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The only time I have seen him live was 1980 Friendly - England v. Argentina
He came out on his own before the game and for 20 mins just doing tricks, just a amazing
Full game here E-3- A-1 DM did not score.
[Post edited 22 Mar 2020 13:06]
I saw that game too, went with the school. I stand to be corrected but I think this game and a UEFA Cup quarter final against Man Utd at Old Trafford in March 1984 with Barcelona were the only times he played over here during his playing career (excluding testimonials/charity games).
That was also the debut of the new Admiral England kit which they wore until 1984 when Umbro regained the contract.
All English supporters will hate him for that ''Hand of God'' moment. I certainly did. Most will then have forgotten about the other goal in that match that he scored - one of the best ever in any World Cup. I do think that he is the best players that I have ever seen, and arguably the best ever. An incredible conundrum of a guy. He hit the peaks as a player at Napoli. Dragged a pretty average team, game after game, over the line to win their first Serie A, practically single-handed with absolutely zero protection from referees - as it has been pointed out by several on this post - the punishment he took was pure brutality. He also was not a selfish player and was a great leader. Actually, that 1986 Argentina World Cup winning squad was pretty average too I think - it was Maradona that made the difference. Outside of the game he went completely off the rails as we know, and so many vultures took advantage of him. On the pitch - he contributed wonderfully to the beautiful game.
Maradona made the difference alright but that 86 Argentine team was far from average.
Jose Luis Brown, Burrachaga and Valdano would have been starters in any team of that tournament and Ruggeri and Batista gave them a solid platform to build from. Germany went into that final as favourites with players like Schumacher, Brehme, Berthold, Völler, Rummenigge and Matthäus (best box to box midfielder of that era for me).
That Beckenbauer detailed Matthäus to man-mark Maradona is probably understandable to try and make it a 10v10 but untouchable player Maradona was, that team earned that world cup.
Maradona made the difference alright but that 86 Argentine team was far from average.
Jose Luis Brown, Burrachaga and Valdano would have been starters in any team of that tournament and Ruggeri and Batista gave them a solid platform to build from. Germany went into that final as favourites with players like Schumacher, Brehme, Berthold, Völler, Rummenigge and Matthäus (best box to box midfielder of that era for me).
That Beckenbauer detailed Matthäus to man-mark Maradona is probably understandable to try and make it a 10v10 but untouchable player Maradona was, that team earned that world cup.
Yeah agreed that that Argentina side did have some talents in it, but they needed Maradona to win the trophy.
Absolutely loved this documentary - saw it in the cinema, ordered it on DVD straight after that, started watching again last night because why not? The amount of home movie footage they have is amazing and that's what elevates it above your average doco.
For those that missed the film it is being shown on channel "4seven" (Freeview 47) on 21.00 on 25th March 2021.
Great player but a cheat. Bobby Robsons biggest regret in 1990 was losing the semi on pens as we would have met them again in the final and we owed them one .....
For those that missed the film it is being shown on channel "4seven" (Freeview 47) on 21.00 on 25th March 2021.
Great player but a cheat. Bobby Robsons biggest regret in 1990 was losing the semi on pens as we would have met them again in the final and we owed them one .....
For those that missed the film it is being shown on channel "4seven" (Freeview 47) on 21.00 on 25th March 2021.
Great player but a cheat. Bobby Robsons biggest regret in 1990 was losing the semi on pens as we would have met them again in the final and we owed them one .....
That really was a lost opportunity because that 1990 Argentina team was dreadful and is one of, if not THE worst team to have reached a World Cup final.
Qualified for the last 16 by only finishing third in their group.
Were fortunate to come up against probably one of the worst Brazil teams in history in the last 16 and scraped a late 1-0 win.
A goalless quarter final against Yugoslavia who they scraped by 3-2 on pens
Another victory on penalties against a very good Italy who inexplicably had dropped Baggio to the bench and went on to play their poorest game of the tournament.
Maradonna was the best player ever skill-wise. I think he gave Napoli two league titles in 3 years when before they had never won it before. That's like QPR winning the prem today.
The reason people hate him in England is not just the goal, but his attitude afterwards. He was arrogant about it and said it was not his hand but the "Hand of God". Well, this is how the papers portrayed him.
