Lionel Messi resumed his preseason training at Barcelona's Ciutat
Esportiva gym yesterday and almost instantly drummed up comparisons to Maradona.
After examining his condition, Fernando Signorini, the Argentinean physiotherapist
who masterminded Diego Maradona's fitness plan at Mexico 86′ (which Argentina
won, of course) declared that Messi has yet to reach his peak as a
player.
There is little doubt that both Ronaldo and Messi have been the best two footballers on the
planet the last five years. So, why do many followers of the beautiful game, especially those over
the age of 30, myself included, bristle at the "he may be the greatest ever player" comments
periodically laid, particularly at Messi's feet?
It is perhaps one of the most intriguing stories of a World Cup with many intriguing
stories. Steered by the unsteady hand of Diego Maradonna, Argentina qualified for the finals by the
skin of their teeth but boast some world class players that make them genuine contenders in South
Africa this summer.
Lionel Messi will celebrate his 23rd birthday during the World Cup, a reminder of how young the
Argentinean is to be an established world star. The 2009 FIFA World Player of the Year will be one
of the major attractions at this summer's finals, as it seems inconceivable that Messi will miss
out as he did in 2006.
Que es esto? Hay gente que dice que el exito de papa Maradona en el mundial '86 no era por su gran
talento o por los jales que se daba antes de los partidos, no señor! El exito siempre era debido a
su cabellera y ahora quieren que Messi se haga la permanente para que le traiga los mismos poderes
misticos que una vez ayudaron a Maradona volar en Mexico '86.
The last week or so has said a lot about England, the state of the country, its sporting culture
and the team that is supposed to represent it on the stage of international football. Apathy levels
with the national team, however, are growing to the point at which it may become pertinent to ask
the question of what the England national football team is actually for.
The last week or so has said a lot about England, the state of the country, its sporting culture
and the team that is supposed to represent it on the stage of international football. Apathy levels
with the national team, however, are growing to the point at which it may become pertinent to ask
the question of what the England national football team is actually for.
Denmark's Morten Olsen in action against Scotland at the 1986 World Cup in Mexico
IN amongst the angst I felt re: Bryan Robson's shoulder and Ray Wilkins' general shiteness
during the early stages of Mexico '86 was the revelation that was Denmark.
Morocco will host both the 2013 and 2014 FIFA Club World Cups.
Iran, South Africa and the U.A.E. all withdrew their bids, leaving FIFA to bring the competition to
Africa for the first time. The hosting is set to be rubber-stamped in Zurich in December.
The North African nation has a strong soccer tradition, and the national team memorably became the
first African nation to win a group in the World Cup Finals, topping England, Portugal and Poland
at Mexico '86, before losing to a late Lothar Matthaus goal from eventual finalists West Germany in
the next round.
Argentina yesterday Hammered World Champions Spain 4-1 in Buenoa Aires. This result has of
course raised questions on whether the country's football legend Diego Maradona was the right man
to coach the national team.
Winning their first game under caretaker coach Sergio Batista resoundingly does question the
tactics used by former coach Diego Maradona.
As the big game draws ever nearer we talk to former Nottingham Forest, Tottenham and Leeds
United midfielder Steve Hodge about 1986, Brian Clough and his best ever XI.
So what have you been doing since you hung up your playing boots and what did it feel
like when that chapter in your life was over?
Whether it is the fear of losing, lack of fitness or early tournament nerves England have
consistently struggled to grab all three points in their recent opening matches at International
tournaments.
The predictions for the England squad are varied when you compare football opinion, but one is for
certain and that's a quick look at the history books shows that since 1986 The Three Lions have
only won their opener on two occasions – against Paraguay in 2006 and Tunisia in 1998.
Whether it is the fear of losing, lack of fitness or early tournament nerves England have
consistently struggled to grab all three points in their recent opening matches at International
tournaments.
In fact, a quick look at the history books shows that since 1986 The Three Lions have only won
their opener on two occasions – against Paraguay in 2006 and Tunisia in 1998.
Mexico 1986 – The World Cup's greatest goal ever, the death of Golden Wonder Crisps and Paul
Weller's biggest fan. Mexico '86 will be remembered for many things and by many people, but not
Peter Reid. As Maradona was scoring the greatest goal of all time, old monkey head clearly had his
mind on other [.
Argentinians know that Brazil took 24 years to win their first post-Pele World Cup, and
precisely after their own World Cup triumph in Mexico 86', they feel that their time has come
again.
The parallels are striking. Maradona is still with the team, albeit in the dugout, and it's very
likely he will run onto the pitch during the tournament!
