I posted this on my FB page earlier...
Artists and geniuses do not operate from the same planet we do. They're here, we see and experience their talents, their gifts, their energy and their auras, but their minds and human electricity are from another world. Where we see black and white, they see rainbows. Where we see tall, they see no ceiling. Where we see good and bad, they see stratospheric life going where it needs to go, without censor or restraint.
I believe these rare individuals should be wholly venerated. Because there is only ever one.
Diego Maradona painted pictures (masterpieces) and wrote poems (laureate level) with his left foot, building legend and invigorating millions with his resolute, barrel-chested genius. He did so on pitches that make your gardens look like a putting green, and he did so against defenders who would be in jail today.
Oh Diego...an explosive, beautiful talent on the pitch and a hedonistic Shakespearean drama off it...
Women, deification, cocaine, Mafioso,
Shooting at the press and hangin' with Fidel Castro
And you know I haven't touched the half of it. A life lived to fullest? It would appear so, complete with regrets, tragedies, several dances with death and hot, steaming controversies.
I was privileged to see him in 1981 for Argentina in a friendly at Wembley, and sad to miss him in Ossie's testimonial match several years later. I visited La Bombonera and the El Caminato neighborhood, and wish I could've seen him for Boca or Napoli.
It is my view that any Englishman who holds the Hand of GHod against him is being exceptionally small-minded and myopic. Did he cheat? Yes. Have many others with a 1/100th of his talent? Yes. Could any other player in the world have scored that second goal? No. And to understand that 6 minute stretch in the '86 WC QF at the Azteca, you'd need to know where he came from (the proper streets, the real bricktiest of barrios), you'd need to understand every inch of where he came from and the weight on his shoulders, and specifically-speaking, you'd need to know what it is to have someone try to break your ankle in a game. Add to that the pressures of being Argentina's shining light and only hope...I can't be bitter. There is so much genius to admire, why would I be?
I have watched many highlights today, and I am saving a repeat viewing of Kapadia's brilliant Maradona documentary for the next couple of days. But there is one which is just eternal, and it is a clip of Victor Hugo Morales commentary of that incredible goal in '86 against us. BTW, quote aside from the slalom around our team, note the absolutely OUTRAGEOUS turn, twist and accelerate pirouette move at the start of that goal... I also suggest you read the translation as you listen to the clip. It is pure poetry.
RIP Diego Maradona, and thank you.
“Maradona has the ball, two mark him, he touches the ball. The genius of world football dashes to the right and leaves the third and is going to pass to Burruchaga. It’s still Maradona! Genius! Genius! Genius!Ta-ta-ta-ta-ta-ta-ta. Gooooooooooal! Gooooooooooal! I want to cry! Dear GHod! Long live football! Gooooooooooal! Diegoal! Maradona! It’s enough to make you cry, forgive me. Maradona, in an unforgettable run, in the play of all time. Cosmic kite! What planet are you from? Leaving in your wake so many Englishmen, so that the whole country is a clenched fist shouting for Argentina? Argentina 2, England 0. Diegoal, Diegoal, Diego Armando Maradona. Thank you, GHod, for football, for Maradona, for these tears, for this, Argentina 2, England 0.”
