When the news broke that Football legend Diego Maradona had died of a heart attack, my initial reaction was of shock and disbelief. Then I looked up at the sky and said, “Gracias Diego. It is because of you, at the age of eight, I fell in love with the beautiful game.”
Diego Armando Maradona, captain of the victorious 1986 Argentina World Cup team, was and still is an inspiration to many Football fans. During his professional club and international career, he mesmerized us all with the way he dribbled the ball, cut open defences, and scored many fantastic goals.
It was like watching a graceful martial artist or dancer. Diego made it look so easy and many Footballers have always tried to replicate what he did on the pitch, but it was merely impossible as he was from “another planet.”
He had many life challenges and problems of the pitch mainly with drug addiction, but when he played the game, he was a genius. A few days after his death last week, I started putting this article together. The challenge of writing about Diego is keeping it short cause you could write a thesis about him. So I called some of my former colleagues from Foxsports who also played for their country, and asked them what kind of influence Diego had on their careers?
Former Singapore international defender and Foxsports pundit - R. Sasikumar said, “The reason why I wanted to wear Puma kings boots when I was growing up was because of Maradona because the boots were so iconic. My thinking was if wore his boots then I would play like him. Obviously, I did not, but he was my inspiration. He was on a different planet. We were always trying to emulate him but we were nowhere close to it. He was a real inspiration for us all.”
My other Foxsports colleague and former Singapore international midfielder, John Wilkinson, said, “He was the greatest of all time. His influence on me growing up was bigger than any other sportsman. His goals were why I practised with my left foot and why I wanted to wear the number 10 jersey.”
Former Chelsea star Didier Drogba even said that meeting Diego was the best day of his life and his Football career. A big statement as Drogba did win the Champions League with the Blues.
I could go on with more quotes from many Football professionals and fans, but most Football lovers would say that Diego Maradona was a Football god who is also regarded as the greatest player of all time.
Diego, I never did get a chance to interview you. I think I would have done a bad job because I probably would have cried for most of the conversation because of the realization of meeting my long-life idol. You may have left us, but your presence will always be felt on the field. Thank you for giving us inspiration, entertainment, and joy. You gave us Football.
To all Football fans, next time you score a goal when playing Football with your friends, family or even a serious game, just shout like a South American Football TV Commentator and say, "Maradona goal! Goal! Geh, geh-geh-geh goal!”
Let his Football memories live forever.
Ben Ibrahim is a TV Commentator, Sports & Media Consultant. In his career, he has also worked for FIBA, FISU, MSN-KBS, and Foxsports.
He also set-up the Malaysia Valke Rugby Club for the Global Rapid Rugby competition.
You can contact him on his public Facebook page or his Instagram @benibrahim_
