New Maradona
Encyclopedia
New Maradona or New Diego is a title given by the press and public to promising Argentine
football
players in reference (and reverence) to the legendary Diego Maradona
as a benchmark. Since Maradona retired, people have been anticipating someone to lead the Argentine team to a World Cup Final, like Maradona once did.
As a consequence, very talented youngsters are quickly labeled as a New Maradona sometimes without any similarity in playing style (for example Franco di Santo
or Juan Roman Riquelme
). The New Maradonas are predominately players in attacking roles; forwards, wingers, or attacking midfielders.
forward Lionel Messi
, an assertion claimed by Maradona himself. Maradona and Messi worked together as manager and captain for Argentina's national side
at the 2010 FIFA World Cup
, the former thoroughly impressed with the latter's skills.
Even before Maradona made this pronouncement, people already drew comparisons with the two. On October 14, 2006 in a match against Recreativo Huelva, Lionel Messi scored a goal with his hand, which drew comparison to the Hand of God goal scored by Maradona against England in 1986 FIFA World Cup
. On April 18, 2007 Lionel Messi scored a goal against Getafe CF
, one of which was very similar to Maradona's second goal against England, called the Goal of the Century. The world's sports press exploded with Maradona comparisons, and the Spanish press labeled Messi "Messidona". Messi also scored a goal using his hand in Barcelona's 2-2 draw with RCD Espanyol
, leading to many people drawing comparisons to Maradona's first goal against England.
Argentina
Argentina , officially the Argentine Republic , is the second largest country in South America by land area, after Brazil. It is constituted as a federation of 23 provinces and an autonomous city, Buenos Aires...
football
Football (soccer)
Association football, more commonly known as football or soccer, is a sport played between two teams of eleven players with a spherical ball...
players in reference (and reverence) to the legendary Diego Maradona
Diego Maradona
Diego Armando Maradona is a retired Argentine football player and widely regarded as one of the greatest football players of all time. Over the course of his professional club career Maradona played for Argentinos Juniors, Boca Juniors, Barcelona, Napoli, Sevilla and Newell's Old Boys, setting...
as a benchmark. Since Maradona retired, people have been anticipating someone to lead the Argentine team to a World Cup Final, like Maradona once did.
As a consequence, very talented youngsters are quickly labeled as a New Maradona sometimes without any similarity in playing style (for example Franco di Santo
Franco di Santo
Franco Matías di Santo is an Argentine footballer who plays as a striker for Wigan Athletic.- Audax Italiano :Di Santo began his club career in the Chilean team Audax Italiano. In the 2006–07 season he scored 26 goals in 76 matches, including one goal in six matches in the Copa Libertadores...
or Juan Roman Riquelme
Juan Román Riquelme
Juan Román Riquelme is an Argentine footballer who plays for Boca Juniors. A longtime Argentine international, Riquelme is best known for his spells with Boca Juniors and Villarreal...
). The New Maradonas are predominately players in attacking roles; forwards, wingers, or attacking midfielders.
Lionel Messi
Although still widely contested among Argentine football players, in recent times, the title has been attached to FC BarcelonaFC Barcelona
Futbol Club Barcelona , also known as Barcelona and familiarly as Barça, is a professional football club, based in Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain....
forward Lionel Messi
Lionel Messi
Lionel Andrés "Leo" Messi is an Argentine footballer who plays for FC Barcelona and captains the Argentina national team, mainly as a striker. Messi received several Ballon d'Or and FIFA World Player of the Year nominations by the age of 21, and won in 2009 and 2010...
, an assertion claimed by Maradona himself. Maradona and Messi worked together as manager and captain for Argentina's national side
Argentina national football team
The Argentina national football team represents Argentina in association football and is controlled by the Argentine Football Association , the governing body for football in Argentina. Argentina's home stadium is Estadio Monumental Antonio Vespucio Liberti and their head coach is Alejandro...
at the 2010 FIFA World Cup
2010 FIFA World Cup
The 2010 FIFA World Cup was the 19th FIFA World Cup, the world championship for men's national association football teams. It took place in South Africa from 11 June to 11 July 2010...
, the former thoroughly impressed with the latter's skills.
