Photo Gallery Maradona's Magic
Maradona was certainly not the logical choice as national coach. A brave decision perhaps, somewhat far-fetched, crazy even, but not logical. Here, the charismatic Maradona plays to the crowd in India in 2008.
He is 49 years old, a convicted former junkie who owes the Italian state more than 35 million in tax and has undergone several attempts at rehab. Just over a year before he was named national coach in October 2008, he was lounging in a psychiatric hospital because of his problems with alcohol. Here, the star striker in 1982.
But Argentina is a land of dreamers. And Diego Maradona is still the best proof Argentines have that miracles are possible. The belief that Maradona's magic will return simply because of his physical proximity to a soccer field is neither sensible nor logical. Yet it's the Argentine way. Above, Maradona in the 1982 World Cup.
Argentina last won the World Cup in Mexico in the summer of 1986. In the quarterfinal, Argentina beat England thanks to two goals from Maradona. His second was one of the best ever goals in World Cup history, in which Maradona dribbled five English defenders and goalkeeper Peter Shilton.
Maradona's first goal was the most controversial: The first goal of the match was a cross that Maradona scored with his hand, pictured. It became known as the "Hand of God" goal. For many Argentines this was sweet revenge for their bitter defeat at the hands of the British in the 1982 Falklands War. Since that game, Maradona has been on a pedestal alongside Che Guevara, Eva Peron and tango singer Carlos Gardel in the eyes of his countrymen.
One could also argue that it is not Argentina that needs Maradona, but the other way around: That Maradona needs Argentina. That he is not saving the country, but the country saving him. Here, Maradona after Argentina defeated West Germany in the 1986 World Cup final.
Maradona owes his legendary status not only to his good days and the countless games that were an expression of his passion for soccer. Maradona is loved because he embodies both victory and failure.
Maradona was addicted to cocaine even while he was still a professional player. He can't remember any of his daughters' birthday parties from when they where children. And yet he led his team to World Cup glory and became one of the greatest sportsmen of all time. Here, Mardona with his daughter Dalma following his farewell match in Buenos Aires in 2001.
Ironically, maybe, the person who holds the keys to Argentina's hopes at the World Cup in South Africa is not Maradona, but a small, shy man less than half his age. Lionel Messi, right, is the world's best player, and the man that could be either Maradona's savior or a thorn in his side.
But Messi isn't Mardona. Messi needs order and structure for his genius to unfold. Maradona only creates chaos. Here, Maradona cheers on Argentina during the 2006 World Cup in Germany.
Because of health problems, every week Maradona's longtime physician checks his blood pressure and asks what he's been eating.
Every two months, Maradona is given a complete head-to-toe health screen at the clinic.
Since his appointment as the national coach, Maradona has worn little else but the team's official tracksuit. He loves this tracksuit the way Fidel Castro used to love his uniform. Here, in 2001, Maradona shows Cuban President Fidel Castro a tattoo he got of Castro on his leg.
In 2000, Castro invited the severely overweight Maradona to Cuba for cocaine-addiction treatment after the footballer nearly died while on vacation in Uruguay. Here, Maradona smokes a cigar on his yacht off the coast of Havana.
Today, Maradona is all smiles. Argentina's first game is on June 12 against Nigeria.
