 |
| Diego Maradona |
Diego Armando Maradona is by many regarded as the greatest player in the
history of the game. He was born on October 30th 1960 in Lanus outside
Buenos Aires. There he played for Los Cebollitos (The little onions), before
he joined Argentinos Juniors. At 16 he was Argentina's youngest-ever international
when he played against Hungary. Two years later he captained the World
Youth Cup winners and was soon transferred to Boca Juniors for £1.000.000.
The success continued and he was voted South American Player Of The Year
in 1979 and 1980.
In 1982 Maradona joined Spanish giants Barcelona for a world record transfer
fee of £5.000.000. The same year the World Cup was held in Spain
and Maradona made his World Cup debut on his new homeground Estadio Nou
Camp. The tournament didn't end as Maradona had hoped and he was sent off
against Brazil in the second phase, as Argentina bowed out.
In his first season for "Barca" he helped them win the league, leaguecup
and the Super Cup. Two years later, another world record fee of £6.900.000
took him to success-starved Napoli, and in 1987 they won a league and cup
double. A year earlier he had captained Argentina to a second World Cup
triumph. It was a World Cup that forever will be synonymous with Maradona.
He scored 5 goals in that tournament, including two against England. Both
are among the most controversal in World Cup history. The first was the
infamous "Hand of God" and the second probably the greatest goal ever scored
in a World Cup game, as he ran from his own half showing magic displays
and leaving seven English players for dead.
Success continued with Napoli as he again steered them to a leaguetitle
and in 1989 even a triumph in the UEFA cup. In 1990 the World Cup was held
in Italy and Maradona captained Argentina to yet another final. The Germans
were once again the opponents and this time they proved too strong for
the Argentinians. That loss was to be the beginning of the end for Maradona.
Two drug scandals have created black spots on his name and reputation.
Several come-backs have been tried since 1991 and after helping Argentina
qualifying for the 1994 World Cup in USA, Maradona looked fit for fight
again. A marvellous goal against Greece in the first match gave proves
for that.
But in the next game against Nigeria he was caught for drug abuse, and
the World Cup story of Diego Armando Maradona got a sad ending. That match
meant that Maradona equalled the record of matches played in the World
Cup of 21, held by Uwe Seeler and Wladislav Zmuda (Later beaten by Lothar
Matthäus). Maradona retired from international football after that
with a gallery of good and bad memories. But he is by neutral football
lovers regarded alongside Pelé as the greatest player of them all.
No comments:
Post a Comment