Happy 50th Birthday: A video tribute to Diego Maradona

Today is Diego Maradonas 50th birthday so in a tribute to arguably the greatest player that ever graced the planet, here are his top 10 goals (in chronological order).

1. Diego Maradona vRiver Plate, 1981. Despite starting his career with Argentinos Juniors, Maradona is probably most identified with Boca Juniors in Argentina. This goal in the Superclasico in 1981 was typical Diego, showing incredible nonchalance to waltz round the keeper before finishing past the defender on the line.

2. Diego Maradona vReal Madrid, 1983. The ultimate big game player, theArgentinean forward scored a very similar goal to the one above in another huge derby match. He may not have been the success expected at the Nou Camp, but this goal against Real Madrid lives long in the memory.

3. Diego Maradona v Lazio, 1985. It is quite incredible how many quality goals Maradona scored whilst at Napoli, undoubtedly where he played his best club football. El Diego seemed to have an uncanny knowledge for where the goalkeeper was as this video undoubtedly proves.

4. Diego Maradona (2)v England, 1986. Quite simply the best goal ever scored in a World Cup match and it is unlikely to ever be bettered. Not only does he beat two men in his own half and finish from a tight angle, the Argentina captain simply runs faster with the ball than the England defence. A masterpiece.

5. Diego Maradona v Belgium, 1986. To prove the quarter-final goal was no fluke, Maradona waltzed past the Belgium defence in a game that featured one of the most famous photos seemingly a whole team lining up to stop Diego. This goal was the second of two in nine minutes by Maradonathat blew Belgium away in a 2-0 victory.

6. Diego Maradona v AC Milan, 1988.Maradonatook on the mighty AC Milan team that included Baresi, Rijkaard, Guillit andVan Bastenseemingly on his own in some classic encounters. This goal was scored with a ! header f rom outside the box and is another illustration that hedidnt only possess amagical left foot.

7.Claudio Caniggiav Brazil, 1990. Of course, this goal was not credited to Maradona but such was the quality of the assist that his name should be written in the record books. Brazil had dominated the match but with nine minutes remaining Maradona went on a run that would engage almost the whole of the opposition to set up his great pal.

8. Diego Maradona v Greece, 1994. Remembered by most for his crazed celebration and subsequent ban for drug abuse from the 1994 World Cup. But, taken on its own this was a terrific finish and a stunning move from an Argentina side that fell apart once Diego was taken out.

9. Diego Maradona v Argentinos Juniors, 1995. One of the constants in Maradonas career was his deadly set-pieces. This never left him, even in his second spell at Boca Juniors with retirement approaching he could still find the top corner.

10. Diego Maradona, Argentina training, 2010. Leading Argentina to the 2010 World Cup was no mean feat and his antics in South Africa were watched in awe by the whole world. Cameras followed his every move on the touchline, his press conferences were packed outwhilst in training he was caught taking part in a practice game still smoking a cigar and showed that the Jabulani could be tamed.

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