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[Blwe_torch]

Maradona hits out at Pele and Platini
Jun 16, 2010, 06.17pm IST

PRETORIA: Argentina coach Diego Maradona hit out at Brazilian legend Pele and UEFA president Michel Platini as the war of words between the former playing greats continued on Wednesday.

Maradona was speaking to the press at the Loftus Versfeld stadium here on the eve of the South Americans' second World Cup Group B match against South Korea in Johannesburg on Thursday.

But it was Pele and Platini rather than the likes of Park Ji-Sung who seem to be concerning Maradona more.

A couple of days ago Pele was quoted in the Brazilian press as suggesting that Argentina's appointment of Maradona was a mistake and that the former superstar only took the job because he needed the money.

"I'm not surprised, Pele should go back to the museum," was Maradona's retort before he also took a pop at former France star Platini, who a few months ago had insinuated that Maradona was a great player but not a great coach.

"As for Platini, I'm not surprised because I always had a distant relationship with him, we would just say hi and goodbye.

"But we know what the French are like and Platini is French, he believes he's better than the rest of us."

Maradona was asked about the lack of goals and excitement in this World Cup and once again he turned on both Pele and Platini, as well as the official Jabulani ball.

"Well personally I'm having a wonderful time, the World Cup is something amazing and I'm not worried about the fact that there have been few goals," he said.

"I'm sure we'll have goals, the players will see to that. Of course in the first matches you're more careful perhaps than you should be.

"Teams study and analyse each other, that's why there are fewer goals.

"Another issue is the ball, although I don't want to go into that because everyone is talking about it.

"But it's important and it does play a part and I'd ask Pele and Platini to go and play with it and take a look at the ball and stop talking about me."

Looking forward to Thursday's match, Maradona brushed aside the threat posed by the Koreans, despite their 2-0 win over Greece in their opener.

"With all due respect, you don't have a (Lionel) Messi," he said in response to a Korean journalist's question about who the Asian's equivalent player would be.

"South Korea are based on a very strong collective block, they're very fast, they're an excellent team and should be respected, but we are going to win the match."

Maradona did reveal, though, that he is worried about the physical challenge the Koreans may bring to the match, a slightly ironic concern for a coach whose first choice centre-back pairing are the muscular duo Walter Samuel and Nicolas Burdisso.

"The referees have a lot to answer for if you want to see a match where the stars won't be hampered," said Maradona, who voiced similar concerns before the opening match against Nigeria.

"If Korea do something to Messi or (Carlos) Tevez they'll have to get a yellow card and the second time they'll be off.

"We came here to see wonderful football and those who don't want to see that can go home.

"We're here to see the likes of Messi and Kaka and that's great, we don't want the spectacle to be affected.

"Referees have to be strict, they have to pull out the yellow card, we've got to be careful with this.

"We don't want it to be too rough, you don't want to risk your life. You have to play a fair match, we don't want to break any legs."

Maradona also revealed that he has left out veteran midfielder Juan Sebastien Veron in favour of Maxi Rodriguez for the match as he doesn't want Veron to aggravate a calf injury he is carrying.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/wcarticleshow/6055106.cms

[Blwe_torch]

I remain an eternal fan of Platini

[vincent]

Maradona may be a God in his home country (where they have a sect worshipping him and even a "church" dedicated to him), but he is a nobody compared to Pele. And Platini was a great gentleman player who took his country to the semifinals twice just to lose by some bad luck to Germany.

[dextrous]

Maradona may be a God in his home country (where they have a sect worshipping him and even a "church" dedicated to him), but he is a nobody compared to Pele. And Platini was a great gentleman player who took his country to the semifinals twice just to lose by some bad luck to Germany.

Please, Maradona is no less than either gentlemen. He's equally a God in India.

[vincent]

Maradona may be a God in his home country (where they have a sect worshipping him and even a "church" dedicated to him), but he is a nobody compared to Pele. And Platini was a great gentleman player who took his country to the semifinals twice just to lose by some bad luck to Germany.

Please, Maradona is no less than either gentlemen. He's equally a God in India.

Well, he may be a God in India too where we have so many gods. But even in India, a Sachin Tendulkar does not have a temple dedicated to him with thousands of worshippers everyday. I prefer human sportsmen for being what they are and what they do and not for being gods.

