Notorious for his wild lifestyle, Argentina great Diego Maradona turns 60 on Friday in far more sober circumstances sheltered in self-isolation to protect him from the coronavirus pandemic.
Having suffered two heart attacks in the last 20 years and contracted hepatitis, Maradona’s precaution after a bodyguard started displaying coronavirus symptoms earlier this week is understandable.
A life of excesses with cocaine and alcohol have taken their toll on the mercurial talent’s health.
“It was impossible that this lad would turn out well,” said former international and Boca Juniors team-mate Hugo Perotti said earlier this year.
Perotti was referring to Maradona’s early fame that set him on a path to brilliance, glory but also excess and almost tragedy.
Born in a poor Buenos Aires neighborhood on October 30, 1960, Diego Armando Maradona quickly marked himself out as special talen
For 25 years he insisted he had only two daughters, Dalma and Giannina, born in 1987 and 1988 to Claudia Villafane, his childhood sweetheart who was his wife for 24 years.
Since their divorce, Maradona has admitted to fathering at least five children in Italy, Cuba and Argentina through extra-marital affairs.
He also had a child, Diego Fernando, in 2013 with his now ex-girlfriend Veronica Ojeda.
“Three more and you’ll have an team of 11. You can do it!” Giannina goaded him sarcastically on Instagram.