The first time when I actually watched the World Cup football live on TV was in 1986. That was the good ole days of Doordarshan, and it quite often used to telecast the World Cup and Olympics. The World Cup at least till 1998, from 2002 onwards it has been Ten Sports and ESPN. I grew up playing soccer, and it was a game that I enjoyed, more than cricket. And when it came to football greats, the only names I knew were Pele and Franz Beckenbeauer that time.
I did hear a lot of Pele, and considering his vast fan following in India, many tales about his soccer skills and of course his legendary bicycle or reverse kick. But then much like Sir Don Bradman, he was one player whom I never actually saw in action live, except for video clippings. I would however thank God for giving me the opportunity to witness another legend live in action. A legend who goes by the name of Diego Armando Maradonna. He led Argentina well in the group stages as also in the pre quarters against Uruguay. It was however the quarter final match against England that would create history. And I consider myself fortunate to actually have watched this match live.
This was the match that contained 2 radically different Goals, the first of course the famous "Hand of God" Goal, which led to a huge protest from the English players, the media, over the referee’s decision. But no doubts against the second Goal or the "Goal of the Century", well I have seen this live on TV, and it deserves all the hyperbole it has. The way Maradona dribbled past 5 English players( Peter Beardsley, Steve Hodge, Peter Reid, Terry Butcher and Terry Fenwick), and then beat the goal keeper Peter Shilton, was out of the world. England had one of the best ever defenses, and here was this stocky, short, man with a curly mop, making them look like rank amateurs, and putting the goal past them. What we saw on the soccer field was akin to seeing a Hollywood action movie, where the hero gets past half a dozen bad guys and kills the villian. Only this was not a movie, this was a game, and it was just so unbelievable.
For days on, the only conversation was about "Maradona" and the Goal, with Brazil being knocked out, Argentina became the default favorite of most Indians, and he did not disappoint as he led Argentina to a win over the Germans in the final at Mexico. Pele was a legend, but Maradona was something else. This was a man whose goal was seen live by millions of people the world over, and who became an icon. The fact that he came from a very humble background, his rise from rags to riches, his genius, his talent, all contributed in adding to the mystique.
Sadly the fall came even quicker. The same Maradona who mesmerized the world in 1986 with his magic, looked a pale shadow of himself four years later in Italy. While Argentina did make it to the final, their game was dull, dreary and defensive. Maradona himself was nowhere close to the man who created history in 1986. Add to it his childish, juvenile outbursts after Argentina was beaten by Germany in the final, accusing of a Mafia conspiracy, did not really endear him to people. He was not a good loser for sure, and just as his fans were about to forgive him for what happened, a bigger shock came. In 1994, he was sent home after Argentina’s second match, after failing a dope test. The fall was complete.
Maradona has never been a role model for good behavior that is for sure. Not just his doping or drug addiction or unsporting like behavior on many occasions. His alleged links with the Mafia, his messy personal life, or his rude behavior with the media. Not to forget his tantrums, when Pele was chosen as the Footballer of the Century ahead of him. He has been Soccer’s bad boy, with his record of disciplinary problems and drug addiction.