Maradona comes full circle

Oct 30, 2008 - 2:39 PM BUENOS AIRES, Argentina (Ticker) -- Diego Maradona's appointment as coach of Argentina, which is set to be confirmed next Tuesday, is tantamount to the resurrection of a fallen idol.

Some would argue that 'El Pibo' (the kid) was the greatest footballer in the history of the game although Pele's exploits in helping Brazil win three World Cups while scoring 1,239 career goals probably trump that claim.

But his fall from grace began even while he still starred on the world's biggest stage, with his failed drugs test at the 1994 World Cup perhaps the nadir of a career that had touched its dizziest heights eight years earlier.

In 1986 in Mexico, Maradona was inspirational in the quarterfinal victory over England and semifinal win over Belgium, scoring two goals in each game.

In the final, his decisive pass released Jorge Burruchaga to seal a 3-2 win over West Germany as Argentina won the World Cup for the second time.

Of course, being Maradona, it was not entirely magical with his infamous handball for the first goal - something he attributed to "the hand of God".

However, English critics would do well to remember the rather brutish tactics they had used to try and subdue Maradona before his first goal.

The second goal was arguably the greatest ever, as Maradona left the likes of Peter Reid, Terry Fenwick, Glenn Hoddle and Steve Hodge trailing in his wake before rounding Peter Shilton and scoring.

Maradona's footballing life was the tale of five World Cups - although he played in only four. In 1978, as a 17-year-old, he was controversially omitted from the squad by Cesar Luis Menotti who was vindicated by the host nation's victory.

In 1982, Maradona was touted as the star of the tournament in Spain but, brutishly marked by the likes of Italy's Claudio Gentile, he only showed glimpses of his genius and finally lost his temper against arch-rivals Brazil, earning a red card.

His career defining year was 1986 with those magical Mexican performances but in 1990 he was jeered as he wept as Argentina lost arguably the worst final ever to West Germany in Italy.

In 1994, he looked lean and mean but the drugs test ended his World Cup career.

Admired everywhere - but not always loved - he is certainly adored in Argentina and Naples.

Although he started with Argentinos Juniors, it is Boca Juniors with whom his name will always be associated.

A big-money move to Barcelona was not an unqualified success and he received some more savage treatment, notably at the hands of Athletic Bilbao hardman Andoni Goicochea who broke his leg.

It was at Napoli that he found his stage and he remains adored for leading the well-supported club to two Scudetti, the only time a team from the poor south of the country has ever won the domestic crown.

"Ho visto Maradona, Ho visto Maradona, oh mamma, inammorato son," is still sung with great gusto by Neapolitans wherever their team plays.

The rather uninspiring words - "I've seen Maradona, I've seen Maradona - I am in love, mum" - may not be Shakespeare but when sung by 80,000 at the Stadio San Paolo it sends a shiver down the spine.

Maradona in retirement seemed lost - he flirted with Communism and was a known admirer of Cuban leader Fidel Castro.

He talked about being Argentina coach but with his life disintegrating it seemed a fanciful dream. His attempts to be a TV host met with mixed success. In the end all he seemed to do was to turn up at sporting occasions as a cheerleader when sufficiently lucid and healthy to do so.

Less than a decade after quitting the playing stage, he was a bloated, confused and bewildered figure as he was rushed in and out of hospital with alarming frequency, causing anxiety in Argentina with each clinic visit.

Maradona underwent gastric bypass surgery in March 2005 and was markedly slimmer in subsequent public appearances, but that was not the end of his health problems.

His alcohol abuse saw him admitted to hospital again, this time decisively, early in 2007.

As he battled to beat hepatitis and the effects of his alcoholism, he underwent treatment for his addiction and went on television to announce he would never drink again.

He has cut a visibly healthier figure since then.

Even so, his appointment as Argentina boss comes as a surprise.

His coaching experience amounts to half a year, having been in charge of Deportivo Mandiyu for two months in 1994 and Racing Club for four months in 1995.

With Argentina in woeful form, having won just one of their last seven World Cup qualifiers.

With the likes of Lionel Messi, Sergio Aguero and Carlos Tevez available to him, Maradona will potentially have a team as talented as the one he played in.

If he could lead them to success in South Africa in 2010, his status as an Argentina legend would be secured twice over.