Why El Diego Was Better Than Messi, Ronaldo and Kaka Put Together...

Ok... I've decided to take some time out from the seriousness of league and champions league football to pay tribute to the greatest player ever to have kicked a ball. And also prove that he was better than anything we have in the current game.

Born in Villa Fiorito a slum on the outskirts of Buenos Aires, his talent led him to become the face of Argentinian football. We won't go into the nitty gritty of his career just stick to the highlights and it'll show how good he really was. He had the strength of Cristiano Ronaldo, the ball skills of Leo Messi and the vision of Kaka if your laughing at this, have a look.... Oh and like most people I forgot he was a lethal free kick taker...

The thing is Maradona did his thing during the dark days of football when footballers were nicknamed the "Butcher of Bilbao" (yes that's Maradona having his ankle broken) or brutal man-markers like Italian Claudio Gentile were the order of the day to stop creative players. Its difficult to imagine any of the current talents lasting very long during Maradona's era, I think most of them would've feel a warm trickle down their legs before having their careers ended by the hatchet men of the 70's and 80's.

El Diego had the mental strength to overcome little protection from referees and constant targeting from opponents to carry Argentina to the world cup in 1986. In this tournament he scored two goals which rocked English football... There is also the classic image of Belgium trying to stop him in the World Cup semi final...

Maradona vs Belgium

The four Belgians not in that picture were used to make the 9 Argentinians who weren't named Maradona... This picture shows clearly the fear El Diego struck in his opponents especially in a time when the physicality of the game was very advantageous for defenders. An example of this can be seen with the career of Dutch legend Marco Van Basten who's career was ended by one too many overzealous tackles.

Maradona also went on to represent Argentina in Italia 90 and helped them reach another World Cup Final. He was the most fouled played in this tournament but he still managed to get one over against deadly rivals Brazil on the grandest stage. Argentina didn't win this tournament losing to West Germany in the final but he still left his indelible mark on the tournament.

Now on the talent front he was an equal to Messi or Ronaldo but what he had was the swagger of a genius. He was a big personality as well as a big player this can be seen in his press conferences during his time as Argentina Manager. Despite his legendary status Maradona still shows no signs of arrogance and with his humor and outlook on life can still relate to the fans of the game.

If any of the great players of today leave half the mark El Diego has left on the game as a personality and as a player I feel they would be happy. Idolised in his country, respected world wide and still reviled in England, has their been a player or more importantly will there be anyone like him? And remember I haven't even said a word about his club career...

Wayne Rooney... What can i say?

Well the biggest story in the footballing world is currently Mr Rooney's apparent desire to leave Manchester United. I get the feeling that he sees that the club is the proverbial sinking ship. Under the Glazer family England's biggest football club has been shackled with crippling debt under which a small country would collapse.

So where will he go? Manchester City would be a good choice for him financially, they could pay him double whatever Real Madrid, Barcelona or Chelsea could offer him. It wouldn't be a bad decision other than the fact that he would have to avoid being seen in large parts of Manchester. If he wants to live a repeat his Manchester United career by going to an already successful club to win trophies... he could go to Chelsea? Or more interestingly if he wants to improve and evolve as a player he could go to Barcelona or Real? I'm not sure if Barca would want him, they have already go a array of attacking talents, would they want a ill-disciplined and declining forward (since his ankle injury and the World Cup) with a persistent ankle problem? Now Real are looking like the real possibility, but only days ago Jose Mourinho was saying that he wasn't interested in signing anyone,

http://blogs.bettor.com/Jose-Mourinho-rules-out-January-signings-a34513

I personally believe he may be on his way to Manchester City... (the silence is deafening...) Whats my reasoning I hear you ask? Well Rooney isn't of the Steve Mcmanaman or Paul Ince ilk, I get the feeling he isn't interested in moving abroad. He is a working class lad born in urban Liverpool into a boxing family (basically a chav...) I don't think he'd last too long anywhere he might have to use his brain by learning a new culture and language.

I also think Rooney's antics sleeping with prostitutes and God know what else (who know he could have done a Garrincha?), drinking and smoking excessively may mean that he could have a very short career in comparison to some of his United colleagues. With this taken into consideration he may want to make as much money as possible (where better to do that than City?). Its has also been well documented that his value has dropped,

http://www.thisismoney.co.uk/celebrity/article.html?in_article_id=516048&in_page_id=181

I'm sure a five year contract in the payroll of the generous Sheikh could resolve that problem.

Time for the killer blow Man United supporters, I don't think he has much loyalty to the club. He is a born and bred blue nose Scouser. I think that his original reason for coming to United was to win trophies, he has come seen and conquered, the club has served his interests and now its time so say arrivederci.