Maradona’s Last Dance

Love him or hate him, Diego Maradona’s electric return to football ended far too soon. Taking the reins of Argentina in 2008, Maradona guided the national side through a last-gasp qualifying campaign and then inspired his players to produce the most entertaining football of the first round of the World Cup.

So it was sad turn of events when Argentina’s football association decided to sever ties with its feisty coach earlier this week.

Never one to let sleeping dogs lie, Maradona departed with an emotional salvo to the press that included accusations of conspiracy and even treason lodged against the same football officials who had fired him.

But perhaps there was no other way this tale could end. Maradona was never one to go quietly into the night. More like guns-a-blazin’.  After all, Maradona has always imagined himself as the victim of persecution. If it’s not the press or the tax authorities or the drug testers, then it’s the people who don’t believe in playing the game the right way.

Maradona brought the beautiful game to South Africa, but as soon as Argentina came up against a strong, organized team, he was exposed for the one trick pony that he is. No amount of passion can make up for the absence of any tactical nous. The Germans walloped Argentina because they were strong and organized, and Maradona had no Plan B.

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