Also, it was so, soon after the Falklands War and Thatcherism was in full effect. Thus despite being the greatest footballer ever skill-wise he was made out a villain in England. The Scots love em though.
Overall the best player ever is still playing, Rolando is the best. Also, his arrogance has now been understood as he is desperate to win and gives himself high standards as in fact, he does have total respect for the opposition. Just he has an air of arrogance about him which is just there to spur him on, not to get one over on the rest.
That really was a lost opportunity because that 1990 Argentina team was dreadful and is one of, if not THE worst team to have reached a World Cup final.
Qualified for the last 16 by only finishing third in their group.
Were fortunate to come up against probably one of the worst Brazil teams in history in the last 16 and scraped a late 1-0 win.
A goalless quarter final against Yugoslavia who they scraped by 3-2 on pens
Another victory on penalties against a very good Italy who inexplicably had dropped Baggio to the bench and went on to play their poorest game of the tournament.
[Post edited 24 Mar 2020 12:11]
Yeah in the group game against Russia the 'hand of God' made another appearance, stopping the ball on the line.
The Brazil game was ridiculous as they had umpteen chances to score but failed, then towards the end of the game a bit of Maradona magic released Caniggia and he scored.
They also had a little bit of luck in the GK Pumpido getting injured in the Russia game which meant Goycochea came in and he proved to be something of a penalties expert.
So they had their luck, and for sure there were more attractive teams who deserved to be in the final.
I saw that game too, went with the school. I stand to be corrected but I think this game and a UEFA Cup quarter final against Man Utd at Old Trafford in March 1984 with Barcelona were the only times he played over here during his playing career (excluding testimonials/charity games).
That was also the debut of the new Admiral England kit which they wore until 1984 when Umbro regained the contract.
[Post edited 22 Mar 2020 17:06]
Aston Villa v Barcelona in UEFA Super Cup - 1982. I went to the game just to see him play - He didn't play - I think at least 1 Barcelona player got sent off in what was a real bloodbath
For those that missed the film it is being shown on channel "4seven" (Freeview 47) on 21.00 on 25th March 2021.
Great player but a cheat. Bobby Robsons biggest regret in 1990 was losing the semi on pens as we would have met them again in the final and we owed them one .....
Aston Villa v Barcelona in UEFA Super Cup - 1982. I went to the game just to see him play - He didn't play - I think at least 1 Barcelona player got sent off in what was a real bloodbath
[Post edited 25 Mar 2020 14:38]
Just found out that he played in the UK a year before the Wembley game in a friendly against Scotland. Argentina won 3-1 and he scored the third.
I got given the DVD for Christmas and finally watched it today. He was vulnerable, and had a split personality. The shy and nice "Diego" and his alter ego "Maradona". The insights from his long term personal trainer, who picked up on this split personality fairly quickly. were telling. He told him very early on that he would only deal with Diego and refused to engage with Maradona.
While close links to the Mafia must have been inevitable in Naples, the drug taking simply strengthened that tie and that weakness was his premature downfall. I wonder how greater his legacy would be if he had joined AC Milan instead of Napoli?
It makes me laugh when people say “great player but he was a cheat” The bloke spent most of his career getting lumps kicked out of him and his reply was to deliver performance after performance. As for cheating if you tried to organise a game between all the players who’ve never cheated in football (and literally fair-play to them) you might just have enough to make up one team but they’d have no one to play against.
It makes me laugh when people say “great player but he was a cheat” The bloke spent most of his career getting lumps kicked out of him and his reply was to deliver performance after performance. As for cheating if you tried to organise a game between all the players who’ve never cheated in football (and literally fair-play to them) you might just have enough to make up one team but they’d have no one to play against.
Exactly. Can't tell ya how many times on my travels I heard the same said about some of our greatest hero's.
Gives me another chance to plug "Maradona in Mexico" (Netflix) about his time managing a second division team in El Chapo's home town. Love him or hate him (like the fans of San Luis, with predictably volcanic results), he is incredibly entertaining. The series is a great partner to "Sunderland Til I Die", don't miss it.
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