[Cernunnos]

Maradona may be a God in his home country (where they have a sect worshipping him and even a "church" dedicated to him), but he is a nobody compared to Pele. And Platini was a great gentleman player who took his country to the semifinals twice just to lose by some bad luck to Germany.

Please, Maradona is no less than either gentlemen. He's equally a God in India.

Well, he may be a God in India too where we have so many gods. But even in India, a Sachin Tendulkar does not have a temple dedicated to him with thousands of worshippers everyday. I prefer human sportsmen for being what they are and what they do and not for being gods.

What prompted Pele to attack Maradona in a manner reminiscent of GC (a la "his finances are important to him") ? In this case, I support Maradona, unless the facts prove me otherwise.

 

[WicketView]

Maradona may be a God in his home country (where they have a sect worshipping him and even a "church" dedicated to him), but he is a nobody compared to Pele.

There is a reason why there is a controversy about whether Pele or Maradona is the greatest player of all times ... their achievements are comparably great. Different people may feel that one is greater than the other, but calling either of them a "nobody" is very strange.

And neither of them have distinguished themselves in their conversations.

And Platini was a great gentleman player who took his country to the semifinals twice just to lose by some bad luck to Germany.

[dextrous]

Maradona may be a God in his home country (where they have a sect worshipping him and even a "church" dedicated to him), but he is a nobody compared to Pele.

There is a reason why there is a controversy about whether Pele or Maradona is the greatest player of all times ... their achievements are comparably great. Different people may feel that one is greater than the other, but calling either of them a "nobody" is very strange.

And neither of them have distinguished themselves in their conversations.

And Platini was a great gentleman player who took his country to the semifinals twice just to lose by some bad luck to Germany.

Yes...exactly, Pele's mouth isn't exactly *hian!

[feverpitch]

In terms of pure technique, as well as leadership and creativity, IMO El Diego is peerless. That coming from someone who was a Maradona hater during his playing days.
No player has had a bigger impact on a team and a tournament than the pocket dynamo. Even Pele was a bystander in 1962 and 66. In 58, he was the 'impact' substitute in a side marshalled by the great Didi and Vava. In 70, he was the senior statesman whose greatest contribution was the opening goal in the final against Italy. The attack was carried on the shoulders of Jairzinho and Rivelinho, with Tostao and Gerson pulling strings from midfield.
In comparison, the only time Maradona had a semblance of a 'team' around him was in 94 (with Canniggia, Ortega, Simeone and Batigol), when he was past his prime and a doper.
The only other possible comparison is with Garrincha in 62, Cryuff in 74, and Eusebio in 66 -- of whom, only Garrincha ended on the winning side.

[feverpitch]

Let's not forget Platini's 84 Euro success, when he scored 9 in 5 games (out of 10 by France) including 5 freekicks where he built his monster reputation.

[dextrous]

In terms of pure technique, as well as leadership and creativity, IMO El Diego is peerless. That coming from someone who was a Maradona hater during his playing days.
No player has had a bigger impact on a team and a tournament than the pocket dynamo. Even Pele was a bystander in 1962 and 66. In 58, he was the 'impact' substitute in a side marshalled by the great Didi and Vava. In 70, he was the senior statesman whose greatest contribution was the opening goal in the final against Italy. The attack was carried on the shoulders of Jairzinho and Rivelinho, with Tostao and Gerson pulling strings from midfield.
In comparison, the only time Maradona had a semblance of a 'team' around him was in 94 (with Canniggia, Ortega, Simeone and Batigol), when he was past his prime and a doper.
The only other possible comparison is with Garrincha in 62, Cryuff in 74, and Eusebio in 66 -- of whom, only Garrincha ended on the winning side.

Well, the drug he took wouldn't have made much of a difference on his performance. However, even in 94, you could see glimpses of brilliance in the way he was setting up some plays...that pass to Cannigia was memorable...was that against Greece...hmm

[Blwe_torch]

Let's not forget Platini's 84 Euro success, when he scored 9 in 5 games (out of 10 by France) including 5 freekicks where he built his monster reputation.

Platini was magic on the field.


I once saw Maradona ( playing for Napoli) desperately marking Platini ( playing for Juve)

[Blwe_torch]

Maradona has apologized to Platini....but not to Pele( as per NDTV report)