Diego Maradona
~Pelusa
Oct 30' 1960 - Nov 25' 2020
Argentina
The Exhilarating Story...
Born on October 30, 1960, Diego Armando Maradona grew up in a poor family in Villa Fiorito, a shantytown in Buenos Aires, Argentina. He was the fifth of eight children born to Diego Sr., a factory worker, and Dalma Salvadora Franco, a homemaker. Maradona's early life was filled with hardship and struggle, but he turned his passion for football into a means of escape and ultimately into a path toward greatness. Growing up in poverty, Maradona’s childhood was far from easy. The streets of Villa Fiorito were tough, and so were the living conditions. With limited resources, his family struggled to make ends meet, and young Diego often played football barefoot on dirt fields, using a makeshift ball. His talent was evident from a young age, but the road to recognition wasn’t straightforward. Maradona faced skepticism about his small stature, and many doubted whether a kid from a poor background could make it in the professional world. However, his determination and passion for football knew no bounds. He practiced relentlessly, honing his skills with a fierce drive. It was his ability to overcome the limitations of his circumstances that set him apart. By age 12, Maradona had already attracted attention as a football prodigy, showcasing his skills in halftime shows for local clubs. His persistence paid off when he was scouted by Argentinos Juniors, a club where he would soon rise to stardom. Maradona debuted for Argentinos Juniors at just 15 years old, showing signs of his brilliance early on. His dribbling skills, vision, and extraordinary ball control were unmatched, earning him a reputation as a rising star. But despite his on-field success, Maradona faced significant pressure. He was thrust into the limelight at a very young age, and the expectations placed on him were immense. The financial struggles of his family weighed heavily on him, even as his career took off. In those early days, his parents and siblings were his greatest supporters, constantly pushing him to achieve his dreams. His father, despite working long hours, found time to attend Diego’s matches, while his mother encouraged him to stay humble and focused. Diego Maradona’s career reached its pinnacle during the 1986 FIFA World Cup, where he almost single-handedly led Argentina to victory. His performance was marked by two of the most iconic goals in football history during the quarter-final against England: the infamous "Hand of God" goal and the "Goal of the Century," where Maradona dribbled past five English players to score. It was a moment that defined his career and made him a legend. However, the same determination that brought him success also came with challenges. Fame came at a price, and Maradona struggled with the pressures of being a global icon. The excesses of his lifestyle began to take a toll, leading him down a path of substance abuse. These battles with addiction affected his career and health, causing him to miss games and face suspensions. Throughout his journey, Maradona was surrounded by people who played crucial roles in helping him overcome his struggles. Coaches like Carlos Bilardo and friends like Guillermo Coppola, who served as his manager, stood by his side during some of his darkest moments. Their belief in Maradona's talent and efforts to guide him back on track were instrumental. Maradona also credited his daughters, Dalma and Gianinna, as his motivation to recover. His love for his family pushed him to seek help, and in 2004, he underwent rehabilitation to address his addiction. His journey to recovery was long and difficult, but Maradona never lost his fighting spirit. Even after retiring from professional football, Maradona's legacy continued to inspire millions. He took on roles as a coach, leading teams in Argentina and abroad, including the Argentine national team during the 2010 World Cup. Maradona’s life was a tale of resilience, showing that even the most gifted athletes are not immune to struggles. Sadly, Maradona passed away on November 25, 2020, at the age of 60 due to a heart attack. His death sent shockwaves through the world of football, with tributes pouring in from every corner of the globe. In recent news, legal battles surrounding his estate have emerged, but his legacy as one of football's greatest ever remains untouched. Maradona's life teaches us that even in the face of adversity, greatness is achievable. Despite coming from a background of poverty and facing numerous personal battles, he rose to become one of the most celebrated athletes in history. His story is a reminder that with passion, persistence, and the right support, we can overcome the toughest obstacles.
“
I am more afraid of being nobody than of being someone.
