I’m fast developing a soft spot for Maradona, which is no mean feat. The Hand of God is my earliest footballing memory, he has a chequered history of drug abuse and, despite being all of 5ft 4in tall, he still looks better in a suit than me. But while the pre-tournament hype surrounded the genius of Messi, the true genius in the Argentina squad is happening off the pitch.
Yesterday, when asked about his exuberant celebrations following his team’s comfortable defeat of South Korea, during which he kissed nearly every one of his players, Maradona’s eyes bulged with mock (I think) fury, explained he prefers girls and went on to describe the lovely Monica.
What was that about?
It wasn’t just that press conference either. Ahead of the South Korea game Maradona claimed that Pele “should go back to the museum” and of Michel Platini said: “We all know how the French are, and Platini is French, and he believes he is better than rest”. In a press conference last weekend he revealed: “I have never been afraid of anything or anyone, unless they are wearing a mask.”
All this and it’s only the boring group stages. Imagine what he might come out with if Argentina go all the way to the final.
England play Algeria tonight. I’m hoping they reach the standards Argentina have set so far in this tournament and Capello reaches the standards Maradona has set in his post match interview.
Go on Fabio, say something crazy.
