The Argentines have carried a really deep wound of the infamous Falklands war with the United Kingdom. Everyone needs a superhero to fulfil his/her incomplete wishes or desires. When Japan was devastated by the atom bombs dropped by America in 1945, the Japanese created a giant monster named Godzilla, which destroyed the city of New York. The so-called heart of the United States was in peril. Bram Stoker portrayed the tyrant counts of the middle ages through the character of Count Dracula. Dracula’s blood-sucking ability was a reflection of the exploitation of the lower classes done by the counts in the feudal system. Argentines needed a hero, a hero who would heal their wounds of the Falklands, a hero who would bring justice. They found their hero in Diego Armando Maradona, one of the best footballers of all time.
After representing Argentina in consecutive four World Cups, Diego brought one cup home. 1986 will always be remembered as Maradona’s World Cup. In that WC, Argentina finally got its revenge against England. His first goal against them in the quarter-finals was controversial. He put the ball into the net using his hand, after 19 years he confessed that on a television show.
Lucky Diego?
The referee overlooked that. Just after four minutes of that controversial goal, the world witnessed something extraordinary. Maradona scored another goal, which was described as “The Goal of The Century” by FIFA itself. Bryon Butler, The BBC commentator of that match described, “Maradona, turns like a little eel and comes away from trouble, little squat man… comes inside Butcher and leaves him for dead, outside Fenwick and leaves him for dead, and puts the ball away… and that is why Maradona is the greatest player in the world.”
I guess no more statements were needed after this. It was all clear what the comments mean, to one and all. The response was not the best but what was done was done.
Maradona had always been hated for his indisciplined lifestyle. Everyone criticised his frequent late-night parties, drinking habits etc. Later, he was accused of doping. Maradona, off the field, was not a person whom one can make his/her idol. On the field, everyone knew if the little magician had the ball at his feet, he could destroy a whole defence. Maradona has a clear political stance.
The Truth About Maradona
His straight forward personality, commenting on almost every burning issue has been criticised by his antis. That is what makes him Maradona and differentiates him from the others. The little prince didn’t care about the whole world, he went on to the pitch with his dreamy eyes, took the ball from the opponent and smashed the ball at home. A little boy from Rosario became the heart of the whole of Argentina.
Maradona didn’t care about others’ thinking, he created his own path. Just what superheroes do, just what the princes do! People may love him, hate him or even troll him. However, he has done it all with regards to the grand stage. No one will ever forget the name of Diego Armando Maradona.