Career
Last updated: Oct 20' 2024
Argentinos Juniors
- Career: 1976-1981
- Total Appearances: 166
- Total Goals: 116
Boca Juniors
- Career: 1981-1982
- Total Appearances: 40
- Total Goals: 28
Barcelona
- Career: 1982-1984
- Total Appearances: 36
- Total Goals: 22
Napoli
- Career: 1984-1991
- Total Appearances: 188
- Total Goals: 81
Sevilla
- Career: 1992-1993
- Total Appearances: 26
- Total Goals: 5
Newell's Old Boys
- Career: 1993-1994
- Total Appearances: 5
Boca Juniors
- Career: 1995-1997
- Total Appearances: 30
- Total Goals: 7
Argentina Football Team
- Career: 1977-1994
- Total Appearances: 91
- Total Goals: 34
Achievements
Boca Juniors
- 1x Argentine Primera División
Barcelona
- 1x Copa del Rey
- 1x Copa de la Liga
Napoli
- 2x Serie A
- 1x Coppa Italia
- 1x Supercoppa Italiana
- 1x UEFA Cup
Argentina U20
- 1x FIFA World Youth Championship
Argentina
- 1x FIFA World Cup
- 1x Artemio Franchi Cup
Individual
- 5x Argentine Primera División Top Scorer
- 1x FIFA World Youth Championship Golden Ball
- 1x FIFA World Youth Championship Silver Shoe
- 2x Olimpia de Oro
- 3x Guerin Sportivo World Player of the Year
- 4x Argentine Football Writers' Footballer of the Year
- 6x El Mundo South American Footballer of the Year
- 2x El Gráfico Footballer of the Americas
- 5x Guerin Sportivo World All-star Team
- 2x Eric Batty's World XI
- 4x Serie A Team of The Year
- 1x Guerin d'Oro
- 5x Onze de Onze
- 1x FIFA World Cup Golden Ball
- 1x FIFA World Cup Silver Shoe
- 1x FIFA World Cup Most Assists
- 1x L'Équipe Champion of Champions
- 2x Onze d'Or
- 2x La Gazzetta dello Sport Footballer of the Year
- 1x Serie A Top Scorer
- 1x Coppa Italia Top Scorer
- 1x FIFA World Cup Bronze Ball
- 2x El País Ideal Team of the Americas
- 1x FIFA World Cup All-Time Team
- 1x Ballon d'Or for services to football
- 1x FIFA Player of the Century
- 1x FIFA Goal of the Century
- 1x FIFA World Cup Dream Team
- 1x Golden Foot
- 1x FIFA 100 Greatest Living Players
- 1x Italian Football Hall of Fame
- 1x Ballon d'Or Dream Team
- 1x IFFHS All-time Men's Dream Team
- 1x IFFHS South America Men's Team of All Time
Celebrating
Raum
Football
Nov 05' 2025
Celebrating Grit & Perseverance David Raum.
