Maradona enters Olympus… (Last tango)
June 1986 was the best month a footballer has ever had. As happened in 1958 with Pelé, it happened in 1986 with Maradona
A character devoured the World Cup, overshadowed it and was its symbol. Then it would be repeated with Messi in 2022. No player wins just one World Cup, however, Diego left that feeling in Mexico ’86.
Argentina had miraculously qualified by drawing with Peru 2-2
He was so dazzling and unbalanced, he was so far above his teammates and the rest of his colleagues that that tournament was like Maradona’s World Cup. He appeared in the key moments of each instance, he scored unforgettable goals, he was unstoppable, brave, brilliant, timely, decisive. This led him to dispute the scepter of the one in history. César Luis Menotti He left him out of the ’78 World Cup as the best Argentine soccer player, which 48 years later is still inconceivable; In Spain-82, the gentrification of the team that came with the title of champion did not accompany it properly.
But in 1986 the planets came together for him and the world was his red carpet. He was splendid physically, mentally and football-wise. Never has a World Cup been so identified with a protagonist. Mexico-86 became Maradona-86.
‘Mexico 86. This is how we won the cup: My World Cup, my truth’ (2016). Photo:Editorial Debate
In addition to Diego, this edition is linked to two events: one, the resignation of Colombia – in 1982 – to organize it, when it had been awarded the venue; the other, the earthquake that shook Mexico on September 19, 1985, nine months before the World Cup, which raised fears for its realization.
In 1974, Fifa had awarded Colombia the headquarters of the mega-event, but on October 25, 1982, to general astonishment, the president Belisario Betancur, In a televised message, he announced that Colombia would not carry out the mission.
“As we preserve the public good and waste is unforgivable, I announce to my compatriots that the 1986 World Cup will not be held in Colombia,” declared Betancur.
And he added: “After democratic consultation on our real needs, the golden rule was not met: that the World Cup should serve Colombia and not Colombia the multinational World Cup. We have many other things to do and there is not even time to attend to the extravagances of Fifa and its partners.” The well-known “it is better to build schools and hospitals.”
Diego Maradona Photo:EL TIEMPO Archive
Everyone played for Diego, who was well surrounded and made the difference
Of course, neither schools nor hospitals were built. Strictly speaking, in eight years Colombia had not made any progress in the works. It is also true that Fifa’s demands were excessive. Among many others, it demanded 12 large stadiums. Colombia did not even qualify for the ’86 World Cup.
‘Mexico 86. This is how we won the cup: My World Cup, my truth’ (2016). Photo:Editorial Debate
Once García Márquez’s country renounced, Mexico caught him, with the net always ready. He immediately offered to replace him. And seven months later Fifa accepted it. But in 1985, with the World Cup upon us, the earthquake in Mexico occurred, very serious, with a magnitude of 8.1, which caused between 10,000 and 20,000 deaths (there is no exact figure). More than 250,000 people lost their homes, hundreds of buildings, hospitals, schools, offices collapsed and there was economic damage of between 8,000 and 10,000 million dollars. Where it had the most impact was in the country’s capital.
However, like Chile, which before its ’62 World Cup suffered the worst earthquake of all time, Mexico reaffirmed its will to carry out the tournament. And it was an organizational success. Once again the leader’s mettle and leadership were there Guillermo Cañedo.
There were no regulatory changes, but an important innovation: the two matches on the last day of each group had to be played simultaneously to avoid manipulation of results.
Diego Armando Maradona Photo:EFE
It was as a result of the famous “Gijón Pact” of 1982, when Germany and Austria arranged for the former to win 1-0 to eliminate Algeria and both qualify. Paul Breitner, years later, described that match as “shameful.” Before this, those playing last already knew what result they needed.
Another novelty, the form of dispute: From this tournament it was decided that, after the group stage, it would be played by a cup system, that is, by direct elimination. And an instance was added: round of 16. It would never be altered again.
Argentina had miraculously qualified by drawing with Peru 2 to 2. His game, previously, was so tasteless and inefficient that the Secretary of Sports of the Nation himself, Rodolfo O’Reilly, asked Julio Grondona to dismiss Carlos Bilardo. There was fear of a mistake.
Diego Maradona and César Luis Menotti Photo:AFP
The head of the AFA remained firm with the coach. To isolate her from criticism and finish meshing, Bilardo brought her team to Mexico a month before the inauguration. It worked for him. They began their journey by beating South Korea. The Koreans beat Maradona wildly, but the Spanish judge Sánchez Arminio only admonished two Asians. 40 years ago the regulations and the referees were very permissive. The lost minutes were not added either. In the final, Romualdo Arppi Filho did not add a single second in either half.
Argentina had to face four world champions: Italy, Uruguay, England and Germany, historical record. He tied with the first and beat the next three. He finished undefeated, he was the one who won the most, the one with the most goals scored and the fewest conceded. Unquestionable champion.
To the detriment of Passarella (he wore the ribbon in the two previous World Cups), Bilardo anointed Maradona captain, gave him plenipotentiary powers and the 10 responded extraordinarily to him. Everyone played for Diego, who was well surrounded and made the difference. Curiously, the championship match – and one of the most emblematic of the World Cups – was not the final but the quarterfinal, Argentina 2 – England 1, due to the rivalry between both, in many aspects, and because four years earlier they had faced each other in the Falklands War, settled in favor of the United Kingdom.
Diego Maradona celebrates the world title in 1986 Photo:Efe
Without being, it had the aroma of revenge. Maradona scored two of the most famous goals in this sport: the first, called “the Hand of God”, when he scored with a fist and made it 1-0 (there was no VAR before), and the second, called “the goal of the Century”, when he scored after eluding six English players in a legendary run. He dribbled a town in 60 meters and 10 seconds.
The final, which should have been played in El Campín in Bogotá, then went to Aztecathe giant of the DF that covered the glory of Maradona with 114,600 spectators in its laps. And, according to Fifa, with 2,000 million watching it on TV. Argentina’s 3-2 victory over Germany was a true reflection of the former’s superiority. Led by Beckenbauer, Germany was an opaque expression. Of his seven games he only won three.
Pumpido; Cuciuffo, Brown, Ruggeri and Olarticoechea; Giusti, Batista, Enrique and Burruchaga; Maradona and Valdano. It was the champion’s base team. Without a 9 and practically without anyone up front, because Valdano retreated almost to midfield. But with a very robust middle band, in which it prevailed over its rivals.
Behind one of the arches waved an immense white and light blue flag with the legend “Perdón Bilardo”, which became famous. As happened with Enzo Bearzot in 1982, the Argentine press had been caustic with the coach until he arrived in Mexico.
What can you say? The ball and jersey have been auctioned for around $12 million. Photo:Extracted from the Getty Images Archive, selection by Paul Prowse.
The criticism was justified: Argentina was horrible. But it was reaching the World Cup, win the opening match against South Korea and right the ship. There the team interpreted Bilardo’s idea, consolidated its game, became compact at the back and was very strong in the head. Maradona took care of the rest. It usually happens with big teams, they correct course quickly.
It was not a brilliant moment in world football, Maradona gave it light.
Jorge Barraza
For TIME
@JorgeBarraza OK
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