Mayra Madrigal
For many years, athletes have been considered role models for their effort, commitment, and discipline when it comes to reaching the highest places in the world. However, several sports personalities left their talent behind and became known for scandals, or simply for leading lifestyles out of the lines that an athlete should follow.
In this article you will find some of the figures who, in spite of having stood out for their talent, gave a lot to talk about due to issues unrelated to their sport.
1. Diego Armando Maradona
The first in the list of the most controversial Latino athletes is none other than the late Diego Armando Maradona. He became known for his ability to play soccer and for having won the Mexico ’86 World Cup, scoring the best goal of the century, as well as one with his hand that he himself called “La mano de Dios”.
However, Diego had serious addiction problems, and it became a global scandal when a nurse entered the field, during the celebration of a 1994 World Cup game in the United States, because he had tested positive for doping. Diego, “El 10”, acknowledged having made the wrong decisions throughout his life, and he came up with the phrase “La pelota no se mancha” (the ball should not get stained).
After a life of success and excess, Maradona passed away on November 25, 2020 at the age of 60, due to pulmonary edema.
2. Yasiel Puig
The Cuban baseball player has sparked up controversy during his time in the major leagues. Puig is also known as “Caballo Loco” (Crazy Horse) and he seems to stand by the nickname with his actions, reason enough to be among the most controversial Latino athletes. In 2013 he was reported a couple of times for reckless driving, and the Dodgers showed their disappointment for having trusted him to only get to see him misbehaving. It didn’t stop there, in 2015 he also starred in a bar fight in Miami. Puig’s most recent scandal was in 2020, over a 2018 sexual abuse claim. Recently, the outfielder has signed with a South Korean team.
3. Miguel Herrera
Miguel Herrera has been involved in scandals since his time as a soccer player, due to his strong temperament. In 1994, he missed the World Cup after being sent off in a game against Honduras for violently kicking Dolmo Flores. As a coach, he is known for his excessive celebrations when his team scores, or for his constant complaints to the referee, but in 2015 he had a fight with journalist, Christian Martinoli, after that year’s Gold Cup edition. and he ended up losing his position as coach of the “Tricolor”.
4. Julio César Chávez Jr.
When hearing Julio César Chávez’s name, the image of the historic Mexican boxer comes to mind. Yet, if the name brings up his son, who has the same name, there comes to mind a long list of scandals in which he has starred in. Chavez Jr. has wanted to make a career in the boxing world, but he has not been able to do so since he has been repeatedly suspended for the use of banned substances.
In 2012 he was arrested in Los Angeles for driving intoxicated and without a license. He has also been involved in sex scandals, and is one of the most controversial Latino athletes.
5. Cuauhtémoc Blanco
The former player of the Aguilas del America is one of the best players in the history of Mexican soccer, but he has also been involved in controversy. He was known as an irreverent player who constantly spoke out after the referees’ decisions. In the past, he had a personal problem with coach Ricardo Antonio La Volpe due to his strong temper, which was the reason why the Argentine decided, years later, not to take him to the 2006 World Cup in Germany.
In 2003, he physically assaulted journalist David Faitelson as it was known that they were not good friends. He was also charged with domestic violence against his ex-partners.
