PEOPLE WE ALL LOVE IN SPORTS

Diego Maradona | Eusébio | Michael Jordan | Muhammad Ali | Niki Lauda

Diego Maradona | 1960
Lanús, Argentina

Some argue that Maradona deserves the title of greatest player of all time, normally given to Pelé. In fact, the person who most strongly defends this statement is Maradona himself. And if this attribution is really controversial, it will no longer be saying that Maradona is the greatest of all Bad Boys in the history of football.

Owner of unique speed and dribbling technique, Maradona became world famous at the World Cup in Mexico in 1986, where Argentina became champions largely thanks to him. It was at this time that he received the nickname El Pibe, for the fantastic championship he achieved, for having scored what was considered the Goal of the Century and for having scored another irregular one, with his fist, which was called "the Hand of God" .

His career also involved the use of drugs, alcohol and much controversy with the press, which even involved shooting with an air rifle.

Diego Maradona passed away at the age of 60, on November 25, 2020, victim of cardio-respiratory arrest.

Eusébio | 1942 - 2014
Maputo, Mozambique

Eusébio da Silva Ferreira, was one of the greatest football players in the history of Portugal and a legend of world football. Born in Mozambique, then a Portuguese colony, Eusébio began his football career at local club Sporting de Lourenço Marques.

His controversial transfer to Benfica, in 1960, occurred like a true action film, given the greed of the clubs that wanted him, it marked the beginning of a legendary journey in football. Eusébio quickly established himself as one of the most talented and prolific players of his generation, winning titles at both national and international level with Benfica.

Known as the "Black Panther", Eusébio was an extremely skilled player, with exceptional speed and a powerful shot. His ability to score goals and his ability to dribble past opponents made him a feared and respected figure among his rivals.

Eusébio reached the peak of his career at the 1966 World Cup, held in England, where he led the Portuguese team to the semi-finals and finished as the tournament's top scorer, with nine goals scored. His extraordinary performance at the World Cup solidified his reputation as one of the greatest football players of all time.

Throughout his career, Eusébio scored more than 700 goals and won numerous awards and honors, including the Ballon d'Or in 1965, which recognized him as the best player in Europe. After his retirement, he continued to be an important figure in the world of football, serving as an ambassador for the sport and inspiring generations of players.

Sir Bobby Charlton, one of England's greatest players of all time, said: "Eusébio was one of the most fantastic players I have ever seen. He was my idol and the idol of all Portuguese people."

Michael Jordan | 1963
Brooklyn, USA

Michael Jordan, born on February 17, 1963, is widely considered the best basketball player of all time. During his NBA career, Jordan won six NBA championships with the Chicago Bulls and won five Most Valuable Player (MVP) awards. He is the third-highest scorer in NBA history, averaging 30.1 points per game over his career.

In 1993, after winning three consecutive NBA championships, Jordan surprised the world by announcing his retirement from basketball to pursue a career in baseball. He played minor league baseball without much success, returning to the NBA in 1995, where he continued to dominate on the field.

Off the court, Jordan is known for his iconic partnership with Nike. His signature Air Jordan sneakers became a cultural phenomenon and one of the best-selling shoe lines of all time, even giving rise to a movie. Nike's Jordan brand remains one of the most profitable and influential in the world of sports and fashion.

An interesting fact about Jordan is that he is known for having a spirit of fierce competition in everything he does, from basketball games to golf games. His determination and relentless competitiveness, ability to fly on the field and lead teams helped shape his legendary career, far beyond his basketball achievements.

Muhammad Ali | 1942 - 2016
Louisville, EUA

Born Cassius Marcellus Clay Jr. was an American boxer named "Sportsman of the Century" by Sports Illustrated magazine in 1999.
In addition to his successful boxing career,

Ali was a fervent activist in the fight against discrimination, having joined the same movement to which Malcolm X belonged and for that reason having changed his name. His refusal to fight in the Vietnam War, which he considered unfair, earned him the loss of his world title in 1967 and the threat of jail.

He was world champion again in 1974 in one of the most famous fights of all time, against the monster George Foreman that took place in Zaire and gave rise to a film called Ali, starring Will Smith.

Ali also recorded 2 musical albums: "I Am the Greatest" (1963 - Columbia Records) and "The Adventures of Ali and His Gang vs. Mr. Tooth Decay" (1976 Columbia Records)

Niki Lauda
Vienna, Austria

Niki Lauda (1949-2019) was a legendary Austrian Formula 1 driver, known for his exceptional ability on the track and for his incredible determination and courage. Lauda won three Formula 1 world championships in his career, in 1975, 1977 and 1984, solidifying his place as one of the greatest drivers of all time.

In addition to his success in racing, Lauda became famous for his incredible story of overcoming. In 1976, he survived a serious accident during the German Grand Prix, where his car caught fire and he suffered severe burns to his face and head. Incredibly, just six weeks after the accident, Lauda returned to the track and continued to compete for the world title, demonstrating extraordinary determination and resilience, having won 2 more world championship titles following his accident.

Off the runway, Lauda also enjoyed success as a businessman and consultant in the aviation industry. He founded and ran several airlines, including Lauda Air, which was noted for its innovative approach and focus on passenger safety. Additionally, Lauda has played a key role as a consultant and strategist in aviation, sharing his vast experience and knowledge to improve operations and safety standards across the industry. His contribution to the aviation industry was as significant as his career on the racetrack, solidifying his reputation as a visionary and influential leader in diverse fields.

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