Maradona: The Autobiography of Soccer's Greatest and Most Controversial Star

Much like his colorful and controversial life,this autobiography is told with flair, El Diego's unique flair. This book will entertain the soccer fan with soccer stories told in a frank and gritty style. Diego Maradona, arguably one of the best players to ever emerge to the international level, surely one of the most contentious, is honest about his soccer exploits but skirts around some of the controversy surrounding his life. I believe Maradona wanted to highlight his play on the field and leave the controversies behind. He does go into detail about his early life in Argentina,his rise from poverty, playing on the Youth National Squad and the winning of various awards thoughout his career.Included is an assortment of black and white and color photographs. You come away from reading this book knowing there is no doubt that Diego loves Diego; self depricating is nowhere to be found in this book. However, Maradona is quick to blame the powers that be for many of the problems surrounding soccer. He does talk about his infamous goal in the '86 World Cup competition. Possibly one of the most known goals, the one known as the "hand of God" against the English in World Cup 1986, is talked about by El Diego with no regrets. He admits to using his hand and justifies it by saying he would do it again(if he could getaway with it). El Diego throws around the f word freely in the book to further illustrate his devil may care attitude. You get the feeling that Diego is just being Diego. He dedicates about a chapter to each period of his carrer, beginning with his early years with Argentina clubs, most notably Argentina Juniors and the National Side, his stint with Boca Juniors, the frustration of Spain '82(he didn't make the squad), playing for Barcelona FC, his league play in Italy, the glory(depending on your view) of Mexico'86, several('87 & '89) Copa America Cups, Italia'90 World Cup, the embarrassment of USA'94(he tested positive)where he was removed from the squad and his farewell tour with Boca in '95 & '96. He talks about his enemies and those that he admires with complete honesty; you come away thinking Maradona is misunderstood, that he is just human and subject to making mistakes like anyone else. I only wish he would have been a little more adamant about the evil of drugs and how it ruined him. Granted he admits to his long addiction and says that people should stay away from cocaine but he could have told more about how it screwed him up physically and mentally. There had to have been a book worth of horror stories to tell about his extensive addiction. Nonetheless, this is a good book for the soccer afficionado, about one of soccer's most controversial and loved characters. It was a wild ride and Diego wants you to know that he is El Diego, one of the best players to ever wear the stripe.

A clearly established soccer legend, Diego Maradona also excels as a storyteller. Starting out poor in Buenos Aires, Maradona tells of his rise to fame, and all the hardships that come with it. Love him or hate him, this book is honest, and sincere and comes across in the writing.

As I grew up in Europe before sattelite TV and the Champions' League the only time I ever heard of Maradona was at the world cups. The book provides a really good account of his career for those of us who didn't know much beyond the international games, but it also reveals a lot about the man himself. Maradona's enthusiasm for the game and his story is remarkable. The book is well written and very readable.

Written with passion and coherence, Diego goes back to his humble beginnings and takes us all the way to being offered 100 million dollars for his commercial rights (remember it was the 80's...) ....but his story is not about money. It's about being the best and having the wits to understand it while being there....very well written (because the book was structured with a team of journalists...)....it is a pleasure to know about him straight up from him and not through somebody else's understanding of somebody else's life. Go ahead ...get it.

As any true lover of football , I admire and love Maradona. I am against any comparisons with Pele, for the simple reason that Pele was an excellent player while Diego is the game itself, a unique example of uncomprimising talent. People that critise him should be aware of the fact that Diego was a true human being, and human beings are not flawless. However, Maradona did not need the help of any media or sponsors to crown himself as the indisputable king of football. Maradona was an artist and as all artists , he has vices , yet all his vices make bring him even more close to us, the people who will always love him.