[Excape Goat]

Any ideas???

Was Maradona one of the last players released for Argentina 1978?

[Cassano]

Well he wasn't cut, but before the 1982 World Cup Roberto Bettega got injured and was replaced by Paolo Rossi...

[argentine soccer fan]

Originally Posted by Excape Goat

Any ideas???

Was Maradona one of the last players released for Argentina 1978?

Yes, Maradona was the last cut.

Maradona was called by Menotti for a friendly against Hungary in 77. He was on the bench, and even though the team was playing well, the fans could only think of Diego. They keep calling his name and asking for his inclusion. Finally Menotti gave in and put him in the game, to a standing ovation.

He played very well, the few minutes he was in, but Menotti realized the pressure he'd be under to play him, if he included him in the World Cup squad. Since he had made up his mind to use Mario Kempes as his number 10, he didn't want Maradona to be a distraction, so he ended up cutting him. When Menotti informed him that he was cut, Maradona locked himself in a room and cried uncontrollably for over an hour.

[Twenty26Six]

Originally Posted by argentine soccer fan

When Menotti informed him that he was cut, Maradona locked himself in a room and cried uncontrollably for over an hour.

The man just bleeds for the game. A true case of the unstoppbale force, if I ever saw one. Sometimes I think if there wasn't video, I'd think he wasn't real.

[Real Ray]

Nicolas Anelka was called up in April of 1998 and made his debut for France, but did not make the final team.

His time with Les Bleus has been a trainwreck, but it should be remembered that there were people at Clairefontaine that rated him higher than Henry. Shame-a waste of talent.