So, with the end of calendar year 1978, i decided to make some stats about Diego's calendar Year performance so far: 1976 CALENDAR YEAR: 11 games, 2 goals (all with Argentinos Jr) 1977 CALENDAR YEAR: 52 games, 17 goals (58 games, 20 goals with unofficial) Argentina Senior Team: 3-0 Argentina Youth Team: 3-0 (5-1 with unofficial) Argentinos Jr Metro+Nacional: 46-17 (50-19 with unofficial) 1978 CALENDAR YEAR: 39 games, 28 goals (48 games, 32 goals with unofficial) Argentina Senior Team: 1-0 (5-0 with unofficial) Argentina Youth: (5-4 with unofficial) Argentinos Jr: 38-28
South American Youth World Cup Qualifiers 1979 Group stage 1 13/01/1979 Argentina 4-0 Peru Stadium: Centenario, Montevideo (Uruguay) The Youth World Cup is a once in a life-time opportunity. At best an under-20 year old may get two shots at qualifying in his life. For Diego, this would be his second and last chance. As comparisons with retired legends started to emerge, Maradona had entered this qualifying stage with a bullseye on his back. It was now time to redeem himself from the 1977 debacle. This game became known for the Maradona goal that was a ‘piece of art.’ A poem as was broadcasted live. It was also compared to the legendary goal of the Argentinian Grillo against the English in a 1953 friendly. Almost identical. The match also became known as the “number 10 Argentinian as Pelé” by the international press at the stadium. It was Diego disguised as Edson. The match and the goal Argentina were ahead 1-0 after 4 minutes when Maradona had been fouled in the box which led to Alves’ goal. But then a few minutes later came the moment that put the stadium to their feet. El Gráfico described it: “As the work of a Crack” “A goal of anthology with the signature of Diego Armando Maradona. He picked the ball up in the final third going to the left. He ran diagonally inside the box and left 3 defenders in his wake, zigzagging inside and out, always to his left. Five meters almost reaching the byline he saw that the goalkeeper expected the cross so he shot with swerve with his left foot, high, in between the near post and goalkeeper Bazán. A goal for the history...” Here is the live recording of the narration of the goal in Spanish. https://www.dailymotion.com/video/x6g93n5 This goal would be voted as the best of the competition and one of the most spectacular of his career. A jewel added to his catalogue of Maradoniano solo efforts. A great carbon copy of Grillo’s goal against the British and shades of his goal vs Belgium in 1986. In a matter of 7 minutes Peru had been defeated and demoralized. The second half simply was a procedure as Argentina had the game wrapped up from the beginning. El Gráfico “Diego Armando Maradona, the player that is an explosion in Montevideo and which dazzled with his talent, similar to a Brazilian that in his beginning was called Edson Arantes do Nascimento” Diego had a spectacular performance as El Gráfico rated him with a perfect 10 and as the man of the match due to holding the highest score. He also was able to avenge the 1977 defeat. La Nación wrote, “Everything the Argentinos man did was brilliant with his skill, strength and mischief. But Maradona was not alone (...)” Summary: 1 goal + drew 1 PK So with Pelé resurrected in the body of Maradona, what would Diego do for an encore in their next game ? Ecuador would be their opponent.
No, just like thousands of hours of footage from any player before Diego that didn’t benefit from the satellite era.
South American Youth World Cup Qualifiers 1979 Group stage 1 18/01/1979 Argentina 5-0 Ecuador Stadium: Centenario, Montevideo (Uruguay) Spectators: 45000 The first cover ever of Diego on the front page of El Gráfico. El Gráfico headlined: “Football, goals and to the final” “Everything is voices of praise. In the hallways of the Centennial stadium, on the streets, in the newspapers. Maradona is on a high pedestal, at the very top.“ “The show of Maradona” El Gráfico illustrated how Diego was the main artifice in this resounding win. He is the creator, the leader of the team, the man that attracts all of the attention. He set up two goals and gave a virtuoso performance, even at one point controlling a pass on the edge of the box and magically juggling the ball with two defenders trapping him before sending a shot wide. All is spectacle for this young kid that continues to receive praise from fans all over. The press continued to proclaim that he was turning out to be the best player of this competition. Diego had an excellent performance and was joint top player with Ramon Diaz with a grade of a 9. Goles headlined: “This Youth team is becoming centennial” “Maradona was again the star but this time showing to be a more complete team player (...)” Goles rated Diego with an excellent 9 as with several other Argentinians. La Nación: “Argentina, semifinalists” “Maradona, all over the pitch, with his outstanding skill disoriented the opponent” This newspaper had been impressed with Diego but particularly also with Ramon Diaz. Sources varied according to the info about the goals. El Gráfico printed that Diego had his hands all over the second and fourth goals, but Goles and La Nación differed in regards to the second goal, awarding the assist to another player. Argentina were through to the final round but still had to play Uruguay in the first stage, as a routine procedure to finish this group. Argentina decided to rest Maradona and several starters and would lose 1-0 to the home team. Now the final round would consist of the group of death with Argentina up against Uruguay, Brazil and Paraguay. The top 3 would advance to the FIFA Youth World Cup held in Japan. Summary: 1 or 2 assists (sources varied)
@Vegan10 can you help me with Argentinos Jr kit history? 1976: ? 1977:? 1978: marca Deport Hit 1979: marca Sportlandia 1980: marca Austral - Adidas These 2 pictures here are of official game kits or not?
Yeah, that’s the 1980 jersey. Argentinian sponsors started to first reflect in games apparently in the Metropolitan 1978, according to TyC Sports https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.ty...a-camiseta-del-futbol-argentino-20191112.html
South American Youth World Cup Qualifiers 1979 Final rounds 25/01/1979 Argentina 0-0 Paraguay Stadium: Centenario, Montevideo (Uruguay) Paraguay were one of the stronger sides, a team that had defeated Argentina before this competition without Maradona. This time, even though Argentina held on to a draw, the situation was that Paraguay had played better as a team, cutting the flow of the midfield, where battles are won or lost. Argentina sinned for being too individualistic. Maradona, shadowed tightly by the defender Giménez, had a discrete performance. He had started well but as time went on his performance faded and had to work hard for every blade of grass, with the impeccable defending from the Guaraní defender. La Nación headlined: “Argentina: An opaque job” Menotti stated afterward, “It was a difficult match (...) Maradona ? He did not perform as he could. At times he moved too slow as if he felt confident.” Diego said: “Paraguay anticipated the plays well and our midfielders and forwards had an unhappy night” Goles rated Diego with a satisfactory 6 while El Gráfico graded him poorly with a 5.
South American Youth World Cup Qualifiers 1979 Final rounds 28/01/1979 Uruguay 0-0 Argentina Stadium: Centenario, Montevideo (Uruguay) La Nación headlined: “Rough and rigorous game” “The first half was intense, but with scarce situations on both halves (...) The second half was even more intense, with rough tackling” El Gráfico headlined: “Argentina respected their style” “Maradona with the mobility, hierarchy and fight as always. In the first 45 minutes he suffered 5 fouls. Several defenders deserved yellow cards. In the boots of Diego and with his communication with Escudero, the most colorful things happened.” The best chance for Argentina occurred when Maradona struck the bar from a free kick. There was also a possible handball not sanctioned in favor of Argentina when Maradona’s shot was deflected. But Uruguay at home would never get that call against them. Towards the end a brawl broke out and the Argentinian Barbas was sent off for retaliation after being violently hit in the chest. The Argentinian players protested and were surrounded by the local police, who allegedly hit Maradona and others. Diego stated after that the officer said to him: “You guys are compraditos and won’t do what you want here.” Other Argentinian players also were insulted and attacked. After the match Cesar Menotti said it was a shame what had occurred: “The incident at the end was exclusively the fault of the local police, which intervened without any need”. For Goles magazine, the match had been a “war”. Both sources praised the work of the defender Juan Simon at the back and the Argentinian team had showed great strength of character in a hostile environment against historically one of the most difficult places for Argentina to win. Argentina would fancy their chances against their “eternal rivals” next time on neutral grounds. Diego had an acceptable performance rated by both El Gráfico and Goles with a 6. Now the decisive last match between Argentina and Brazil would decide who would go through.
South American Youth World Cup Qualifiers 1979 Final rounds 31/01/1979 Argentina 1-0 Brazil Stadium: Centenario, Montevideo (Uruguay) Brazil needed a win by at least two goals to eliminate Argentina and qualify to the World Cup. A draw would have been enough for Argentina to go through. Some have argued that Diego’s best game was in this match, considering the pressure and against an arch rival. According to the information at hand, Maradona had been ruthlessly fouled around 20 times ! Was that an exaggeration ? Whatever the case, it was an infraction on Maradona inside the box that would decide the match against a desperate opponent that had been perhaps unfairly officiated in their previous match against the hosts, but this time deservedly lost. La Nación “Without a doubt Argentina deserved more than one to zero (...) Maradona, perturbed and hit almost continuously, seemed capriciously decided to resolve things on his own, and also inclined to fall at every hit (...)” El Gráfico headlined: “Going to Japan by the best way” “The return of Maradona to his best level was another key element for the team. His contact with the ball, his give-and-goes with Escudero, his prodigious magic of a child, was attempted to be stopped by the overhead kicks, tripping and shoving from his opponents. How many fouls did Maradona suffer in the entire tournament, señores officials ? How many defenders fouled him from behind without ever being cautioned ?” Maradona had been kicked with impunity and although he fabricated the only goal by being fouled inside the box by several defenders, there were arguments that he should have been awarded several more. The culprit was the atrocious Colombian referee that allowed Brazil to get away with nearly most of the calls, but also failed to award Brazil a penalty themselves. Argentina had deservedly won, had qualified to the FIFA Youth World Cup, but Diaz and Barrera’s performances had been recently poor. They had to play better in order for Argentina to succeed at the biggest stage. In general the team had performed well, with Maradona, Simon, Escudero and Alves as the top players. Maradona was El Gráfico’s man of the match with an excellent performance with the grade of a 9. Summary: 1 penalty drawn Below the breakdown of every Argentinian player and his grades per match, according to El Gráfico. The spectacular final average ratings of Simon (8,00), Maradona (7,80), Alves (7,66) and Escudero (7,40) have to be noted. A final review with awards of this competition coming up.
A Maradona goals' map : https://footballyesterdayandtoday.blogspot.com/2015/10/diego-maradona-liste-de-tous-ses-buts.html As published by France Football in 1995. Free-kicks and 'unofficial games' are not indicated.
Yes, that's what I said, in a nutshell. Still, it's regularly consulted when this thread is augmented so, I guess it is good for what it is : a rather good goals map.
Final review of Diego’s 1979 South American qualifying tournament. 13/01/1979 Argentina 4-0 Peru 1 goal + 1 PK drawn 18/01/1979 Argentina 5-0 Ecuador 1 or 2 assists (sources varied) 25/01/1979 Argentina 0-0 Paraguay 28/01/1979 Uruguay 0-0 Argentina 31/01/1979 Argentina 1-0 Brazil 1 PK drawn Total: 5 games 1 goal + 1 or 2 assists + 2 PK’s drawn Argentina converted 10 goals and Diego was involved in approximately 50 percent of their goals. Maradona was voted by the international press, which consisted of 40 journalists, as the best player of the competition, obtaining 10 first place votes. In second place there was a tie between Simón and Paraguay’s Romero with 6 votes each. The best goal of the competition was Diego’s second against Peru after eluding 3 defenders. El Gráfico’s team of the tournament The 1979 FIFA Youth World Cup would await the presumed star of the tournament in 6 months time (August-September 1979). But for now, Maradona would prepare to return to his club duties. Argentinos Juniors would tour Colombia and Ecuador before competing in their domestic Metropolitan Championship. An interview with Diego from after this tournament coming up.
An interview with Diego (January-February 1979); I have addressed the important parts. El Gráfico headlined: “The King of the Youths” What does this Youth South American tournament represent ? “It’s like any other tournament Argentina competes, it’s important for me (...) What conclusions do you take after being coached by Menotti at the senior and Youth level? “El Flaco is a phenom, not only as a manager but as a person. As a manager he taught me the most. I was able with him to correct some defects. For example, before him I used to touch the ball 3 to 4 times before passing. Cesar taught me how to incorporate my team with one touch and go. Especially to have that element of surprise. Besides, he’s frank and speaks direct. When he did not choose me for the senior team he told me I had great conditions with a bright future. Then he told me he had inclined for Valencia and Alonso for the number 10, because they had more experience (...) Is it easier to compete with players of no older than 19? “I think so. Especially taking into account the formations of Ecuador and even Peru. In those matches I felt I could take them on with ease and I’d never lose the ball. And although I like to and feel I can do it, I also tried to pass the ball around like “el flaco” (Menotti) wants me to (...)” Is the feeling different playing for the NT than for the club? “It’s different. Look, I give it all for Argentinos my club. But when I put on the NT jersey I feel I have to do more, because I am representing the whole country (...) How do you define yourself as a player ? “Principally skilled. I like to attack coming from deep since it gives me more panorama and also more space to confront face to face the defense or find the open teammate with long range passes. If I have to play up front I can but I wouldn’t perform the same.” Would you like to play abroad ? “At first I’d say no. I have all that I need here at home and it would affect me to leave behind my family and friends. I’d go if they sell me to help financially my family. Besides, there is something that keeps me here. I want to be a world champion in Spain 1982” Cesar Menotti said: “He reminds me of Pelé and Puskas. But in reality he is Maradona. He’s ready to become the number one” “Diego Maradona is the representative of an old history of Argentina. In every movement he has the nostalgia of a football that’s from the past. The youngsters are surprised for his art; the elders see in him a Sivori, and make comparisons. I see him as a mixture between Pelé and Puskas, especially when he shines (...) Futbol wise, he still needs a little order to recover balls, but Pelé did not have that in his beginnings either. He learned that later. In the beginning the Brazilian was a disaster: he played up front as number 9 and would forget about the rest. Potentially, Diego is ready to be the number one player in the world, but he must renounce at being an adolescent. What a shame it would be if he were sold. To see the number 10 come out but not see him play at the Paternal... what sadness to the people...” Menotti once said that the most wonderful thing was to wake up on Sunday’s and to be able to witness Diego in action at the Paternal stadium for Argentinos Juniors. But that wouldn’t last too much longer.
Friendly 09/02/1979 Bucaramanga (Colombia) 1-1 Argentinos Juniors Stadium: Alfonso López, Bucaramanga So Diego was back with his club starting a tour against first division Colombian teams. According to a Colombian text that is blurry (sorry I could not find a better copy) the first touches of Diego were sombreros (it’s a term used when a player chips the ball over the head of a defender and retrieves his own pass). Maradona had scored the opening goal from a free kick, well illustrated below, but later Jorge Ariza would equalize. Next up Argentinos would take part in a mini tournament against several Colombian sides. Summary: 1 goal (free kick) The fee kick goal of Maradona
Friendly Tournament (Copa Gobernación Del Valle tournament) semifinals 11/02/1979 América de Cali 3-2 Argentinos Júniors Stadium: Olímpico Pascual Guerrero, Cali (Colombia) Argentinos now visited one of the top Colombian ranked sides. The Argentinian team also had a new manager, Miguel A. Lopez, who replaced Spinetto. This match was summed up by this website: https://web.archive.org/web/2008022...gonzalez_aquino_debuto_frente_a_maradona.html Translated: At the beginning of February 1979 and after a 'fast' of 54 days, as far as football is concerned, a quadrangular tournament began at the 'Pascual Guerrero' stadium that involved the Cúcuta Deportivo teams, led by the Argentine Oscar Cardars, América, by doctor Gabriel Ochoa Uribe and Deportivo Cali by Eduardo Luján Manera. The group was completed by Argentinos Juniors from Argentina. Due to the proximity of the professional championship, it was decided to play it on two dates. The winners of the first day faced each other for the title and the losers for third and fourth places. The first match of the double program was played on Sunday, February 11, 1979 between Deportivo Cali and Cúcuta Deportivo, a commitment that ended with the triumph of the pupils of the new Verdiblanco coach, the gaucho Eduardo Luján Manera, by a score of 2-0 , targets of Néstor Leonel Scotta (now deceased) and Ernesto Juan 'El Cococho' Alvarez. The latter game was played by América de Cali and Argentinos Juniors, a team that had not visited the city for 18 years at that time, since the last time was in January 1961, when they played alongside Deportivo Cali, América de Rio de Janeiro and America de Cali. The Argentinos Juniors, version 1979, presented as a great novelty on the field of ‘Pascual Guerrero’ the midfield gaucho Diego Armando Maradona, the new football sensation from Río de la Plata and who had come from playing in the Youth South Américan championship. It was his first presentation in Colombia. Paraguayan Gerardo González Aquino made his debut in the ranks of the ‘Red Devils’ team, who now returns to the scarlet awnings as a technician. Precisely 10 minutes into the opening phase, González Aquino was very close to opening the scoring, when, after beating goalkeeper Munutti and with the goal completely unguarded, he crashed a ball into the right vertical of Argentinos goal. America's insistence gave results and in the 20th minute a center from Horacio Ferrín overcame the visitors' defense, a circumstance that Jorge Ramón Cáceres capitalized to open the scoring. In the second half, minute eight, the central defender Aurelio José Pascuttini, with a violent free kick shot, consolidated the scarlet lead at 2-0. Argentinos Juniors reacted and with the help of Diego Armando Maradona, who justified his great fame, he achieved the first goal for the visiting side in minute 28, in an individual action. A minute later, Rodrigo Mafla, Horacio Ferrín's replacement, conquered America's third goal in a quick counter-attack. But the determination of the visiting team did not wane at any time and in minute 32, Maradona took advantage of a deficiency in the defense of the 'Red Devils' and after a corner kick, with a low shot, diagonally, he beat the goalkeeper for the final score of 3-2 in favor of the team from the capital of Valle, which lasted until the final whistle. That match, historic due to the first presentation of Diego Maradona and Gerardo González Aquino in our midst, had the refereeing direction of Henry Agudelo, America presented the following list: Carlos Alfredo Gay; Luis Alegría Valencia, Luis Eduardo Reyes, Aurelio José Pascuttini (Ramón Elías Lucumi), José Gabriel Chaparro (Argemiro López); Gerardo González Aquino, Américo Quiñones, Ramiro Viáfara (Juan Caicedo); Horacio Ferrín (Rodrigo Mafla), Jorge Ramón Cáceres and Víctor Lugo. The day after that game, at the Mediterranean Restaurant, there was an ‘attempt’ to hire Diego Armando Maradona by América. José Sangiovanni, in those days president of the scarlet side, stated to the media: Football at the entertainment level has declined a lot. We have to look for real figures so that the enthusiasm for this sport resurfaces, not only for the attendance to the stadiums in 1979, but for the Colombian youth to become more firmly linked to football and to think towards the 1986 World Cup with greater interest. If we bring Maradona, be sure (he told Rodrigo Cobo Arzayús of the newspaper ‘El Pueblo’) that we are going to fill the stadiums in Cali and abroad ... Summary: 2 goals https://es.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Copa_Gobernación_del_Valle
Friendly (Copa Gobernación Del Valle tournament) third place match 14/02/1979 Deportivo Cúcuta 1-5 Argentinos Júniors Stadium: Olímpico Pascual Guerrero, Cali (Colombia) Diego ended his Colombian tour with a bang! 4 goals, which were his first four goals scored as a professional, and a standing ovation from the home crowd once he left the stadium. For this match, the Colombian magazine of AS Deportes graded players. The text read: “The world football star had a spectacular performance and justified his astronomical value of transfer” Diego received the highest marks with an excellent performance of a 9 and was simply outstanding. The Colombian newspaper of El Tiempo wrote, “a shot from 25 meters out on the run, opened the party for Maradona in the 37th minute. Manuel Magan leveled 3 minutes after the half. However, the night belonged to the Argentinian crack who scored from the spot in the 55th minute. Then again Maradona in an individual play was brought down inside the box and he himself converted the third goal. Once again the duel between the goalkeeper Quiñones-Maradona, who alone in front of goal put the game 4-1. Suarez, who replaced Maradona, sentenced the 5-1 result (...)” Summary: 4 goals (2 PKs)
El Gráfico highlighted Diego’s performances abroad. It headlined: “Maradona: Show in Colombia” “Diego scored 7 goals in 3 matches against Colombian squads. And his conception of his game multiplied praises as he received a standing ovation when he left the pitch in his last match against Cúcuta” Colombian sides wanted to sign him and the rich ‘powerful’ team of America de Cali, were willing to put 1 million (an absurd amount for Colombian standards at the time) on the table to grab his services for the upcoming season. Argentinos rejected offers as they wanted him for the upcoming Metropolitan Championship.
