14 THURSDAY, JUNE 28, 2018 features The Maradona drama Whenever the World Cup comes around, Messi is encircled by Maradona’s shadow

AFP | Saint Petersburg, Russia

hen Lionel Messi ran to the corner and sank to his knees, Wthe enduring image of Argentina scrambling into the World Cup’s Portugal and last 16 was set. We knew God was Argentina on Their number 10, in the blue with us and wasn’t and white stripes, his head tilted the same side of and fingers vertical, about to going to let us go the WC bracket. be swamped moments later by out Get ready for adoring team-mates. LIONEL MESSI BELIEVES HIGHER senseless, idiotic, But all those cameras not po- POWERS WERE AT WORK IN sitioned in Messi’s corner of the ARGENTINA’S DRAMATIC WIN OVER infuriating, NIGERIA tiresome, Saint Petersburg Stadium quick- boorish, WTH ly turned their gaze upwards and slightly to the right. Ronaldo-Messi Diego Maradona, with his comparisons... arms grappling his own chest, beam me up now was grimacing towards the sky, please Scotty a crazed look in his eyes of ec- stasy, relief and delirium. SHAKA HISLOP, WHO PLAYED FOR TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO AT THE This was the duopoly of Ar- 2006 WORLD CUP, ISN’T OVERLY- gentina’s 2-1 win over Nigeria ENAMOURED BY THE PROSPECT on Tuesday. Messi OF MESSI AND ARGENTINA FACING CRISTIANO RONALDO’S PORTUGAL IN Not Messi and Marcos Rojo, becomes the first THE QUARTER-FINALS the scorer of the winning goal in player to have the 86th minute, nor even Messi scored a World Cup and Jorge Sampaoli, the team’s goal as a teenager, estranged coach. in his twenties and But Messi and Maradona. On the pitch, off the pitch, present in his thirties and past. One trying to win the FORMER ENGLAND STRIKER GARY trophy that has eluded him in an LINEKER ON TWITTER otherwise extraordinary career, the other watching on, having had his own story defined by it. For me he’s a diver Inspiration or distraction? FORMER ENGLAND COACH FABIO There is no telling how the hys- CAPELLO ISN’T A FAN OF BRAZIL teria that surrounds Maradona STAR NEYMAR’S ON-FIELD really affects the team, whether HISTRIONICS his increasingly deranged pres- ence is a force for inspiration, sympathy or discomfort. But as Argentina rallied to es- cape Group D, one of the game’s most magical players, perhaps The pack needs its greatest ever icon, was in Retired Argentina forward Diego Maradona (top) reacts before the Russia 2018 World Cup Group D football match the wolf and the the stands, only prevented from between Nigeria and Argentina at the Saint Petersburg Stadium in Saint Petersburg wolf needs the toppling over by two of his en- pack. And a set tourage next to him. wondering though if Marado- onel Messi,” Ramos said. He sat slumped in his seat, na’s histrionics are detrimental Between Messi and Marado- of wolves is not a seemingly dozing off, and then to the team, and Messi, as well na themselves, there has been pack... what’s the We have got a lot of later upright, frazzled with as himself. nothing but reverence. difference between compliments, but nerves, his hands clawing his Messi has described Mara- an individual and a with compliments face. KNOW WHAT Constant comparisons dona as his “inspiration” while group? you don’t win When Rojo’s volley hit the net, Whenever the World Cup only this week Maradona direct- the performance was completed comes around, Messi is encir- ed a personal message to Messi, BRAZIL COACH TITE UNPACKS A games BIZARRE METAPHOR ABOUT TEAM by two raised middle fingers cled by Maradona’s shadow. saying: “Nothing is your fault. DYNAMICS, OR SOMETHING AUSTRALIA COACH BERT VAN and a shouted obscene insult, Argentina’s Thirty-two years after one I love you and I respect you as MARWIJK AFTER HIS SIDE BOWED the intended target apparently Argentinian striker hoisted the always.” OUT OF THE TOURNAMENT WITH A win over 2-0 LOSS TO PERU anyone that would look. Nigeria may trophy, another is expected to But for the quiet, unassuming Broadcasters are expected only, in the do the same. genius of Messi, this current to treat Maradona with more end, prolong “We say that if Messi does not circus of Maradona must feel sensitivity during Saturday’s win the World Cup, he will not more encroaching than ever, quarter-final against France. their stay at be superior to Maradona,” Tapia more even than when Mara - Accompanying every mean- the World Cup. said, shortly after the Albice- dona was Argentina’s coach ingful action with a shot of the But for as long leste arrived in Russia. in 2010. 57-year-old perhaps made for as they are “But I believe that these are “The Argentines’ stereotype compelling viewing, but his here, Marado- comparisons that should be left of Argentinian is a discreet health cannot be taken lightly. na’s problem out.” person, who does not talk too Why can’t we do a After the match, video is Messi’s When Maradona took aim at much, and that’s the big differ- Greece at the Euros emerged of him being helped problem too. Sergio Ramos last week, calling ence with Maradona. He likes to or a Leicester C’mon Australia !! into the dining area of his VIP him inferior to Atletico Madrid’s grab attention,” said Alexandre in the Premier ( ps. Awesome goal box, seemingly unwell. Photos Diego Godin, the Spain defend- Juillard, author of ‘Insubmers- League? Think big, Peru!) showed medical staff attending er retaliated with an insult he ible Messi’. to him, with one appearing to clearly felt would cut deep. “In Argentina they have an damn it! AUSTRALIAN ACTOR RUSSELL CROWE take his pulse. that I am not and was not hos- “In Argentina they know expression, ‘Pecho Frio’, which GETS BEHIND THE SOCCEROOS, MEXICO STRIKER JAVIER HERNANDEZ ALTHOUGH THEY FAILED TO On Wednesday, Maradona pitalised.” Maradona is light years away means when you need to be hot, WANTS HIS SIDE TO BELIEVE THEY PRODUCE A GLADIATORIAL CAN WIN THE WORLD CUP, AFTER A wrote on Instagram: “I want Claudio Tapia, the president from the best Argentine player you have to be cold, and that’s RUN OF SIX STRAIGHT LAST-16 EXITS PERFORMANCE AGAINST PERU to tell everyone that I am fine, of the Argentinian FA, may be in history which, for me, is Li- Maradona’s problem.”