Born on 22 April 1998 in Nürnberg, Germany, David Raum grew up with a dream that began in a local neighbourhood and would one day carry him to the highest levels of German football. From the moment he first kicked a ball as a child, the spark was lit. While we don’t have widely published details of his parents’ full names or life story, it is clear that David’s upbringing in a sporting and disciplined environment laid a foundation for his future success. At the age of eight, David was scouted and joined the youth academy of SpVgg Greuther Fürth after beginning his football with the local club Tuspo Nürnberg. That step was neither automatic nor easy: promising young athletes often face intense competition, high expectations from coaches and family, and the need to balance school and sport. This is the moment many dreams are challenged. David’s path was not a straight line to stardom. He had to work his way up through the youth divisions and make appearances in the senior sides of Greuther Fürth’s second team before earning his place in the first team. At times he was a substitute, at times he sought minutes on the pitch. Emotionally managing that uncertainty, keeping belief in himself, and surviving the pressure of performing each training session and match became part of his learning. For any young player, these are the defining hours of growth. With promotion to the Bundesliga and then a move to RB Leipzig on 31 July 2022 under a five-year deal, Raum stepped into a wider spotlight. At this stage he had built the physical attributes (1.81 m in height) and technical consistency required at elite level. But just as important was his mindset: he kept practicing free-kicks, improving his left-back role, and staying after training to refine what most skip. No athlete succeeds alone. David’s journey underlines the value of coaches who believed in him, teammates who pushed him, and the support system behind the scenes fitness staff, family, school mentors. While specific names of all these helpers aren’t always public, his own comments after scoring his first senior international goal reflect gratitude for those who stayed behind the scenes and emphasised hard work. For young players reading this: identify your team of helpers, stay loyal to them and allow them to challenge you, not just comfort you. On 10 October 2025, Raum scored his first goal for the German national team in a 4-0 win against Luxembourg coming from a direct free-kick. It was reward for years of persistence and training. He said he stayed after training to practise free-kicks. That goal marked a milestone not just statistically but emotionally: a young boy from Nürnberg, years of growth later, standing on the international stage. David’s story teaches a handful of key lessons: - Start early and stay consistent. He moved into structured youth football at eight and kept going. - Embrace the grind. The hours after everyone leaves the pitch, the extra practice, the mindset of continuous improvement. - Allow for setbacks. Being a substitute, having limited minutes, managing slow growth these are not failures, they are growth opportunities. - Surround yourself with a growth team. Coaches, family, teammates, support staff all part of your ecosystem. - Think big but act step by step. His move to the Bundesliga and then national team didn’t happen overnight but built on each stage before. Here is where the mission of 8lete becomes clear. For young athletes and clubs alike, 8lete offers a platform and ecosystem that mirror the support systems David benefited from. Whether it is coaching tools, club-player connectivity, career guidance, or performance analytics - 8lete aims to replicate the kind of structure that allowed Raum to succeed. If you are a young player, 8lete can help you set milestones, track progress, get feedback from mentors, and build your personal network of helpers just like David did. To every young player reading this: imagine your version of David’s journey. Your birthday deserves mention in your own narrative. Your hometown, your first club, your first big triumph. And then ask: who are my coaches, my mentors, my support system? Where do I sharpen my skills? Where do I get extra hours? Where do I handle setbacks? Use David’s path as inspiration: born in Nürnberg in 1998, rising to captain a top Bundesliga club and score for the national team. Your path might differ but the principles hold. David Raum’s life shows that talent matters, yes but talent without work and structure may not get far. The combination of early foundation, perseverance, supportive helpers, mindset and smart career moves creates momentum. 8lete is built for that journey: to offer young players the tools, community and structure to turn ambition into achievement. So whatever position you play, whatever club you represent take one more extra practice, believe in your growth, honour your support team and remember: your breakthrough may be around the corner. Use David’s story as fuel, and use 8lete as your platform.
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Celebrating
Alex
Football
Oct 29' 2025
Celebrating Talent & Perseverance Alejandro Grimaldo García.
