Our first World Cup without Maradona

Our first World Cup without Maradona

 

The first World Cup match I ever saw was Argentina vs Greece in the group stage of the 1994 USA World Cup. I watched the match more than I love Argentina, I love Maradona a thousand times more.

 

At that time, like the whole world, our village was also affected by Maradona mania. Hundreds of people gathered to watch Maradona in that match on the high school's broken 14-inch black-and-white TV. I didn't understand anything about football, I used to shout only when I saw Maradona.

 

Argentina won that match 4-0. Maradona scored 1 goal and Batigole (Batistuta) scored a hat trick. Incidentally, it was Batistuta's first World Cup. Batistuta-Maradona had a chance to emerge as a great duo.

 

It should be noted here that Argentina played the 1994 World Cup qualifiers play-off with Australia. Argentina without Maradona could not qualify directly. Bringing back Maradona, Batistuta's final pass against Australia in the play-offs was the best number-10 of all time.

 

The next match was against Nigeria. Although Maradona did not score a goal in that match, he played a physical role with Nigeria. Argentina won 2-1. Hero Canizia of 90 scored both goals. Batistuta in front, Canizia behind. Maradona is the best playmaker of all time. It is doubtful whether anyone had a more formidable attacking lineup in the '94 World Cup.

Ever since that match, the 'Emperor of Football' took over my mind. The next match was against Bulgaria. The game was at night. As a result, school games are stopped at night. We haven't met either. In the morning I went to watch the highlights, went and heard that Argentina lost and Maradona was sent off.

 

I also cried for Maradona that day after seeing the Sinion brothers cry. Since then, Maradona became my dream hero. From then on, I read everything I could find about Maradona. I used to buy Pakshik Kriralok (sports magazine) and read everything that was written about Maradona. The more I read, the more fascinated I was.

 

I used to wonder how a man can get a place in the hearts of football lovers all over the world. Maradona was a great hero. The world's greatest and most popular sportsperson of all time.