Diego Maradona, the iconic Argentine footballer, had a net worth of $500,000 at his passing in 2020, despite earning tens of millions during his career.
Diego Maradona was an Argentine sports icon, renowned for his roles as both a professional soccer player and a football manager, leaving behind a net worth of $500,000 when he passed away on November 25, 2020, at 60 years old. Throughout his career in sports, Maradona accumulated vast wealth from salaries and endorsement deals, earning millions annually in the early 1980s as one of the globe’s top-earning athletes. His partnerships with brands like Hublot, Puma, and Coca-Cola brought in several million per year, though financial troubles later overshadowed his earnings. While Maradona’s conduct during matches often drew criticism, his off-field life became far more controversial than his sporting achievements. His struggles with substance abuse, financial mismanagement, health complications, and the burdens of international fame defined his later years. Following his retirement from playing, he transitioned into coaching. Between 1984 and 1991, Maradona earned $43 million in salary alone, which, when adjusted for inflation, equates to roughly $100 million in today’s currency. Maradona faced a prolonged tax dispute with Italian authorities stemming from his tenure at Napoli. Unpaid taxes racked up fines over a span of more than three decades, with Italian officials revealing in 2009 that he owed 37 million Euros—a figure that included 23 million Euros in accumulated interest. Italian police confiscated jewelry belonging to Maradona worth approximately 42,000 Euros to settle part of the debt, but the bulk of the outstanding amount remained unsettled. Maradona publicly refused to pay the taxes, arguing that Italian authorities had treated him unfairly, which led to charges of defamation against him. Diego Armando Maradona was born on October 30, 1960, in Buenos Aires, Argentina, and grew up in poverty alongside six siblings in a shantytown on the city’s outskirts. His circumstances improved after a talent scout recognized his abilities, paving the way for his youth team debut. By age 15, he made his professional debut for Argentinos Juniors and soon became the primary breadwinner for his struggling family. His rapid rise in Argentine football led to a move to Boca Juniors in 1981 for a $4 million transfer fee. After just one season with his beloved childhood club, he joined Barcelona in 1982 following a lackluster World Cup performance. Barcelona set a then-record transfer fee of $7.6 million to sign Maradona, and he quickly won over Spanish fans with his skill. However, his time there was marked by controversy, including a violent on-field altercation in 1984 where he attacked several Athletic Bilbao players, knocking one unconscious with a headbutt. The incident escalated into a full-blown stadium riot, resulting in his dismissal from FC Barcelona. Napoli shattered the world transfer record, paying around $10.5 million for Maradona. This move marked the peak of his career, as he led the club to two championships, including their historic first-ever title during a golden era for the team. During this period, Maradona also helped Argentina claim the 1986 World Cup title. His most infamous moment came when he scored a goal with his hand against England in a 2-1 victory, later dismissing the handball by calling it “the hand of God.” The comment remains one of soccer’s most quoted incidents. His personal demons began to derail his playing career as his off-field issues intensified. The 1990 World Cup proved disappointing for Maradona and Argentina. In 1992, he was forced to leave Napoli after testing positive for cocaine, and in 1994, he was expelled from the World Cup for another failed drug test. Over the following years, he played briefly for clubs like Sevilla and Newell's Old Boys before returning to Boca Juniors to conclude his playing days. Maradona’s cocaine addiction became widely known, with reports suggesting he was fully dependent on the drug from the mid-1980s until around 2004. His substance use severely impacted his performance, particularly during his time at Napoli, where he relied on a mafia-linked group for protection, drugs, and women as he moved through the city’s streets. His drug use ultimately led to his 1991 cocaine-positive test and his disgraceful exit from Napoli. He also tested positive for ephedrine after participating in two matches at the 1994 World Cup. Maradona’s health began deteriorating long before he retired from soccer. During his Napoli years, his lifestyle spiraled out of control, with most of his week consumed by partying between games. He also gained significant weight, visibly losing fitness as his career neared its end. After retirement, his health declined sharply, resulting in severe obesity—peaking at 280 pounds. He underwent gastric bypass surgery in 2005 to address his weight issues. Despite this intervention, Maradona continued to struggle with alcohol abuse. In 2007, he was hospitalized due to hepatitis and severe complications from heavy drinking, leading to premature death rumors. He eventually emerged from a psychiatric facility after receiving treatment for addiction. That same year, 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, he drank white wine, shouted insults at nearby fans, and flashed his middle finger at photographers. In 2019, he underwent treatment for internal bleeding caused by a hernia. The 1990s brought Maradona a series of high-profile legal troubles. In 1991, after secretly arranging a meeting with prostitutes in Napoli, he unknowingly used a wiretapped phone line to coordinate the encounter, and authorities recorded the entire exchange. Since he shared cocaine with the women, he faced multiple charges, including drug possession and distribution. After testing positive for cocaine that year, he attempted to flee to Argentina but was intercepted by Italian police, who brought him back in tears. Another scandal erupted during the 1994 FIFA World Cup when, in addition to failing a drug test and being ejected from the tournament, Maradona made headlines by firing a pellet gun at journalists from his hotel window, injuring several reporters. Four years later, he received a suspended sentence of two years and ten months for this incident. © 2026 Celebrity Net Worth / All Rights Reserved