The 1980s were his. He arrived in Spain for the 1982 World Cup with his reputation as the game’s hottest talent already established. Argentina’s tournament ended after three defeats and two wins, a disappointing return for reigning champions, Diego Maradona was a let down for many, but on the ball, he was different to every other player at the tournament. Diego was a talent.
This before the era of mass television coverage of leagues around the world. Whereas now, we evaluate the game’s greats based on their domestic and Champions League performances, then, assessments were made at World Cups.
Diego spent two years with Barcelona after that tournament, where he endured brutality never seen since, consequentially, he could do nothing to put Barca at the top of the league. His longest stay at any club, seven years, was at Napoli, where he led them to their only two Serie A titles, only double and only European trophy.
He will forever be the King of Naples; a hero who lifted a poor city above their prosperous rivals, but it was there he interacted with organised crime and drugs, the latter had a profound impact on the rest of his life.
As kids say, “Messi is the GOAT”, his stats are difficult to doubt, but what Maradona did at the 1986 World Cup has never been matched. He inspired a team and a nation to the trophy, scoring what is regarded as the greatest goal of all time in the quarter final, a goal almost as good in the semi and an assist for the winner in the final. We loved him, almost everyone did.
At the 1990 World Cup in Italy, he called on his Naples public to support him in the semi-final against their mostly northern-Italian counterparts. The Neapolitans supported Italy, much to his annoyance, but the hosts were eliminated on penalties. Diego, carrying an injury, with several years of living the lowlife/highlife, was in another World Cup Final.
There the fairy-tale ends. The final was a turgid affair, settled by a late West German penalty. Worse was to come at USA ‘94, when he was sent home after two games for failing a doping test. Excuses flowed, for the first time I was disappointed in our hero. It was an accident caused by his trainer, then it wasn’t an accident, Fifa granted him an exception to take the drug, which they reneged on. It did not matter to the world that he put his hand up in 1986, but he should done the same in 1994 and accepted responsibility, instead of blaming those less powerful than him.
He did not spread the gospel of the game to new countries, like Pele, nor did his impact on the sport match Cruyff’s, but there was simply no greater entertainer in the world than Diego Maradona.
Best news of the week: “Jullien and Elhamed are in contention to start”, says Neil Lennon. These are the games we should use to get players fit, let’s hope we see Chris back where he belongs tonight. I would give Elhamed a run out too, Frimpong is overdue some R&R.
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NOTTHEBUS
Why sign them and I dispute he knows more about football than me.
If he knows so much why are we struggling just now?
2 wins in 8 games.
Aye but it’s NFL.
How many millions sitting on that bench?
Okay with that team, however, would want a word with Christie. If your Celtic’s no 10 don’t waste possession concentrate creation only if no other options then shoot.
Bain- if you want to come for crosses then do. Or don’t but make the call early!
Ntcham- stop being so passive leave your mark.
Elyounoussi and Edouard please talk to each other.
Calmac, please be available when Christie on the ball and you shoot instead. Very kind.
Broonie just sit back and sweep the forward runs are tiring you out early.
Julien remind Ajer you’re the senior player and manage him.
Just won my first bet of the night.
One night not happy. Cheer up.
MARTIM1980 on 26TH NOVEMBER 2020 4:43 PM
I’ll run my comments by you before I post shall I?
Just ignore them…
Broonie and Ntcham in the starting line-up doesn’t usually work imo.
RC on 26TH NOVEMBER 2020 4:45 PM
Not allowed to make constructive comments , careful now…
Every time we select a first eleven there will be millions on the bench. Do you not understand ?
RC
Aye, but Broony says they are all up for it, behind the manager, and all that.
We’ll see.
so the players are behind the manager while we are behind the sofa
I must havecriticised this site a thousand times, pointing out that you are not allowed to make critical comments on here.
I keep having to tell lots of people, who ask for it, that there is no demand for that sort of thing.
MARTIM1980 on 26TH NOVEMBER 2020 4:47 PM
Was just a comment.
Never said I was unhappy.
Maybe you can move on to someone else to have a go at.
If i call Neil Lennon a puppet or a dinosaur it is a constructive comment.
If I say he is stinking the place out, I am merely recommending the purchase of air freshener
RC
I’ve recorded a couple of “A place In The Sun” episodes so I’ll be abroad at the time of the match.
HOTSMOKED if you are about CELTIC backed from 9/4 to 1/1 .SPARTA got 6 players out .I am on half time full time.
Paul, Just a couple of things to add to your fine tribute to Maradona. It was Athletic Bilbao in particular that dished out the rough treatment when he was in Spain. When the Argentinian national side was in a sorry state he managed the team to the 2010 World Cup. They won all their group matches, beat Mexico and were eliminated by Germany. The nucleus of that team reached the 2014 Final, only to lose out finally to Germany again. Obviously he is among the all time greatest players and I would also consider him to be one of the three most significant figures from the modern game, along with Pele and Stanley Mathews.
I’ve got a feeling that the Sparta subs won’t be overawed.
the 6
Will the real One Night please stand up;
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ONENIGHTINLISBON on 22ND NOVEMBER 2020 2:33 PM
GFTB on 22ND NOVEMBER 2020 2:16 PM
Having a go at folk and name calling only for the huns as far as I’m concerned,
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ONENIGHTINLISBON on 23RD NOVEMBER 2020 4:32 PM
BIG JIMMY on 23RD NOVEMBER 2020 3:22 PM
Obviously you are hard of understanding chump boy.
So away and lie in your pish chumpster.
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Apologies to Big Jimmy for the repost.
Pleased to have the 2 big CHs back together, Eddie up top and Frimpong dropped for big Tam.
Bain doesn’t inspire, Brown, McGregor, Ntcham doesn’t work, Christie’s not a RW and Edouard & Elyounoussi don’t have a partnership and play in same spaces.
They are no Lille so don’t expect a need for that defensive performance and we should be on the front foot, doing things I have seen no evidence of since the start of the season if the words come to fruition.
Here’s hoping csc.
HH
ROCK TREE BHOY on 26TH NOVEMBER 2020 4:57 PM
So I just have to sit here whilst he name calls and bullies?
I was attacked and responded. What would you have done?
RIMTIMTIM- I was on holiday in Spain when Maradona got done by Goicochia, was the only item on news channels for about 4 days….
ONE NIGHT IN LISBON
You reacted the way most of us would imo.
Scroll by RTB for the rest of the evening.
C’MON THE CELTS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
live updates up
Bada bing, aye the butcher of bilbao
hesgoal feed is up
PHILBHOY on 26TH NOVEMBER 2020 5:01 PM
ONE NIGHT IN LISBON
You reacted the way most of us would imo
Scroll by RTB for the rest of the evening.
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Thanks Phil, nice of you to jump in.
One night,like Neil you bring it on your self.
Formation looks like 433
apologies guys, but i cant stand the hypocrisy,
comes on here putting the boot into our Manager on multiple occasions, then when folks get upset and let him know about it, he wants them banned!
plus the sheer gall, the mr nice guy bit – who me – I’ve never insulted anyone- only huns name call,
now lobbying every other poster- too much – however will now let it go and scroll by the guy…
Why isn’t the extensively scouted and expensively purchased Barkas in goal? Nothing against Bain , but he’s not as good as either Forster or Gordon . Come to think of it , If Bain’s not as good as Gordon , why is Gordon at Hearts?
I know the answer is something to do with Fraser Forster , but I still find it all a bit odd .
Apologies . wittering on is just a sign of pre game nerves .
Can’t understand why Barkas is not in goal either.
Last seasons 3rd choice in front of £5m international
St Tams – they are all on the live update thread….