DIEGO ARMANDO MARADONA
From Sampath’s Desk:
Diego Armando Maradona (1960-2020), a legendary Argentine
professional football player-cum-manager who remained ahead of all his
contemporaries, an icon and master striker, go-getter, never-say-give-up
one-man-army and an all-time genius of the game – all rolled into one – had
given a final kick on 25.11.2020 bidding adieu to the world leaving millions of
his fans in tears.
In his departure, the sports field in general and the international Soccer circuit in particular, has suffered a heavy jolt and insurmountable loss.
A reigning star on the football sky that was shining for decades has suddenly
disappeared. The ball that he kicked last has now rolled into and stopped at a
corner of the football stadium to remain tearfully silent in bereavement.
Maradona has become synonymous with Football and no mention of this sport will be complete and become a full circle without a reference to him. He was a heart-throb and sensation for millions of football followers for decades. The preternaturally and perennially resourcefulness of the game displayed by the 1960-born Maradona was always a mind-blowing, spectacular, splendid, and visual treat. With him on the ground, it would be a nightmare and edgy for the opposition team and their followers in the stadium galleries. Who can forget the goal, his second in the game, albeit becoming one of the most infamous in the Soccer history that was adjudged the best one of the 20th century in a 2002-vote by the Fédération Internationale de Football Association (International Federation of Association Football, in English – FIFA - the sport’s world apex body? Making his debut in the country’s top tier in 1976, 10 days before turning 16, there was no look back for him. It is noteworthy here that Maradona (mostly an attacking midfielder and second striker) was responsible for the ‘Hand of God’ goal that eliminated England from the 1986 World Cup in the quarter-final. That match was played between the arch-rivals - England and Argentina - at the Azteca stadium in Mexico City in a tense background. Both nations had come off the Falklands war a couple of years ago and the rivalry was at fever pitch then. With the match between England and Argentina tied at 0-0 at the end of the first-half, the competition was interestingly poised. With the second-half beginning, both teams were playing cautiously. But all that changed in the 51st minute of the match. Weaving past three men in the midfield, Maradona passed the ball to Valdano and set off in anticipation of a return. However, England mid-fielder Steve Hodge stole the ball and back-passed to the goal-keeper. Maradona was rushing towards the goal as England keeper Peter Shilton advanced to grab the ball. “It floated down to me like a little balloon. Oh boy, what a treat,” said Maradona. The Argentinean legend lunged forward and put the ball into the net in what came to be famously known as the 'Hands of God' goal.
His brilliant and dazzling contribution in four World Cups in 1982, 1986, 1990, and 1994 clinched the trophy for his motherland, Argentina. In his international career, he earned 91 caps and scored 34 goals. In 1986, Argentina captained by him won against West Germany in the final that got him the ‘Golden Ball’ as the tournament’s best player. He will always be remembered by sports lovers in general and Soccer followers in particular.
R.SAMPATH
27/11/2020
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