Diego Maradona: 50 years since professional debut

October 20 marks the 50th anniversary of Diego Armando Maradona’s professional debut in the Argentine Primera División. At just 15 years, 11 months, and 20 days old, the future legend played for Argentinos Juniors in a match against Talleres de Córdoba at the La Paternal stadium.

Maradona entered the game at the start of the second half, replacing Rubén Aníbal Giacobetti while wearing the number 16 jersey. Although Argentinos Juniors lost the match 1-0, Maradona’s performance immediately signaled his extraordinary talent. His first significant move was a ‘caño’ (nutmeg) performed on Talleres midfielder Juan Domingo Cabrera, an act that became a defining anecdote of his early career.

Under the guidance of coach Juan Carlos Montes, this debut launched a historic career that saw Maradona play for clubs including Boca Juniors, Barcelona, Napoli, and Sevilla, while leading the Argentina national team to World Cup glory. The milestone serves as a reminder of the beginning of a journey that transformed the sport globally.