El Diego and the World Cup: A ratings winner!
Crunch time came and went on Wednesday night for several nations hoping to qualify for next summer's World Cup. A lot of the group winners for the European qualifying section had been decided before it's final matches. Instead most fans imagination came to rest on the fate of Argentina, who were dicing with missing their first tournament since 1970.
Of course the South American power- house is perennially mentioned as a possible favourite for each and every World Cup. They are a nation who's past achievements seem to fore go any need to worry about form and players, as with Brazil and Germany (amongst others) there is a fear and an aura when it comes to facing them.
Even so, the past year has not been a harmonious journey for Argentina and their manager, the mercurial Diego Maradona. From the outset of his tenure there have been occasional moments of amusement and bemusement, in varying guises.
His first match in charge was against Scotland on its own territory. A repeat, as fate would have it, of the same venue (Hampden Park) and opposition where he scored his first international goal in 1979.
The most entertaining part of the whole spectacle was not Argentina's goal in the 1-0 win, but rather Maradona's pre-match press conference. He had caused the assembled journalists to chuckle and laugh when he asked them who Terry Butcher was in an exceptionally deadpanned manner, before cracking into a fiendishly playful grin.
Scotland's assistant manager had previously stirred up the 'hand of God' incident when recalling his own experience as part of that England team, admitting that he couldn't forgive the Argentine's actions.
Nevertheless, this exchange via the press goes some way to encapsulating Maradona. On the one hand he has always been close to stirring up controversy and willing to cross a line, but then on the other his charisma and passion could consume and drive all those around him.
Being an unpredictable genius of a loose cannon is something that draws you to Maradona time and time again. His autobiography 'El Diego', is a compelling read and throughout it there are candid retelling of his verbal jousts with players, managers and chairmen.
A recurring theme is his strong will and how he won't hold back from a perceived injustice. He doesn't skirt the controversies either, as he admits to the heavy use of cocaine in Italy and explains the 'hand of God'. And yet despite his misdemeanours, there is always a charm and something strangely admirable about how he conducted himself and handled his career.
His talent and skill on the football field can never be denied, but his occasional madness off of it combines to make him probably the most colourful player to have ever graced the game. Connoisseurs often lean towards Pelé as being the greatest ever player, but for me it really has to be Diego Maradona.
Their statistics and achievements have been mulled over endlessly, and FIFA memorably changed the goalposts in their poll to find the 'Player of the Century'. The Argentine collected 53% of votes, which prompted FIFA to appoint a panel who subsequently chose Pelé, finally they chose on awarding both players the accolade.
Where Maradona differs from Pelé is in terms of his infectious character and it's influence upon others. History shows how he stomped his authority all over the 1986 Mexico World Cup. The English perspective is understandably always tarnished, but Maradona not only contributed 5 assists and 5 goals, he also inspired the rest of his national team to raise the bar.
This feat was repeated in his incredible period with Napoli, during which time the club won it's only 2 Serie A titles in history along with the Uefa Cup. He is still third in the club's all-time list of league goal scorers.
The 1990 World Cup in Italy paid testament to Maradona's determination to always get one up on his adversaries. A relatively average Argentinean side still grounded their way to another final, with Maradona still a fulcrum of it.
Whatever you may conclude to think of El Diego, be it a 'coke-fuelled cheat' or one of the other negative remarks thrown his way over the years, I cannot consider ending my awe of him. I prefer to embrace all the characteristics that contributed to making him the mesmerising player that he was and the fascinating personality that he is.
So now, bar those in various play-offs for the remaining World Cup places, there is time to wait and look ahead to what may come in South Africa. Whilst clearly I'll be gnawing away my fingernails over England, I will be keeping a close eye on all proceedings and especially Argentina's.
Although I doubt that Maradona will match Franz Beckenbauer in winning the competition as a player and coach, less obvious things have happened. Either way I'm sure the ride will be an incredibly entertaining one and all the better for El Diego's revolutionary antagonism.
