The Greatest?

Diego Armando Maradona is undoubtedly one of the greatest players the world has ever seen – perhaps the best. His coaching skills have not matched his on field abilities, but Maradona defied many commentators’ expectations by snatching a place at South Africa’s party at the last minute. Maradona recently came to South Africa with a delegation from the Argentinean Football Association (AFA). They were in the country for a five-day visit to inspect the facilities to be used by their team in Tshwane (Pretoria) during the World Cup finals.

Maradona is considered by many to be the greatest footballer of all time; he finished first in an internet vote for the FIFA Player of the Century award, and shared the award with Pelé. I rate him the second best player, deducting points for his social behaviour compared to the clean-living Pelé. Maradona played in four World Cups, including 1986 where he captained Argentina and led them to their victory over West Germany in the final, winning the Golden Ball award as the tournament’s best player. He scored both goals in a 2-1 victory over England that entered football history, though for two very different reasons. The first goal was a clear handball known as the ‘Hand of God,’ that the officials somehow failed to spot, while the second goal was a spectacular sixty-metre weave through six England players, commonly referred to as ‘The Goal of the Century.’

For various reasons, Maradona is considered one of the sport’s most controversial and newsworthy figures. He was suspended from football for fifteen months in 1991 after failing a test for cocaine in Italy, and he was sent home from the 1994 World Cup in the USA for using ephedrine. He did not receive an invitation to the FIFA World Cup Draw in December 2009 due to suspension by FIFA for an outburst immediately after Argentina qualified for the 2010 World Cup.

Children Greet Legend:

The Argentinean delegation visited the Lowe Middle School in Tshwane which has received assistance from them since 2000. The school represented Argentina at the annual Group of Latin and Caribbean countries football tournament, with the Argentine embassy over the years facilitating coaching clinics by Argentine coaches at the school They also had exchange programs and supplied the school with computers, equipment and funding.

The majority of the children and teachers tried to touch Maradona’s hand and caused mayhem among the crowd. Teachers tried unsuccessfully to regain order as enthusiastic students mobbed the 1.65m legend as he handed out caps, t-shirts and kit bags. Eventually the remaining branded gifts that were distributed to the youngsters were removed to a classroom, where teachers promised to hand them out to those who assembled in an orderly queue.

Speaking to the students before the chaos erupted Maradona said: “I want to say that I have received a lot of welcomes in my life, but the reception from the children at this school, I will never forget in my whole life – never. In each kiss, each handshake, each hug, I felt that I had a friend. I am here with all of you and this will not be the last time, because I am going to be very close to you, when I come to play the world cup.”

Overcome with appreciation at the enthusiastic reception Maradona said: “I do not have the words to thank you for all the love that you have given me. I will never forget you because you have such a big heart. Thank you for welcoming me.”

Maths teacher Mmaletia Rebecca Lelaka who has been coaching the schools under-13 football team for the last two years said: “Our players are very proud to wear the football jerseys that the embassy gives us every year for our players. Last year our team did not do too well but we have something special to look forward to this year. The Argentinean embassy has promised that we will get an opportunity to take the team to meet all of the players when they are here for the world cup.”

Return in June:

Maradona was happy, emotional and proud when he saw the students were wearing his shirt that he wore for a long time. He had a session with students of the soccer school of the Sports Academy of the High Performance Centre at Pretoria’s LC de Villiers Sports Grounds.

Argentina’s national team chose it as their base. The delegation was highly satisfied with the facility, but requested flat-screen television sets and improvement of security. The University gave Argentina carte-blanche regarding the use of the facility.

Maradona also paid a visit to Soccer City Stadium that will host the World Cup’s opening match, as well as the final. Maradona was impressed with what he saw and praised the South African Football Association for the strides made over the past two years. I think the little maestro would have loved to demonstrate his talents in a stadium of this style and design. All South Africans are eagerly awaiting the start of our World Cup this June and Maradona knows that his Argentina team will not lack support in South Africa.

Over the course of his professional club career Maradona played for several teams, including Argeninos Juniors, Boca Juniors, Barcelona, Newell’s Old Boys and Napoli, setting world-record contract fees. He earned ninety-one caps and scored thirty-four goals. After retiring from playing on his 37th birthday in 1997 he increasingly suffered ill health and weight gain, hardly helped by ongoing cocaine abuse. In 2005 a stomach-stapling operation helped control his weight gain. After overcoming his cocaine addiction, he became a popular TV host in Argentina.

His outspoken manners have sometimes put him at odds with journalists and sport executives, earning a suspension for his outburst at journalists following Argentina‘s qualification for the World Cup. Although he had little previous managerial experience – coaching Mandiyú de Corrientes in 1994 before moving to Racing Club the following year. Thirteen years later Maradona was appointed Argentina’s head coach. The little maestro will be keen to prove his detractors wrong.