Maradona hits back at Pele and Platini

[BAK]

Maradona hits back at Pele and Platini

Argentine coach tells world's greatest player to go 'back to the museum'

Last Updated: Wednesday, June 16, 2010 | 12:53 PM

The Associated Press

Maradona, left, has struck back at Pele, right, after the Brazilian criticized the performance of the Argentine coach. (Getty Images)

Diego Maradona made stinging comments about fellow football greats Pele and Michel Platini on Wednesday after the pair criticized Maradona's performance as Argentina coach.

Asked about the criticism from two others considered among the greatest players of all time, Maradona said he was not surprised by their comments.
"Pele has to go back to the museum," Maradona said.

"Regarding Platini, I always had a very distant relationship with him - hello and goodbye. We know how the French are and Platini is French and he thinks of himself as being more than the rest of the world. I've never paid him any attention and I won't do it now."

Earlier, Maradona had criticized Pele for doubting Africa's ability to organize a World Cup.
Asked about Brazil, Maradona said that Argentina's fierce South American rival had not been tested by North Korea in the 2-1 win on Tuesday.

"Brazil played a relaxed game, too relaxed," Maradona said. "Korea never challenged them. For [goalkeeper] Julio Cesar, it would have been the same to shower or not after the game.

"Brazil is Brazil ... and Dunga has done a good job. When more will be demanded of them, they will play better for sure."
Maradona said that the general lack of scoring so far at the World Cup could be blamed partly on the teams' initial caution.

"The World Cup is something incredible and I'm not worried about the lack of goals. The goals will come and there are players here to make that happen," Maradona said. "Of course, in the first matches one is more careful than maybe one should be.

"The teams are studying their opponents, which is why there are fewer goals."

Maradona also assigned some of the blame to the much-maligned 2010 World Cup ball, saying the Jabulani was having "a large influence" on the low scores. He also asked the sport's authorities to pay more attention to the quality of the ball.

 

[Albedo]

Maradona madness
The Power of Diego

June 17, 2010

• Email
• Print

By Andrew Warshaw, South Africa
(Archive)
The power of Diego. There may be empty seats around most World Cup venues but if you want to know the one oversubscribed must-see daily event, look no further than one of Diego Maradona's press conferences.

GettyImagesDiego Maradona conjured up some gems to please the patient reporters


The pushing, shoving, shouting and jostling that took place when Maradona held court for the final time before Argentina's second game of the tournament was a rare insight into the kind of interest generated by the bearded wonder.Reporters and stewards almost came to blows as all 200 seats for Diego were taken up an hour beforehand. Even though it was supposed to be open to all accredited journalists, scores of scribes were turned away at the door, with Argentinians in particular crying foul at being excluded. And this, not at some small makeshift arena, but at Pretoria's Loftus Versfeld stadium.
Inside Maradona was, as usual, controversy personified, a journalist's dream. Take this gem, for instance, about South Korea's plans to try to stop Lionel Messi from playing: "If people don't agree with playing football they should go home."
And this retort to Pele after the Brazilian legend suggested Maradona only took the national job because he was out of pocket: "He should go back to the museum and stay there."
And what about this latest attack on Uefa president Michel Platini: "He's French and we all know how French people are. If they say 'hi' and 'goodbye' that's something."
Although everyone loves Messi, to suggest, as Maradona did, that no other player can even come close to his heir apparent - and he reeled out a series of names - was some public statement to make as well.
Maradona, you see, simply doesn't do clichés and platitudes. The Koreans, he says, will have to be watched carefully. "They are quick as lightning and strong at set pieces. When we played against Nigeria it was like hitting a wall. This time we are the ones who will do the same to the Koreans."

GettyImagesLionel Messi is Maradona's undisputed heir in the coach's eyes


Naturally, much of the talk was about the mercurial Messi who, at last, put on a performance at national level against the Nigerians to match his regular displays for Barcelona. "He needed a game like this to show his leadership and charisma. He has not been able to do it very often with us. Once Messi got going on Saturday, the match died."
Just to make sure he cannot be accused of favouritism, Maradona didn't only single out Messi for praise. Carlos Tevez, he said, was essential to the team. "It's a privilege to have a player like this. He can play in any position, even fullback, goalie." Since their opening against Nigeria, says Maradona, all nerves have been shed for the next hurdle. "The players are in the zone. Everyone has a lot of confidence and we'll win this next game."
But which team will he put out against the Koreans? "Don't rule anything out," was Maradona's typical reply. "In training the reserve players have have been at the same level as the first eleven. Anything is possible."

 

[Ab-Titchaz]

Maradona hits back at Pele and Platini

Argentine coach tells world's greatest player to go 'back to the museum'

Last Updated: Wednesday, June 16, 2010 | 12:53 PM

The Associated Press

Maradona, left, has struck back at Pele, right, after the Brazilian criticized the performance of the Argentine coach. (Getty Images)

Diego Maradona made stinging comments about fellow football greats Pele and Michel Platini on Wednesday after the pair criticized Maradona's performance as Argentina coach.

Asked about the criticism from two others considered among the greatest players of all time, Maradona said he was not surprised by their comments.
"Pele has to go back to the museum," Maradona said.

"Regarding Platini, I always had a very distant relationship with him - hello and goodbye. We know how the French are and Platini is French and he thinks of himself as being more than the rest of the world. I've never paid him any attention and I won't do it now."

Earlier, Maradona had criticized Pele for doubting Africa's ability to organize a World Cup.
Asked about Brazil, Maradona said that Argentina's fierce South American rival had not been tested by North Korea in the 2-1 win on Tuesday.

"Brazil played a relaxed game, too relaxed," Maradona said. "Korea never challenged them. For [goalkeeper] Julio Cesar, it would have been the same to shower or not after the game.

"Brazil is Brazil ... and Dunga has done a good job. When more will be demanded of them, they will play better for sure."
Maradona said that the general lack of scoring so far at the World Cup could be blamed partly on the teams' initial caution.

"The World Cup is something incredible and I'm not worried about the lack of goals. The goals will come and there are players here to make that happen," Maradona said. "Of course, in the first matches one is more careful than maybe one should be.

"The teams are studying their opponents, which is why there are fewer goals."

Maradona also assigned some of the blame to the much-maligned 2010 World Cup ball, saying the Jabulani was having "a large influence" on the low scores. He also asked the sport's authorities to pay more attention to the quality of the ball.

Shughuli ipo hapa maana fahali wawili hawakai zizi moja. Let the game speak for itself.