In fact he has already started. A range of derogatory insults to assembled journalists after Argentina’s qualify-clinching win over Uruguay, has landed him in trouble with FIFA. He may face a 5 match touchline ban for his tirade, which makes you wonder what he'd come up with if he did get his hands back on the World Cup next summer..?!
Of course the South American power- house is perennially mentioned as a possible favourite for each and every World Cup. They are a nation who's past achievements seem to fore go any need to worry about form and players, as with Brazil and Germany (amongst others) there is a fear and an aura when it comes to facing them.
Even so, the past year has not been a harmonious journey for Argentina and their manager, the mercurial Diego Maradona. From the outset of his tenure there have been occasional moments of amusement and bemusement, in varying guises.
His first match in charge was against Scotland on its own territory. A repeat, as fate would have it, of the same venue (Hampden Park) and opposition where he scored his first international goal in 1979.
The most entertaining part of the whole spectacle was not Argentina's goal in the 1-0 win, but rather Maradona's pre-match press conference. He had caused the assembled journalists to chuckle and laugh when he asked them who Terry Butcher was in an exceptionally deadpanned manner, before cracking into a fiendishly playful grin.
Scotland's assistant manager had previously stirred up the 'hand of God' incident when recalling his own experience as part of that England team, admitting that he couldn't forgive the Argentine's actions.
Nevertheless, this exchange via the press goes some way to encapsulating Maradona. On the one hand he has always been close to stirring up controversy and willing to cross a line, but then on the other his charisma and passion could consume and drive all those around him.
Being an unpredictable genius of a loose cannon is something that draws you to Maradona time and time again. His autobiography 'El Diego', is a compelling read and throughout it there are candid retelling of his verbal jousts with players, managers and chairmen.
A recurring theme is his strong will and how he won't hold back from a perceived injustice. He doesn't skirt the controversies either, as he admits to the heavy use of cocaine in Italy and explains the 'hand of God'. And yet despite his misdemeanours, there is always a charm and something strangely admirable about how he conducted himself and handled his career.
His talent and skill on the football field can never be denied, but his occasional madness off of it combines to make him probably the most colourful player to have ever graced the game. Connoisseurs often lean towards Pelé as being the greatest ever player, but for me it really has to be Diego Maradona.
Their statistics and achievements have been mulled over endlessly, and FIFA memorably changed the goalposts in their poll to find the 'Player of the Century'. The Argentine collected 53% of votes, which prompted FIFA to appoint a panel who subsequently chose Pelé, finally they chose on awarding both players the accolade.
Where Maradona differs from Pelé is in terms of his infectious character and it's influence upon others. History shows how he stomped his authority all over the 1986 Mexico World Cup. The English perspective is understandably always tarnished, but Maradona not only contributed 5 assists and 5 goals, he also inspired the rest of his national team to raise the bar.
This feat was repeated in his incredible period with Napoli, during which time the club won it's only 2 Serie A titles in history along with the Uefa Cup. He is still third in the club's all-time list of league goal scorers.
The 1990 World Cup in Italy paid testament to Maradona's determination to always get one up on his adversaries. A relatively average Argentinean side still grounded their way to another final, with Maradona still a fulcrum of it.
Whatever you may conclude to think of El Diego, be it a 'coke-fuelled cheat' or one of the other negative remarks thrown his way over the years, I cannot consider ending my awe of him. I prefer to embrace all the characteristics that contributed to making him the mesmerising player that he was and the fascinating personality that he is.
So now, bar those in various play-offs for the remaining World Cup places, there is time to wait and look ahead to what may come in South Africa. Whilst clearly I'll be gnawing away my fingernails over England, I will be keeping a close eye on all proceedings and especially Argentina's.
Although I doubt that Maradona will match Franz Beckenbauer in winning the competition as a player and coach, less obvious things have happened. Either way I'm sure the ride will be an incredibly entertaining one and all the better for El Diego's revolutionary antagonism.
In fact he has already started. A range of derogatory insults to assembled journalists after Argentina’s qualify-clinching win over Uruguay, has landed him in trouble with FIFA. He may face a 5 match touchline ban for his tirade, which makes you wonder what he'd come up with if he did get his hands back on the World Cup next summer..?!
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