Santo Diego Argentina Maradona revered as a saint
Tortured View: Is his favorite Lionel Messi was again fouled?
Camilla Landbø
Buenos Aires - Maradona hats once again made it: He is an attraction at the World Cup in South Africa. This time, however, on the edge of the pitch, as the national coach of the Argentine team. The cameras of the world back the stocky 49-year-olds in a chic suit remarkably often in the picture. When he spins around cheering after a goal. If he looks disgusted from the laundry. Or when he distributes his players kisses and pats it lovingly. Maradona is pure entertainment and somehow "in". Even before the first whistle of this World Cup, he made headlines. He was in the World Cup quarter of his team a heated toilet bowl installed. Since then, the luxury toilets in South Africa a big seller.
three times, one felt the quake last Sunday Buenos Aires. Three times sounded "Goooooaaaal" by the extinct because of the World Cup game avenues of the metropolis. Maradona's team won 3-1 against Mexico in the second round and qualified for the quarter - final against Germany. Although it was a gray and cold day, the Argentines rushed in all over the streets and squares and celebrated the victory of their Albiceleste extensively, euphoric, even, ecstatic. Who was also befeiert, was the former soccer ace, the number ten, the current coach Diego Armando Maradona. "Before the World Cup it was in Argentina, as a coach I understand anything," he said laconically told reporters in South Africa. "Now with four wins in succession, they say I'm the best."
rookie coach last year, Maradona suffered bitterly during the World Cup qualifier in fact. His team was eliminated almost. Fans were angry. His election as national coach many called a mistake. It seemed as if the star God of football should perish miserably. A huge embarrassment was the game in La Paz: Bolivia removed the Argentine with a 6-1 victory. After a series of further defeats, sat for eleven days from Maradona fled to Italy, in a spa. Depression plagued him. Diego, thank the Albiceleste could still qualify for the World Cup.
But now it's all old coffee anyway. Maradona in Argentina is again a national hero. Temper tantrums, verbal obscenities, excessive coolness - all is forgotten. The Maradona Church - Iglesia Maradoniana - can probably currently expect a major inflow. Founded as the Catholic dominated Place of worship about twelve years in the Argentine city of Rosario, and today it has a few tens of thousands of members worldwide. Clear: Adored is God, so Diego. The religion is football, the Bible Diego's autobiography, "Yo soy Diego" and relics are bright blue and white jerseys. Christmas is on 30 Celebrated in October to Maradona's birthday. Currently, hold church members in South Africa. Before each game they pray "Diego on our earth ..." see
This Saturday, the guys from Maradona "the most important game so far around the World" over how the master himself says: Argentina against Germany. Four years ago in any case defeated in the quarter-finals Germany, the Argentine team in a penalty shootout. This time we'll leave the place as the winner, according to the Gauchos. "I feel like 1986, I would love to wear the jersey and run onto the field," said Maradona during a press conference.
1986 Argentina won the World Cup final in Mexico with a 3-2 win against Germany. Prior to the quarter-final against England had Maradona - the first with a hand connected with the "Hand of God", then with a goal after a breathtaking dribble over the half court - led the Argentine national team to the semifinals. On that day Diego was God.
And if Maradona "muchachos" on Saturday retire? Withdrawal of love in Argentina? Hardly. With the successful entry to the quarterfinals the 1.65-meter-size football has abverdient his spurs. And if the Albiceleste World Cup champion, will we know what to expect: Pelusa, curly head, as he is called the Argentine media often wants to run naked around the obelisk in Buenos Aires. Some have already announced support for Santo Diego here. This could be the Rat Race.