Being an Argentinean footballer with attacking pretensions bestows a lot of expectation. As soon as a new icon bursts onto the scene there are always the inevitable comparisons with the former cocaine snorting, obesity prone legend that is Diego Maradona.
El Diego is the yardstick against which all others are judged. Some have come close, but most haven’t.
Ariel Ortega
The first of the ‘nexts’ to take the mantle, El Burrito (Little Donkey) was similar in many respects. Small, squat with mesmeric dribbling ability, Ortega has also battled an alcohol addiction throughout his career. Still owned by River Plate, he is currently on loan at Independiente Rivadavia, where a contractual provision allows for bi-weekly trips to a Chilean treatment centre for alcoholics.
Juan Roman Riquelme
One of the greatest playmakers of the modern game, Riquelme followed in his forefather’s footsteps by moving from Boca Juniors to Barcelona. Undoubtedly one of the greatest ever passers of a football, he doesn’t quite fill Diego’s little boots owing to his ploddish pace. Recently quit the Argentinian national team because of what he termed as “Maradona’s lack of professionalism”.
Javier Saviola
Very much in Maradona’s mould, but ultimately a very poor man’s version. Promised much when he broke onto the scene at the under-20 World Cup, but other than a brief purple patch at Barcelona has failed to deliver. Moved to Real Madrid in 2007 but has made only 17 appearances for the club. Now 27 his career has proven to be somewhat of a damp squib.
Sergio Aguero
If you can’t beat them join them. Kun has joined the Maradona clan having sewn his wild seed in Diego’s young daughter, Giannana. On the pitch he has shown plenty of promise and has the potential to develop into a world class talent. Keep an eye out for young Benjamin Maradona-Aguero, though. Theoretically he should be pretty good.
Lionel Messi
In all probability the best player in the world at the moment. At 21 he has already won La Liga twice and the Champions League, although injuries have restricted him to only 104 appearances in 5 years. With the ball at his feet no one can get near him. Whilst Cristiano Ronaldo is a show-pony, prancing and vying for attention, Messi’s understated brilliance is incomparable.