserved