Diego Maradona match career reports (1976-1997)

Coming up an interview that was conducted a few weeks after the final from Maradona’s own words about his tournament in Japan...

 

Celebrations all over Argentina well into the night after victory had been assured.

 

A brief summary of Maradona’s key observations after the conquest of the Youth World Cup.

He considered this Argentinian side the best team he ever played with. He felt that the squad started to really show its identity when they beat Franz Beckenbauer and the NY Cosmos in 1978 and reached their peak right before the World Cup when they beat Mexico in a friendly.

Before the Youth World Cup qualifiers, few believed in this team. But as the games rolled on in Uruguay, the team started to take shape. When the World Cup arrived, the team reached its optimal level physically and mentally. He praised the backline and especially the work of Juan Barbas in midfield. It was a solid defensive side which only conceded 2 goals and an extraordinary frontline which converted 20 goals. He said he was very pleased with the work of Rinaldi.

As for his performance was concerned, his best game was against Uruguay, an arch rival that kicked him the most in the tournament. He considered Ramon Diaz to have the best short sprint in the world with the ball at full flight which gave him an edge to distance himself from markers, as was evidenced in the breakaway second goal that he set up against Uruguay for Diego to score with his head. His teammate Calderon had the best shot in his view.

The Yugoslavian game was his biggest concern because in the first half they were well built to stifle Argentina’s best weapons. He considered this opponent to be stronger than Poland and could have been a finalist. He felt he hadn’t played well in the first half and was too static. Menotti advised him to shuffle his game after the half and operate on both flanks to throw off the defensive plans of the Balkan’s team. The victory then over Poland was key in order to secure first place and avoid traveling lengthy kilometers to Kobe from Tokyo. The game where he was replaced after 55 minutes vs Algeria he didn’t appreciate that decision from Menotti. The apparent reason was to rest him and avoid injury because the Algerian defenders were aiming to kick him from behind.

The semifinals vs Uruguay was the match of the tournament. Uruguay’s goalkeeper, Alvez had constantly ordered his men to kick Argentina’s players because in the goalkeeper’s view Argentina would be intimidated and afraid. In reality that didn’t concern Maradona because he felt his team was better and his goal with his head was the most significant in the competition, according to him.

His best goal in terms of quality was his second against Indonesia, where he flashed past several markers and rifled a low shot into the corner.



In the final he felt that the Soviets respected them too much and that Argentina were already champions beforehand because of the mental edge that he felt the team had over their opponents before the kickoff. But the Soviet goal did cause some concerns until the team settled and had teammate Meza arrive, which was a key game-changer in momentum. The Soviets were a well disciplined side, strong and athletic but loyal in the tackle, without the malice of the Uruguayans. Once Argentina drew level he knew the trophy was theirs.



Diego was voted as best player of the tournament and received the Golden Ball award + Silver boot.

 

‘When it comes to the all-time supremacy there are only two true contenders: Diego Maradona and Pelé’
Jeff Powell, the Daily Mail (November 2020)

An interesting piece from the British point of view in their 1979 ‘Football Handbook’



It was published after Argentina had toured Europe with Maradona becoming an immediate global hit. It’s revealing how Jeff Powell, writer of the year in 1979 for the Daily Mail, classified Maradona as the world’s top player over Kevin Keegan and had press voices immediately place the Argentinian in the same class of Pelé, Di Stefano and Cruijff.

I’ve looked into retrospective views of Jeff Powell, who bore witness firsthand of Maradona’s exploits in Europe between 1979-1980, and followed Diego through his rise and fall after World Cup 1994. The author is perhaps more of an admirer to the man and considers him the most talented player that graced the game, but still would choose Pelé as his number 1 choice if tempted to do so because according to the writer, the Brazilian was the most complete player ever.

Some of his views:
[...] Such was my enthusiasm for the new wonder boy of the world game that several of my most distinguished sportswriting colleagues chided me gently for going over the top. But they had not been there.
When Argentina toured on from Switzerland, first to Hampden Park, then to Wembley, so the rest of Fleet Street saw Maradona's brilliance for themselves - and were astonished. [...]

[...] The unlikely body in which those mercurial gifts were to be found - short, squat, bowlegged and no-necked - made Maradona's status in Edson Arantes do Nascimento's beautiful game all the more difficult to acknowledge.

Yet it was that low centre of gravity which blessed Diego Armando with a remarkable dexterity on the turn and acceleration with the ball. It was that capacity to produce magical skills at electrifying pace- especially in the deadly zone around goal - which still sets him apart from even the sublime likes of Zidane, Ronaldo, Cruyff, Platini and all the rest of Pele's apostles. [...]

https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.da...Maradona-celebrated-one-time-greats-game.html

[...] But the ultimate footballer verdict must come down to rational reflection, not the immediate heat of passion. Just as patriotic preferences and personal experiences have to be set aside in the judgment of the 10 commanders.

How can I bring myself to leave out England’s two World Cup-winning Bobbies — Charlton and Moore — both magnificent players who have graced me with their friendship — a privilege shared mutually with the Kaiser, Franz Beckenbauer?

The answers are to be found among names such as Di Stefano and Cruyff, whose magic totally transformed the football of their lives and times. With Garrincha, whose mastery of the ball had more to do with Brazil’s World Cup triumphs than Pele, and who is more widely cherished by many of his countrymen.

With John Charles, who was a colossus at centre forward as well as centre half with Wales and Juventus. With Puskas, who scored almost a goal a game in all those majestic appearances for Real Madrid and Hungary.

With the duelling duo of Messi and Ronaldo, whose rivalry bedazzles our lives today but whose claims to immortality remain unstamped by World Cup glory. With Best, the urchin epitome of the mercurial maverick before we’d so much as heard of Maradona, and whose company I cherished.

Which brings us back to the No 1 question. To the choice between the Little Bull of the pampas and the Black Pearl of the beaches. Between the bewitching wizardry of the most breathtaking natural talent of all time and the most complete footballer who ever lived, that man of a thousand goals. [...]

JEFF POWELL'S TOP 10 of all time (November 2020)

1. Pele
2. Diego Maradona
3 Alfredo Di Stefano
4 Garrincha
5 Johan Cruyff
6 John Charles
7 Ferenc Puskas
8 George Best
9 Cristiano Ronaldo
10 Lionel Messi

https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.da...Maradona-fails-just-knock-Pele-No-1-spot.html

 

In regards to the top 3 he’s chosen the more traditional choices. But for fun to level things out and to appease either side, I’ve selected a few other lists with the same top 3 but in different order.

Adalberto Bortolloti (Guerin Sportivo journalist) year 1997


https://www.bigsoccer.com/threads/s...-player-ratings.2085771/page-93#post-38706966

Joseph Blatter (FIFA vice President) year 1992

 

I found a nice piece of the other major magazine of sports at the time in Argentina: “Goles”

It provided a nice review with goalkeeper Fillol’s contribution, with some nice photos of the euphoria in the country with the capital and its landmark obelisk crowded by fans.



La 9 de julio with its grand streets crowded after Argentina had won the championship.


kids in class celebrating Maradona’s goal in the last minutes of the final against the Soviet Union. The whole country paused to witness this youth team.

To be continued...

 

Mr. Puma men

 

It would be great to post it here in his thread. Thanks!