When football meant Mohan Bagan versus East Bengal and visibility of the game restricted to Doordarshan, if youngsters were playing football and keeping awake for FIFA World Cup(across India), then the enigma who made it possible was none other than one and only Diego Maradona.
As they say, short personalities make a towering impact and whatever they
touch turn into gold even if it was hand goal by Maradona.
The ‘Hand of God’ in 1986, (Maradona) took Argentina to victory against England in quarter finals and rest is history. The champion craftsman took his country to coveted championship and our generation got an answer to undisputed ‘Pele’.
Yes, the world of football now formally argues who’s the best ever, Pele or Maradona? And the answer still remains under the wraps.
The man with golden foot, golden hand and golden heart, faltered immediately after retirement. The fat became obese, hero to fallen one and the king on the ground found peace in drugs and finally ended up in rehabilitation in Cuba.
The king returned but with diminished personna of himself. Out of sight is always, out of mind, but not Maradona! This time though, he has gone forever.
The world will miss Maradona and for many amongst us, he still remains the greatest forever.
RIP Maradona.
Image courtesy: CBS Sports