Even before Maradona made this pronouncement, people already drew comparisons with the two. On October 14, 2006 in a match against Recreativo Huelva, Lionel Messi scored a goal with his hand, which drew comparison to the Hand of God goal scored by Maradona against England in 1986 FIFA World Cup
1986 FIFA World Cup
The 1986 FIFA World Cup, the 13th FIFA World Cup, was held in Mexico from 31 May to 29 June. The tournament was the second to feature a 24-team format. Colombia had been originally chosen to host the competition by FIFA but, largely due to economic reasons, was not able to do so and officially...
. On April 18, 2007 Lionel Messi scored a goal against Getafe CF
Getafe CF
Getafe Club de Fútbol is a Spanish La Liga football club based in Getafe, a city in the Madrid metropolitan area, founded in 1946 and refounded in 1983.In the top level since 2004-05, it holds home games at the Coliseum Alfonso Pérez....
, one of which was very similar to Maradona's second goal against England, called the Goal of the Century. The world's sports press exploded with Maradona comparisons, and the Spanish press labeled Messi "Messidona". Messi also scored a goal using his hand in Barcelona's 2-2 draw with RCD Espanyol
RCD Espanyol
Reial Club Deportiu Espanyol de Barcelona is a sports club based in Barcelona, Spain. It is best known for its football team. Espanyol currently play in the Estadi Cornellà-El Prat with seats for 40,500 spectators. It was inaugurated on 2 August 2009...
, leading to many people drawing comparisons to Maradona's first goal against England.
List of players once thought to be the "New Maradona"
- Diego LatorreDiego LatorreDiego Fernando Latorre is a former Argentine football striker.Latorre was one of the first Argentine players to be labelled as the "New Maradona". He made his professional debut for Boca Juniors on October 18, 1987 against Platense scoring his first goal at the same match. He won the 1991...
(originally) - Ariel OrtegaAriel OrtegaArnaldo Ariel Ortega is an Argentine football attacking midfielder. His nickname is "El Burrito" , thus he is called "Burrito Ortega"....
- Marcelo GallardoMarcelo GallardoMarcelo Daniel Gallardo is an Argentine ex footballer who is currently the manager for Nacional de Uruguay....
- Juan Román RiquelmeJuan Román RiquelmeJuan Román Riquelme is an Argentine footballer who plays for Boca Juniors. A longtime Argentine international, Riquelme is best known for his spells with Boca Juniors and Villarreal...
- Pablo AimarPablo AimarPablo César Aimar Giordano is a Argentine professional footballer who plays for Sport Lisboa e Benfica in the Portuguese first division. An attacking midfielder with a vast array of skills, he also holds a Spanish passport....
- Andrés D'AlessandroAndrés D'AlessandroAndrés Nicolás D'Alessandro is a left-footed Argentine footballer who currently plays for Sport Club Internacional in Brazil. He is best known for his dribbling and his short passing ability.-Early career:...
- Javier SaviolaJavier SaviolaJavier Pedro Saviola Fernández is an Argentine professional footballer who plays for S.L. Benfica in Portugal, as a striker....
- Carlos MarinelliCarlos MarinelliCarlos Marinelli is an Argentine footballer who plays for Universidad San Martín in Perú....
- Carlos TévezCarlos TévezCarlos Alberto Tévez is an Argentine professional footballer who plays as a forward for English club Manchester City...
- Lionel MessiLionel MessiLionel Andrés "Leo" Messi is an Argentine footballer who plays for FC Barcelona and captains the Argentina national team, mainly as a striker. Messi received several Ballon d'Or and FIFA World Player of the Year nominations by the age of 21, and won in 2009 and 2010...
- Sergio AgüeroSergio AgüeroSergio Leonel "Kun" Agüero del Castillo is an Argentine footballer who plays as a striker for Manchester City in England's Premier League and the Argentine national team....
- Ezequiel LavezziEzequiel LavezziEzequiel Iván Lavezzi , nicknamed "El Pocho", is an Argentine football striker of Italian descent, who currently plays for Italian Serie A club Napoli and the Argentine national team.-Atlético Estudiantes:...
. - Mauro ZarateMauro ZárateMauro Matías Zárate is an Argentine footballer who plays for Serie A club Internazionale on loan from Lazio.Zárate started his career with Vélez Sársfield in his native country, playing three years for the team and winning the Primera División title in the 2005 Clausura tournament...