What did Diego Maradona do with the first salary he earned as a professional footballer?

Throughout his life, Diego Armando Maradona was a figure of contradictions, as is common with any human being. But one thing that remained constant until his final days was his deep love and respect for his parents, Don Diego and Doña Tota. Maradona often spoke about the values instilled in him by his father, Don Diego, particularly his work ethic and dedication to providing for the family.

From his mother, Doña Tota, he learned the true meaning of sacrifice, as she often went without food to ensure her children had enough to eat, a realization Maradona came to only later in life.

Despite his complex and at times controversial nature, Maradona always held his family close. His parents were present at every key moment of his life, including the unforgettable phone call he made to them after scoring the two legendary goals against England in the 1986 World Cup.

From Humble Beginnings to Global Fame

Before dreaming of representing Argentina and winning the World Cup, Maradona's journey was shaped by humble beginnings. He grew up in the Villa Fiorito slums, played for the local team Cebollitas, and honed his skills at Argentinos Juniors.

It was at Argentinos that he made his professional debut in Argentina’s top division, but at that time, salaries were far from what players earn today. In an interview with TyC Sports in 2019, Maradona recalled how he spent his first paycheck: “I spent it at La Rumba in Pompeya, just my mom and me. We ate everything and drank everything. My mom was a trooper,” he reminisced.

He also shared how, despite being one of the lowest-paid players at Argentinos, he felt rich in the experience: "We seemed like Bill Gates and Queen Sofia. We ate some amazing pizzas and drank an enormous cold soda. I wanted to buy the place, but that was one of the few times I was told no."

• Diego Maradona was raised in the Villa Fiorito slums and began playing football at a young age with local teams like Cebollitas.
• His professional debut came at Argentinos Juniors, where he earned a modest salary, reflective of the financial realities of the 1970s.
• In his first interview about his earnings, Maradona revealed he spent his first paycheck treating his mother to a feast at La Rumba in Pompeya.
• Despite being one of the lowest-paid players at the club, Maradona recalled feeling wealthy from the experience, sharing simple but joyful moments with his mother.
• Maradona's parents, Don Diego and Doña Tota, were always by his side, and he cherished their sacrifices throughout his career.