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Diego Armando Maradona passed away in his home at the age of 60 this week, after suffering heart failure.

More technically, “acute secondary lung oedema to exacerbated chronic heart failure”, according to CNN’s source.

His life of excess, and the demons that followed him throughout his playing career and into retirement, have been well documented.

Liam Gallagher has a classic story to tell, involving an Oasis concert in Buenos Aires, a chance meeting with the legend, and some firm instructions to leave Maradona’s posse of women alone.

Then there is Maradona’s connection to Naples, Italy, both with the people and the local Mafia, best documented in this documentary.

Fun fact – if you start searching ‘Maradona highlights’ on YouTube, halfway through the second word you’re greeted with some interesting auto-complete options:

His 2014 World Cup sideline antics are clearly trending.

Putting all of that aside, the real reason he rose to superstardom is his on-field ability, and he features in any serious conversation around who is the greatest footballer of all time.

I won’t have a poke at that debate, but to get a little snapshot of what he was capable of, let’s settle in and watch his most popular highlights reel.

This is nearing 20 million views

Maradona guided Argentina to World Cup victory in 1986, scoring twice versus England in the quarter-final.

The first goal will always be remembered as ‘the hand of God’, superbly unpacked in this blow-by-blow account, which also delves into the Falklands War and why there was so much animosity between the countries.

The second goal will be remembered for its breathtaking audacity, and if you want to understand the joy Maradona brought to the nation, listen to the commentary of Víctor Hugo Morales:

A cosmic kite from another planet is about as accurate a description as you’ll ever hear.

[source:youtube]