I already said that about Argentinos Jr 1978 campaign, but its just odd to me that Maradona was not the penalty kick guy designed with the 79 Youth Team.
UPDATE on Maradona Stats so far As of 14.02.1979 OFFICIAL GAMES: 107 games, 48 goals with 6 free kicks and 8 penalties. OFFICIAL+FRIENDLY: 125 games, 62 goals with 8 free kicks and 10 penalties. With Argentina Senior Team: 4 games, 0 goals (8\0 including friendly) With Argentina Youth: 8 games, 1 goal (15\6 including friendly) With Argentinos Jr: 95 games, 47 goals (102\56 including friendly) Games with 3+ Goals: 3 in Atlanta-Argentinos Jr 2-5, 16.03.1978, Liga Argentina 3 in Argentinos Jr - Chacharita 5-0, 21.05.1978 Liga Argentina 4 in Deportivo Cucuta - Argentinos Jr 1-5, 14.02.1979, Amistoso
Friendly 18/02/1979 Liga Deportiva Universitaria de Quito (Ecuador) 7-0 Argentinos Juniors Stadium: Olímpico Atahualpa Quito, Ecuador The local Ecuadorian magazine, “Estadio”, headlined: “Maradona the Argentinian Pelé ?” This game was infamous for the sending off of Maradona right after the half when his team was trailing by two goals. The problem started in the 48th minute when a Quito player scored in offside position. The linesman raised his flag but the Ecuadorean official overruled him and the goal stood. This is where the game became a charade and violent. Argentinos goalkeeper Rigante and Maradona confronted the referee and attacked him. Already in the mini tournament held in Colombia, Argentinos Juniors felt they had been “robbed”, now the same applied on Ecuadorian fields. Both Rigante and Maradona were sent off. Argentinos playing the rest of the game with 9 men received a hammering blow. Five more goals were scored against them. The home press was ecstatic, criticizing the visiting side and praising their local players. After the match, Maradona said: “The officials had been in bad faith, jeopardizing us, with the Ecuadorian being the worse”. What the Ecuadorian official said years later: J. Carlos Quirola inherited from his father Adolfo the pleasure of refereeing (...) The patriarch of this lineage is Adolfo, one of the legends of the national benchmark from the 70s to the early 90s. He was the one who had enough personality to expel Diego Maradona in 1979, when his Argentinos Juniors team visited Quito to measure the University Sports League when the 'Pibe de Oro' began to dazzle. “The match with Maradona from the beginning, he was a tough player, he misbehaved. I admonished him and he continued with his claims, then he uttered heavy caliber words and fought me, I put my fists and he fell down” explained the former referee. “The Ambassador (Argentine) and Mr. Rodrigo Paz came down to ask that he not expel Maradona and I said, if people came to see Maradona, I'll go” he recalled. https://www.ultimasnoticias.ec/noticias/2606-referato-en-los-genes.html So Diego’s controversial tour in Ecuador and Colombia had ended with blows. Now he would prepare for the domestic championship at home.