When we look at the career of Alejandro Grimaldo García (born 20 September 1995) we see much more than a professional footballer. We see a story of resilience, ambition, support and strategic progression - a story that holds powerful lessons for any young athlete who dreams of making it. Born in Valencia, Spain, Grimaldo’s journey is marked by early promise, sudden setbacks, unwavering support, and eventual triumphs on big stages. From a young age, Alejandro showed a hunger for football. Growing up in Valencia, he developed his skills at local academies before moving to one of the most prestigious youth systems in world football. His family, though not always headline-making, provided the roots and environment that allowed his talent to emerge. While specific details of his parents are not widely documented, the underlying truth is that many young players depend on stable support at home to navigate early football challenges. Grimaldo’s early move from his hometown to academies shows a family willing to invest in his dream. At the age of 13, Grimaldo joined the youth set-up of FC Barcelona (La Masia) in 2008. This was a major step: moving away from home, adapting to higher standards, competing amongst gifted peers. He debuted for Barcelona B at just 15 years and 349 days old, becoming the youngest player in the Segunda Division at that time. That kind of early exposure can be both blessing and burden: immense opportunity, but also intense pressure. The turning point in his youth came in the form of a serious knee injury: Grimaldo suffered an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tear in February 2013. For a teenager whose trajectory seemed assured, this represented a critical test. Managing physical recovery, mental resilience, and maintaining belief are key in such moments. Here, the role of coaches, medical staff, family and mentors become indispensable. Grimaldo’s ability to come back demonstrated character. After his recovery, he played for Barcelona B, later moving to Portuguese club S.L. Benfica in January 2016 on a 1.5 million € transfer. This move required adapting to a new country, culture and league. For a young player that is demanding: new language, new expectations, fresh competition. Yet, Grimaldo turned this challenge into an opportunity, working hard, integrating, and gradually becoming a mainstay. At Benfica, Grimaldo evolved into one of the leading left-backs/wing-backs in Europe. He developed a reputation for attacking impetus, set-piece threat and defensive reliability. His journey underscores that talent alone isn’t sufficient - refining one’s style, specialising (free-kicks, wing-backs who attack) and building a unique value are essential. In November 2023, Grimaldo received his first call-up to the senior Spain national team and made his debut shortly thereafter. In May 2023 he signed for German club Bayer 04 Leverkusen on a free transfer. His first season at Leverkusen culminated in a Bundesliga title (2023-24) and major contributions in assists and goals. This journey from local club in Valencia to winning major trophies highlights what consistent work and strategic moves can yield. No athlete succeeds in isolation. In Grimaldo’s story we find coaches at Barcelona’s youth academy, physiotherapists during injury rehab, teammates who pushed standards, and club platforms that trusted him (Benfica, Leverkusen). For young players the lesson is clear: your support network, choice of club/environment and ability to latch on to mentors matter as much as raw talent. Lessons for Young Players – and How 8lete Connects to the Journey Here is where our ecosystem, 8lete, comes into play. Grimaldo’s journey offers these actionable lessons: - Start young but stay grounded. Like Grimaldo moved to Barcelona’s youth set-up, early access matters. Through 8lete we empower young players with educational modules, mindset coaching and skill-development frameworks. - Build resilience through setbacks. Injury or failure are part of the path. Grimaldo’s rehab phase was critical. 8lete integrates mental-fitness training, recovery planning and peer communities. - Choose environments that elevate you. His shift to Benfica was strategic. For a young player in India or elsewhere, 8lete’s network helps identify academies, pathways and mentors aligned with ambition. - Cultivate a unique value-add. Grimaldo’s set-piece skill, attacking from left-back differentiated him. 8lete helps players define their “edge” – whether it’s technical, tactical or physical. - Leverage team culture and mentoring. Grimaldo had both. 8lete fosters peer networks, coach-connect programs, and community events so players never feel isolated. - Aim for progression not just immediate results. The move to Leverkusen came when the timing was right. 8lete’s career-mapping tools help young players and coaches plan milestones, not just wins. In a world where young athletes face early burnout, overselling, lack of guidance, Grimaldo’s story is a beacon. It’s real. It’s demanding. It’s achievable. And it connects to our mission at 8lete: giving young players the tools, the mindset, the network to move from promise to performance to legacy. For every young footballer who dreams of Europe or national caps, Grimaldo’s path is proof: if you combine talent, vulnerability, strategic support and persistence, you can make your mark. As you read this, imagine yourself as that young athlete. Imagine the early days of kicking a ball in your neighbourhood, the trials you face, the coaches you may have, the injuries or dips in form you will encounter. Then think: what would my “Grimaldo moment” look like? What would define the next step? At 8lete we believe: You don’t wait for opportunity - you build it. You don’t hope for talent - you refine it. You don’t simply play - you plan, reflect, adapt, grow. And just as Alejandro Grimaldo went from Valencia youth to Bundesliga champion and Spain international, you too have the blueprint. Let’s make your next chapter legendary.
