How big is Maradona in the Americas?

[sportsmed]

After Pele, Maradona is probably the 2nd most famous player in the world. I am just wondering just how big is Maradona in the Americas?

http://sportsnmedicine.blogspot.com

[bosterosoy]

i actually think that famous wise, maradona is just as famous as pele

[maxpepper]

http://www.googlefight.com/index.php?lang=en_GB&word1=maradona&word2=pele

[elbp]

http://www.googlefight.com/index.php?lang=en_GB&word1=maradona&word2=pele

Clap Clap Clap!!! Thousands of Claps! ;)

[sportsmed]

True, Maradona has inspired millions by being an icon and idol. What else does he have to his credit?

Cheers!

http://sportsnmedicine.blogspot.com

[bosterosoy]

well, he's a communist:D (i;m not going to advance this part as it can be a good thing or a bad thing depending on your view)


He won a WC, led Napoli (a team that had never won anything) to a pair of Scudettos, the Uefa Cup and a Coppa Italia

[red & wite army]

After Maradona's many actions, Pele would be seen as more of the politically correct option, but for what its worth, I prefer El Diego!

I do think however that in Africa, more people know of Pele.

[JacksonJazz#9]

about 350 pounds big i would say

[EL MONO MARIO]

Maradona is el che guevarra of soccer... In the Americas Maradona and Pele are huge no one outs the other. The old timers love pele, the younger generation tend to lean towards Diego.

[Illrod3]

After Maradona's many actions, Pele would be seen as more of the politically correct option, but for what its worth, I prefer El Diego!

I do think however that in Africa, more people know of Pele.

Pele is Fifa's lapdog.

[BigSoccer Bot]

More... (http://www.clarin.com/diario/2007/04/09/deportes/d-02007.htm)

[martinmartin]

Garrincha Was Ten Times Better Then Pele


1958 Pele Was Just A Kid And Did Little To Win That Cup.

1962 Garrincha Was The Star Of That Wc

1966 England World Champions

1970 That Was Trully Peles At His Best You Could Say Pele Was The Star


So Really You Could Say Pele Was The Star In Only 1970

[sportsmed]

I believe each of them have a role. But Maradona is still followed by millions of fans all over the world.

http://sportsnmedicine.blogspot.com

[bosterosoy]

Pele is Fifa's lapdog.

couldn't agree more

[FWS93]

Pele has had his problems as well but tends to guard his image more than Maradona, i throw all of it out the window, they are footballers, they did the important stuff on the field

BTW diego was much better;)

[LDU4ever]

Maradona is better....although his political stance might not be agreeable to some of us, based purely on skill, he is better...Think about the style and speed of play 35 years ago and when Maradona was at his peak, Maradona was a really quick guy and probably faster than Pele, he is not as well known as Pele but that's just because of the fact that he is not as decorated as Pele to some people, his media exposure to people in the United States is negatively skewed unless its based purely on the sport. I actually think that there are many ballers out there who are better than Pele, but Maradona is #1

[El Mandrake]

I think Mardonna was a better player. He would give onfield interview bouncing a ball his heels while talking to the press and the shoulder bounce. Just overall better. Pele has been blessed with being ahead of his time in the 50's, and garrincha to support him..which is contraversial in brasil...also i heard brazilians kind of see him as a fake thats what i have heard. Marradonna is not the brighteset person and it shows in his actions and how he lived his professional life. The numbers say pele...all those goals. But Maradonna had this thing where all cells of his body seemed to exude the move for the right situation. You know Argentina is not a very populous country. Its inhabitants are centered in one city...Now Brasil is like the U.S. of South America in terms of populance. If a country puts out that many great ballers like argentina according to ratio it is pretty alarming when you think of it....But then again Mexico should have a monopoly on it, but they don't they have to nationalize players from Brazil And Argentina to have talent....like that kid that they aquired that barcelona bought...he was basically made in Brazil......So you will see great players coming out of soccer insane, mad nations.....bUT MARADONNA had more raw talent.

[O Fenômeno]

Of our generation

Maradona is probably more famous...after him I would say Ronaldo.

[FWS93]

Of our generation

Maradona is probably more famous...after him I would say Ronaldo.
most famous footballer of this generation is beckham, nowhere near the best, but he is the most popular in the last 10 years.

[cordobesenUS]

To me Maradona was a better player than Pele but it's really a matter of what do you like best, a matter of preference. Maradona seems to me more sincere and doesn't play the dog and pony show with FIFA like Pele does. Maradona also inspired more because of his short stature prevailing over much taller and stronger players. David and Goliath, sort of thing, football is one of the few sports that allows this to happen. Maradona says things as he sees them, there is no bulls+it with him. Having said that he is also an example not to follow when it comes to addictions, though they have nothing to do with his abillity as a player.I guess another difference between Pele and Maradona would be that Maradona took a crappy team as Napoli was and still is and single handed turned it into the best team in a league known for extreme defense. Such was his influence that Napoli shortly after Maradona leaving, went back to the second division. Pele in Cosmos of New York couldn't even get Americans to tune in on football games, a total failure. Maradona is considered a God in Naples Italy, they even considered naming their stadium after him. If you asked on the streets of New York to name one great soccer team and one great player the played there, chances are 99.9 percent don't remember Pele, if they ever even cared.