With the World Cup less than 2 months away, we have decided to start the build up early doors
with an A to Z list of our favourite players who set the World Cup alight. Some are recent stars,
some are relics from the days of black and white TV but all were mustard. The thing is, each week
we will be using just stars whose surname was that week's letter, eg: this week it is letter D
which gives us loads of Frenchies & oldies.
With three electric performances and eight goals against Valencia, Stuttgart and Real Zaragoza,
debate is rife in Spain about whether Lionel Messi is the greatest footballer
ever? He's certainly the best I've ever witnessed, but Diego Maradona, Pele and
Johann Cruyff were before my time.
Struggling a bit this week trying to drop some E's into the mix, oioi!! So only got a couple but
feel free to add some. To make up for the lack of players, I've put some goal action in here for
you, and not may come better than Brazilian Eders efforts at 82. Éder Aleixo de Assis was a star
of the brilliant Brazil team that missed out in Spain despite it being one of the finest collection
of players ever assembled.
For some reason, it feels like Denmark has been one of the world's best footballing teams since the
dawn of time. The truth of the matter is they've only ever reached three World Cups (two of them
being as recent as 1998 and 2002) while their first (in 1986) was where they finally achieved any
real prominence on the global stage.
Estos dias muchos niños que estan aspirando a ser futbolistas no saben mucho sobre la historia del
futbol y no hablo de los años '50, me refiero a la historia reciente como los '80s y '90s. Gracias
a Dios que tenemos a alguien como Carlitos Tevez, que tomo su tiempo durante el partido
entre Manchester United y Manchester City para demostrar a los niños del mundo lo
que se sintio ser un Ingles durante el Mundial de Mexico '86 cuando Maradona, con su
mano, destrozo su sueño de ganar su primer Mundial en 20 años.
DecÃa manolo el otro dÃa que sabe quien habÃa declarado que el futbol femenino ni era futbol
ni era femenino, tenÃa toda la razón adentro.
Aguas chamacas! porque parece que el coreano rivera ya reencarno, nomas que en mujer pero sigue
aplicando su arte por las canchas de estados unidos.
No es nada nuevo para nosotros escuchar que perdimos en tanda de penales.
Tampoco es relevante que en las competiciones más importantes se haya perdido bajo esa
instancia.
La incapacidad mental de los jugadores mexicanos para guardar la calma en un momento tan crucial
nos ha costado mucho.
If you're a ground-hopping-obsessive-compulsive-disorder type football fan then you might just be interested in taking in five games over two days in beautiful Nottinghamshire.
Is it possible to stop watching the Premier League? James Longhurst investigates.
The 2-1 comeback win for Denmark against Belarus in Aarhus underlinedthe
importance of the host nationprogressing in a tournament.
While it might be too big a leap of faith to credit DanishFootball
Association chief Allan Hansen's claim that the UEFA U21 tournament "has caught the imagination of
theDanish public," - too many of them were enjoying the
Pentecost weekend holiday to watch their Under-21s lose to Switzerland - the Denmark v Belarus
clash was an 18,000 sell-out, double the crowd of any other game so far.
It was 1986. Mum and Dad bought a video recorder, which enabled us to watch Mexican time
football after school in England. One of my first memories was waking up and finding a note on
my pillow: "England won. Gary Lineker scored a hat-trick" and if that doesn't set you up for
the day when you're ten years old, nothing will.
With just one week to go to the big day, we've got something to tax your brain cells over the
festive season in the shape of SPAOTP's Big Advent Calendar Crossword!
All you need do is click on the grid below to expand it to it's full size, print it out, then fill
it in with the answers that fit the clues we'll be giving you below - just like any normal
crossword.
What is Sepp Blatter's damage? Thierry Henry's handball slowly churns past the media news cycle,
we're all delighted by a weekend of derbies and El Clasico's and the world seems right again. And
then we get news that Blatter thinks it wasn't Henry's "responsibility to tell the referee [Martin
Hansson]" about the handball, less than twenty four hours before telling the world, "there is a
lack of discipline and respect in the game by the players because they are cheating.
The Desert Foxes (not making this up either) beat Egypt 1-0
with a first half goal from Anthar Yahia of Germany's VfL Bochum. Last appeared in
the finals in Mexico 86, where they drew with Northern Ireland but lost to
Spain and Brazil.
The World Cup Final, 1966: England's Geoff Hurst strikes the ball off the underside of the bar.
As fast as a bullet, it lands over the line if you are English, and on the line
if you are German. The referee looks to the linesman. The linesman looks to the Queen of England
sitting in the stands.
