Maradona, Simply Great (part two)
should have will not be written down in the books but never forgotten by those who saw them. Maradona had five assists and who knows how many he would have had, had he had Batistuta instead of Valdano; who was a fair player but nothing exceptional. With regards to his other teammates; in all truth none of them were all that great as their careers in their respective clubs would show, so it can not be really said that he was surrounded by great players. Pele, for instance having Garrincha, Santos, Didi and Vava in 58 and later in 70 Jairzinho, Tostao, Carlos Alberto and Rivelino. It can not even be claimed that Argentina like Italy in the previous world cup won thanks to having a well balanced team. This had not been the case but of Maradona simply winning for them, as if handing them the title.
After that world cup up until the world cup in 1990, Maradona was considered the best in the game, by far! Him going on to lead SSC Napoli in winning the Scudeto for the first time in their history in 1987 and again in 1990. It was during his time in SSC Napoli that he also led them to victory in the “Copa Italia” in 1987, Italian Super Cup in 1990 and above all the UEFA cup in 1989, while for himself he was top goal scorer of the Serie A in 1988.
As for “Italia 90”, this would end in disappointment for Argentina who would go on to loss the final 1-0 to Germany; in a game that will be mostly remembered for being possibly the worst played final in the history of the world cup. Maradona however got Argentina to the final despite not playing his best football and playing in a world cup that was mostly limited to very defensive play. As for Maradona in what was Italia 90, he again got away with another hand ball against the Soviet Union that prevented them from scoring. Maradona however in this world cup that saw very little of brilliant play will also be remembered for a run through four Brazilian players after which he despite being pulled down by the last one managed to get off a perfect pass with his right foot (something rare for him) to Caniggia. It was this player who scored the goal that would give Argentina a 1-0 victory. As for scoring in Italia 90; this Maradona did not do though he would put in a fine performance unfortunately for me against Italy in Napoli which would see my dreams of seeing Italy win the title at home end. Maradona converted his penalty kick and Serena missed from the same penalty spot. It was perhaps even a difficult situation for most Italian fans in Napoli because on the one hand Italy was playing and on the other hand so was the only man who had ever managed to give their loved Napoli any kind of title. This making it hard for them to decide for whom to cheer for which perhaps might have led to less support for Italy then they normally would have gotten at home.
Maradona after having problems with cocaine and being suspended for a year and half would come back to play in the World Cup USA 94. This after helping Argentina qualify with a goal in his country’s 1-0 qualifying victory over Australia in Buenos Aires after having drawn at 0 in Melbourne. USA 94 however would only see Maradona play two games in which he scored one against Greece in what would be an Argentine 4-0 rout, after which he would provide two almost perfect passes to set up goals against Nigeria; whom Argentina would beat 2 to 1. At that moment it seemed much to my fear that Maradona and Argentina were back in form. Fortunately however this would not be as Maradona, after the game against Nigeria was suspended from the world cup for using a banned substance.
After USA 94, Maradona was nearing the end of his career which saw him play several more years in Argentina till his retirement in 98 and perhaps again Maradona was loved as he was ending his career and even those like myself who had always seen him as an enemy now looked back and realized what a great one we had been privileged with. Of course, the younger generations may watch him on youtube but I was fortunate enough to see him play live. This being the case though I would have been happier if he had played for Italy in the same way that Camoranesi (Camoranesi also being born in Argentina but obtained Italian citizenship due to being of Italian descent) does today.
My name is Gianni Truvianni, I am an author who writes with the simple aim of sharing his ideas, thoughts and so much more of what I am with those who are interested in perhaps reading something new. I also am the author of the book entitled “New York’s Opera Society” which is now available on Amazon.