Diego Armando Maradona’s retirement wasn’t a sudden switch off—it was the end of a long, turbulent journey. In this article, BraeckBall will take you through the real reasons behind why did Maradona retire,.
Early signs that things were slipping
Even while Maradona was still dazzling fans in the early to mid-1990s, cracks were beginning to show in his armor—physically, mentally, and socially.
- Physical decline and weight struggles: Maradona’s explosive dribbling and stamina began to suffer as he aged. Weight issues and inconsistent fitness became more frequent, especially after suspensions and time off the pitch.
- Injuries & muscular problems: By the late 90s, he often played through pain, with muscle injuries and contractures making it harder to stay match-fit.
- Off‐field issues: Drug addiction, legal problems, and rumours about failed doping tests began to weigh on him more than his on-field performance alone.
The major incidents that hastened the end
These events didn’t directly end his career by law or regulation, but they created pressure and circumstances that made retirement more likely.
Drug bans and doping scandals
- In 1991, while at Napoli, Maradona was banned from football for 15 months after testing positive for cocaine.
- In the 1994 World Cup, he failed a drug test for ephedrine (aned stimulant) after Argentina’s match against Nigeria. That led to his expulsion.
Emotional, psychological, and family pressures
- Maradona often spoke about how the stress of public scrutiny, rumours (especially about drug use), and the effects on his family were enormous burdens.
- There were moments when he said he couldn’t keep going not just for himself but because of what those around him were experiencing with the rumours, legal troubles, and negative attention.
The final whistle: retirement in 1997
Everything came together in late 1997. Here’s how it happened:
- On October 25, 1997, Maradona played what would be his last professional match for Boca Juniors—a Superclásico vs. River Plate, one of the fiercest rivalries in Argentine football. He only managed to play the first half before being substituted due to a muscular complaint. Boca won 2–1.
- Five days later, on his 37th birthday, October 30, 1997, he officially announced his retirement, saying that the physicalll, persistent injuries, and mounting criticism had become too much.
Why all these reasons mattered together
No single reason alone would likely have ended Maradona’s career when it did. But when combined, they formed a perfect storm:
|
Factor |
How it pushed him toward retirement |
|
Health / injuries |
Reduced his playing time, diminished his athleticism, made training and matches painful. |
|
Drug use and bans |
Created suspensions, hurt his reputation, undermined his sense of stability. |
|
Fatigue with public scrutiny |
Constant rumours, doping investigations, media pressure wore him down emotionally. |
|
Age |
At 37, few players can keep up pace in elite football—particularly someone with his past. |
What happened after retirement
- Maradona stayed in the public eye—coaching stints, media work, travelling. His off-field struggles didn’t end, especially with health and addiction.
- There were talks of return, offers.
Conclusion
Why did Maradona retire can be summed up as: because the toll of time, health, controversies, and emotional weight finally outweighed theto keep playing. It was inevitable once those pressures built up, though when it happened—his last match in October 1997—it carried the weight of tragedy and relief all at once.
If you want, BraeckBall can share a timeline of his career decline or compare Maradona’s retirement to other legends who left the game under pressure (like Ronaldo, Zidane, etc.). Want me to pull that together?
