The seven stages of Diego Maradona

By Pat Devery

Almost, but not quite, single-handedly, the Argentina manager has made World Cup 2010 worth watching. His manic presence on the sidelines is almost as mesmerising as was his majestic presence on it.

More so than perhaps any other footballer, Maradona has enthralled and enraged in equal measure; a man blessed with angels and cursed by demons; a man who had everything before snorting it up his nose.

And yet his reputation, while tarnished, remains undiminished. What journey has brought this global sporting superstar full circle, and back into the adoring spotlight of public attention?

1: The prodigy

The talents of Diego Maradona were there for all to see early. At just 10, he was spotted by a talent scout and enlisted to play in Buenos Aires' junior team the Little Onions. None then could have known the tears – both joyful and shameful – that this Little Onion would cause to be shed.

2: The young star

In 1976, and aged just 15, Maradona made his professional debut for Argentinos Juniors. In 1979, he captained Argentina's cup-winning youth World Championship team. That was enough for Sheffield United, who thought to entice the brilliant young Argentine to the club for £180,000. They thought wrong. By 1981, Maradona had been transferred to Boca for £1m and was poised to play in all five matches of his country's unsuccessful 1982 World Cup defence.

3: The firebrand

After the '82 World Cup, Maradona made his way to Barcelona for a world-record fee of £5m. It was to be the storm before the storm. Beset by injuries and constantly feuding with team officials, Maradona never settled in Spain. Despite on-field success, he demanded a transfer and, in 1985, landed with Italian club Napoli.

4: The legend

The time at Napoli would stamp Diego Maradona not only as the world's best player, but perhaps the best of all time. He transformed the club, taking it to two Championships and its most successful era. Maradona's stint at Napoli was punctuated by the 1986 World Cup, where he became the most famous sportsman on the planet. Brilliance, controversy and 'the goal of the century' conspired to thrust the No.10 into the realms of the immortals; a status confirmed when Argentina defeated West Germany to win the tournament.

But there was a darker side to Maradona's time in Italy. He became tardy, was fined for missing practice and matches, and endured a controversy over an illegitimate son. His involvement with the mafia-like Camorra was brought into question. In 1991, Maradona tested positive for cocaine and was banned for 15 months. Football's brightest star had fallen.

5: The dark years

Battling drug addiction and with his best football far behind his increasingly hefty frame, Maradona made one last appearance at a World Cup in 1994. It would go down in infamy. He played just two matches before being sent home after testing positive to ephedrine.

The world's once-greatest footballer became obese. In 2000 he was hospitalised with a heart complaint and tried to get clean in Cuba. The attempt failed. He drank heavily and almost died in 2004 from a heart attack induced by an overdose of cocaine. Alcoholism led to hepatitis and another hospital stay in 2007. Maradona broke his drug habit and quit drinking. He had gastric bypass surgery, lost weight and started looking for work.

6: The manager

The job he landed surprised everyone. With little coaching experience – and none of it successful – Maradona was handed the reins of the national team in 2008. The early signs were not encouraging. A 6-1 drubbing at the hands of Bolivia had Argentina battling to qualify for South Africa. When it did, the coach told the world's football media to "suck it, and keep on sucking it". The comments earned Maradona a ban, but pundits who prophesied his demise are indeed still sucking it. Argentina has played the most sparkling football of the World Cup and, with the brilliant Lionel Messi running the on-field show, could easily go on to lift its third championship.

7: The politician

Could a political career be in the offing for Maradona post-football? He has made no secret of his left-leaning political philosophies, or his admiration for Fidel Castro (he even sports a tattoo of Castro on his leg, to go with the Che Guevara tat on his arm). In 2007, on Venezuelan TV, he said: "I hate everything that comes from the United States. I hate it with all my strength"; which would have made it interesting if Argentina had run into the US in the knockout stages. One thing is for sure, if Maradona ever figures in Argentina's political life, he will at least be in a position to deal with the Italian government over the 37 million euros he owes there in taxes.