Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
MARADONA & MESSI
Born in 1960 in abject poverty in a Buenos Aires shantytown, Diego Armando Maradona played his
first professional game before his 16th birthday. Transferring to his beloved Boca Juniors, he contin-
ued to prosper. After a good showing at the 1982 World Cup, he moved to Europe. Here, his genius
inspired unfashionable Napoli to two league titles, and in 1986 he single-handedly won the World Cup
for a very average Argentina side. In the quarter-final against England, he scored a goal first with his
hand - later saying the goal was scored partly by the hand of God - and then a second one with his
feet, after a mesmerizing run through the flummoxed defense that led to its being named the Goal of
the Century by FIFA.
But the big time also ruined Diego. Earning huge sums of money, Maradona became addicted to co-
caine and the high life. A succession of drug-related bans, lawsuits and weight issues meant that by
his retirement in 1997 he had been a shadow of his former self for some years.
Since his retirement, overdoses, heart attacks, detoxes, his own TV program and offbeat friendships
have all been par for the course in the Maradona circus. Most unbelievably of all, he was chosen to
manage the national team: the highlight in a colorful spell - after qualifying for the 2010 World Cup
in South Africa - was his triumphant suggestion that his critics could pleasure him orally. Neverthe-
less, those numerous touches of magic in the number 10 shirt have sealed his immortality. To many
Argentines, the hand of God and the hand of Maradona are one and the same.
Every talented Argentine since has been dogged with the label 'the new Maradona', but these days
there's one who's the real deal. Rosario-bred Lionel Messi, a little genius who runs at defenses with
the ball seemingly glued to his feet, has been captivating the world with his prodigious talents and
record-breaking goal-scoring feats for Barcelona and, increasingly, for the national team. Many
shrewd judges consider him better even than the great Diego, and his humble off-field demeanor is
certainly an improvement. If he manages to inspire the albiceleste (Argentina's national football team)
to win the World Cup again, it will truly be the Second Coming.
Andy Symington
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