Diego Maradona has always been the dictionary definition of a flawed genius.
But for football romantics he is the greatest ever – a man whose talent knew no limits.
Maradona is synonymous with the World Cup. It all started when he was dropped from Cesar Luis Menotti’s ultimately winning squad in his own backyard in 1978 when he was just a teenager.
Then there was the brutal marking job on him by Italian defender Claudio Gentile in 1982. Maradona was fouled 23 times in that match which remains a World Cup record.
It angered the Argentine so much he took his frustrations out on Brazil and was sent off as his tournament ended in infamy.
Redemption arrived four years later when he won the trophy and fulfilled his childhood dream.
On the way he gave us two iconic moments in just a matter of minutes with the Hand of God goal and the greatest goal in World Cup history against England in the quarter-final.
It was followed by tears of sorrow after losing the Final to Germany at Italia 90 then the shame of a failed drug test at USA 94 when he seemed on the brink of a stunning comeback. It ended an international career that
saw El Diego play 91 times for Argentina and score 34 goals.
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His off-field flaws were utterly outrageous – from cocaine addiction to alleged links with the mafia and taking pot shots at journalists with an air rifle.
But that can’t erase what he achieved on the pitch. Football is littered with mavericks whose genius also comes with a tendency to self-destruct.
Which is why seeing pictures of Maradona giving one-fingered salutes to the Nigerian fans is hard to watch.
It’s difficult to view this as nothing other than a man unravelling. Videos appeared to show Maradona struggling to get up from his seat at full-time after Marcos Rojo’s late winner.
He then posted a picture on social media showing medical staff tending to him at half-time but denied he had been taken to hospital. He said: “I want to tell everyone I am fine.”
The saddest indictment came from Gary Lineker who said: “There’s a danger he’s becoming a laughing stock I’m afraid. You understand how he’s euphoric but this kind of reaction – really, Diego?”
Just as the whole world felt let down by the footballing god in 1994 and cried: “Why Diego?” We were all with Lineker on this one.
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The Scots have always had an affinity for the Argentine genius. He scored his first international goal in a 3-1 win at Hampden. He also kicked off his reign as Argentina boss with a 1-0 win over Scotland at Hampden in 2008.
He will always hold a special place in my heart. I was even pictured alongside him when I presented him with a trophy on behalf of Scottish football fans in honour of his Hand of God goal. The four words “A gift for me?” have never sounded sweeter.
His former agent Jon Smith said yesterday: “Diego quite enjoys being a parody of himself at times. I understand why people criticise Diego but in his heart he’s a warm, caring guy.
“I just hope he one day doesn’t do something stupidly excessive and something silly happens.”
So it is heartbreaking El Diego is battling his own demons again.
The Greatest Living Player? Here’s hoping it stays that way for many years to come.
There would be weeping and wailing all over the world if that changed to The Greatest Player.