It was an overwhelming moment for a man who has probably experienced more euphoric highs and desperate lows than any other sports star.
DIEGO MARADONA is beginning a new chapter in his life - coaching the Argentinian national team in a land where soccer is a religion and he’s worshipped.
“I’m coming into a beautiful dream,” he said emotionally. “I can’t ask for any more. This is the best moment in my life.”
Argentina Football Association’s decision to appoint Maradona to the top job marks an astonishing comeback for a controversial character who was at death’s door four years ago.
He spent 10 days in intensive care after what was thought to have been a cocaine-induced heart attack. He has also spent time in hospital for liver problems related to alcoholism and gastric bypass surgery for obesity.
These days he’s a trim 78 kg and as he celebrated his 48th birthday on 30 October with the confirmation of his post as national coach he looked forward to his next big adventure - a friendly against Scotland on 19 November.
Salvatore Bagni, a friend and former teammate at Italian club Napoli, says, “His goal now is to win the 2010 World Cup.”
It’s a tough challenge considering they have to win their next three games to qualify - after winning just one in seven until now.
Maradona’s appointment came two weeks after Alfio Basile resigned as national coach after a World Cup qualifying defeat to Chile.
Now the man who inspired his country’s World Cup win in 1986 believes he can inspire a dramatic turnaround in his country’s footballing fortunes.
Predictably rivals Brazil have sneered at the appointment. Tostao, the legendary striker in the 1970 World Cup said, “A coach has to be balanced and organised. Only Argentina, country of the tango, could have a coach driven by passion.”
His appointment drew mixed reaction in Argentina too. Polls in two national newspapers put disapproval at more than 70 per cent.
But along with the unease of the nation comes huge expectation of what one of the sport’s greatest figures can achieve.
In South America Maradona is worshipped for more than his football talent. He is bigger than the legendary Pele, far bigger than Britain’s George Best and David Beckham or in fact any other player born in the West.
The real test is whether his fanatical followers will forgive him if Argentina fails to make the World Cup cut.
