Martin Goldbart
02/24/2020 - 16:32
- Clarín.com
- sports
On October 20, 1976, one Diego Armando Maradona debuted in the first of Argentinos Juniors against Workshops. It was 1 to 0 for the Cordoba people, but the eyes focused on the 15-year-old with his head covered in curlers and a hypnotic left-hander.
Pele would retire on October 1, 1977, in a friendly match between Santos and Cosmos, clubs where he militated and forged, along with his performances in the Brazilian team, his own legend, his reign.
That retinue of 1.66 that did not cease to gambetear, to ridicule rivals, in 1979 won the U19 World Cup and began to check the monarchy of Edson Arantes do Nascimento. The debate about who was better, began to write his most controversial chapter, at least until the early years of the 2000s. Other competitors such as Michel Platini, Zico and even Johan Cruyff were also admired, but they were a step below.
Messi recognizes the San Paolo, a Maradonean temple. Reuters photo
On October 16, 2004 a young Rosario named Lionel Messi was presented in society. Hired by Barcelona a few years before with the commitment to take care of his family and his treatment for late development.
The AFA, alerted to its existence, organized a friendly lightning strike against Paraguay on the Argentinos Juniors field to put on the Argentine shirt and end any chance of defending the colors of Spain at the selections level.
Thirteen years later, Messi, his talent, his records, his titles, his goals and his prawns, continues to put the reign of Maradona in check, in lands where Maradona landed in Europe, such as Barcelona and within hours of visiting for the first time the bowels of the Maradonean Empire: Naples, for the first leg of the round of 16 of the Champions League. Nothing less.
Diego, in his most glorious hours in southern Italy. AP Photo
In that context, Gerard Piqué and Quique Setién, defender and coach of the Culé, respectively, faced the microphones at the pre-duel press conference and consultations on both numbers 10 were inevitable.
👋🏻 Welcome Leo to the D10S temple 🔟 🇦🇷 Welcome to San Paolo 🏟 !! # NapoliBarça #ForzaNapoli Semper 💙 pic.twitter.com/9hSeCT8RHE
- Official SSC Napoli (@sscnapoliES) February 24, 2020Piqué, praised the two Argentine stars, reports the AFP agency, but said that with the former he trains and plays daily so he stays "with the magic of Messi".
"Maradona is a unique player in the history of football, who gave a lot to this sport, which went through Barcelona and also by Napoli, which will be remembered forever. Now if you ask me between Leo and Maradona, which is the question of million, I would tell you that I am left with the regularity of Leo and the magic that he does every day, "Piqué added.
Then, the defender emerged from the mythical Masia, questioned a possible landing of Messi in the Italian south team and said: "In football you can never say never, but I guess it's difficult, you have to ask him. what concerns me, I would like him to retire at Barça. "
The Champions are back! 🍿 pic.twitter.com/u786Go9Gto
- FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona_es) February 23, 2020Then, it was the coach's turn, arrived a few weeks ago from Betis. The questions were in the same direction as for the world champion in South Africa 2010 and said that the big difference that distinguishes Messi from the rest is his "continuity".
"Leo is a great soccer player who has been playing all matches for 14 or 15 years, this is the difference with the rest of the players that are at his level and he remarked that" the difference makes this; that we have not seen a player who has so much continuity, that after so many years he continues to play games like the last one ", a reference to the four goals against Eibar by La Liga last weekend.
The legends do not lose their validity, but they renew and strengthen it day after day. This Tuesday, in San Paolo, they will do it again.