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Celebrating
Don Fábio
Football
Oct 23' 2025
Celebrating Support & Resilience Fábio Coentrão.
Fábio Alexandre da Silva Coentrão was born on 11 March 1988 in Vila do Conde, Portugal. He grew up in the fishing‐neighbourhood of Caxinas and from an early age was part of a community defined by hard work and the sea. His father, Bernardino Coentrão, worked as a fisherman. His mother is Josefina Serrão. The environment he grew up in instilled values of humility, discipline and persistence - qualities every young athlete needs. Growing up in a working‐class neighbourhood, Coentrão did not have the luxuries many young talents elsewhere might expect. He started his youth career with his hometown club Rio Ave F.C. and made his first senior appearances while the club struggled with relegation and promotion battles. At 16 he was already playing for the senior side. He endured loan spells and had to adapt, proving that the path to the top is not always straight. In July 2007 Coentrão moved to S.L. Benfica at the age of 19, one of Portugal’s top clubs. While at Benfica he worked hard, endured loans to build experience, and eventually became a key left‐back. His breakout season came in 2009-10 when he earned major recognition. On the international front he debuted for the senior Portuguese national team in November 2009. The turn came in July 2011 when Coentrão signed with Real Madrid C.F. for around €30 million. While this was a dream move, it also brought intense competition, injuries and periods when playtime was limited. He had to adapt to a global club, major expectations, and the mental stress that comes with it. His story demonstrates that even after reaching the top, staying there requires resilience. Throughout his career Coentrão faced injuries and challenges: being loaned out, adapting to different positions, and handling the pressure of big transfers. He remained rooted in his early experience: the sea, his father’s fishing boat, the hometown of Caxinas. After retirement he chose to return to his fishing roots and acknowledged how important that background was. For young athletes, the lesson is clear: no matter your level of success, your identity and your discipline matter. Behind Coentrão’s journey were the people who believed in him: his parents, especially his father who introduced him to the sea and taught him hard work; coaches who gave him chances and pushed him; teammates who challenged him. Having meaningful support structures is vital. For young players today, programmes like 8lete can replicate that support: mentorship, structured training, mental resilience coaching and networking. When Coentrão eventually stepped away from professional football, he embraced a second chapter: returning to the sea as a fisherman and even investing in other ventures. His story is not just about football but about transitioning, respecting your roots, and planning for life beyond the pitch. This is a critical message for young athletes: your identity and career go beyond playing days. In early 2025 Coentrão made headlines for being under investigation for an alleged illegal seafood operation in northern Portugal, where over a ton of undocumented seafood was seized. The incident underscores that even champions can face pitfalls when moving into new business arenas, reinforcing that discipline, legality and good support are essential. For young athletes and their support networks, this highlights the need for proper guidance when venturing outside sport. How 8lete can help young players following this blueprint The story of Fábio Coentrão offers several key lessons: humble beginnings do not limit you, support and mentorship matter, setbacks are part of the journey, planning beyond sport is smart, and discipline remains non-negotiable. A platform like 8lete can provide: Mentorship: pairing young athletes with former pros or coaches who understand the journey. Holistic development: physical, technical, mental and career guidance (including life after sport). Support network: community of athletes, coaches and families. Resources: structured training, goal setting, tracking progress and resilience development. Transition planning: helping athletes prepare for what comes after competition. Using these elements, 8lete can help replicate the positive parts of Coentrão’s journey while helping avoid some of the missteps. Fábio Alexandre da Silva Coentrão’s life is a powerful narrative: from a fishing town in Portugal to the heights of club and international football, and then back to his roots. He embodies the notion that talent must be accompanied by work, support, resilience and planning. For young players with dreams, his journey proves it can be done but also that success is multifaceted. With 8lete’s guidance and infrastructure, budding athletes can build their own path: one where humility meets ambition, where roots meet wings, and where every challenge becomes a stepping stone. May his story inspire you to work hard, seek the right support and never forget where you came from. Dream big, stay grounded and let 8lete help you make it real.
