Welcome to It Was What It Was, the football history podcast. This week Jonathan Wilson and Rob Draper bring a two-part special focussing on the decline of one of the greatest footballers ever, Diego Maradona. In part one, our co-hosts talk about Maradona's struggles with drug addiction, failed drug tests, and his eventual 15-month ban from football after a positive cocaine test in 1991. Despite these challenges, Maradona's impact on both the Napoli and Argentina national teams remained significant. Discover the infamous 5-0 defeat of Argentina by Colombia in 1993 and explore why the nation clamoured for Maradona's return to save their 1994 World Cup hopes. The episode provides a comprehensive look at Maradona's turbulent years leading up to his attempts at making a comeback. Join us on Friday for Part Two. 00:00 Introduction and Context 00:30 The Decline of Diego Maradona 02:01 The Infamous Argentina vs. Colombia Match 04:57 The Fallout and National Disgrace 10:48 Maradona's Cultural Significance 16:04 Maradona's Turbulent Life in Naples 23:51 Maradona's Decline and Struggles with Fitness 25:19 Cocaine Scandal and Legal Troubles 26:53 The Fake Penis Incident and Drug Test 30:53 Maradona's Radical Detox and Support System 34:17 Political Context and Maradona's Popularity 39:52 Return to Football and Move to Sevilla 44:04 Struggles in Sevilla and Final Decline 47:52 Personal Breakdown and Return to Roots Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
