Diego Maradona’s support: From nudes to college fees and a car

Before she flashed the cash on a vehicle and college, the late Diego Maradona gave a teenage glamor model a major boost in her career by paying a naked photo shoot.

By
Chirag
-
Diego Maradona Paid For Antonela's Nudes
Image via Getty Images and Instagram @antonela_avellaneda

A striking model utilized funding from Diego Maradona for a nude photoshoot, channeling the proceeds towards her college education and the purchase of a car.

The revered Argentine football icon, often hailed as the greatest player in the sport’s history, passed away three years ago today, succumbing to a heart attack at the age of 60. Maradona’s legacy is a blend of brilliance on the field, including a memorable 1986 World Cup victory and two Serie A titles with Napoli, and a controversial off-field persona characterized by a tumultuous lifestyle involving drugs and relationships with beautiful women.

Among these women was Antonela Avellaneda, who later gained fame as a reality TV personality and Playboy model. Avellaneda, an ardent admirer of Maradona, considered the photoshoot a dream realized. Recounting her experience to Splash magazine, she expressed her deep affection for Maradona, highlighting their initial encounter when she was quite young. She emphasized the exclusivity of the shoot, conducted in unique and exotic settings with distinctive costumes.

In an era preceding the dominance of social media, Avellaneda disclosed the manner in which she captured Maradona’s attention, mentioning a book through which she showcased her work. She reminisced about Maradona recognizing her as a prominent figure, a moment she cherished dearly even now, dearly missing him.

Regarding the financial gains, she detailed how, at 18, she directed the funds toward her Digital Marketing education, supporting her family, establishing a business, and purchasing her first car, a Corsa. These funds also played a pivotal role in advancing her modeling career, enabling her to travel to various countries, including Chile, Mexico, and Brazil, which she believed would have been unattainable otherwise.

Born in Argentina but now a naturalized Brazilian citizen, Avellaneda attracted attention for her appearances in Playboy Portugal in 2019, following previous features on the magazine’s cover in 2003 and 2004, respectively. Notably, she opts out of platforms like OnlyFans, instead offering exclusive content directly through her Instagram to a select group of VIP clients, focusing on personalized interactions and exclusive photo shoots.