Padel was a Hidden Passion of Diego Maradona
Diego Maradona was a legend on the football field — and surprisingly, also on the padel court. This lesser-known side of the Argentine icon reveals his genuine talent and lasting passion for the sport. Fans are only now discovering how serious he was about the game many call Argentina’s second sport.
Maradona’s Padel Passion
Maradona didn’t treat padel as a casual pastime, it was an essential part of his workout routine. His son, Diego Jr., confirmed that Maradona played padel twice weekly and that the whole family shared the passion. Coaches like Nito Brea remember him as a “phenomenon” on court, complimenting powerful points and friendly encouragements after matches. Even at 1992’s inaugural Padel World Championship in Spain, while contracted to Sevilla, Maradona skipped a pre-match training camp to support Argentina’s padel team and even co-commentated the final live. He even built a private padel court in Naples and showcased his talent in Dubai, earning a reputation not just as a football icon, but as a serious padel player too.
Padel’s Rise & Maradona
Maradona’s involvement coincided with padel’s explosive growth in Argentina and Spain, with the sport being played by over 25 million people in 90+ countries now. His public appearances and competitive spirit lent star power to padel in the 1990s, aligning with the sport’s move from private courts to mainstream clubs. Today, Argentina remains a Padel powerhouse, always reaching finals in world competitions, and Maradona is remembered not just as a football genius, but also as a passionate early adopter of the game. His padel legacy lives on in club tournaments and celebrity exhibitions, proving that whether on grass or glass, El Diego left his magic wherever he played.
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