Diego Maradona and Morality

The life of Diego Maradona is already one of our greatest modern morality tales. It has it all. He had unparalleled skill, he achieved super-stardom but was undone by his addictions. He sought redemption.

The only question now is: How does it end?

Diego Maradona is arguably the greatest soccer player who ever lived. His “Hand of God” goal is probably the most controversial play in soccer history and he has played for more big clubs in big games than just about anyone (ever).

Sometimes it’s hard to remember that Maradona is only 48, because sometimes it feels like (and looks like) he has lived for centuries.

He was a man among men (even though he was a mere 5'5"), but his life was one that was both celebrated and pitied.

This guy has demons that the rest of us don’t have to deal with—addiction is certainly part of his life. For a time, he was addicted to soccer (and cocaine). The white stuff got him suspended from pro soccer for a year during his prime. Another banned substance test got him booted from the 1994 World Cup.

After his playing days were done, he was addicted to food (and still cocaine). In 2005, he got his stomach stapled, he quit the blow, and he stopped overeating (it was either that or explode).

He ended up hosting a talk show, he was Argentina’s Rosie O’Donnell, and he was heading for that big fade into the past. Irrelevance stalked him.

He started drinking; like I said, he had an addictive personality. In March 2007, he was admitted to a hospital because his alcohol problem was so bad.

Now, he is suddenly a man with an opportunity to right his wrongs. Next month, Maradona will take control of the most talented soccer squad in the world. (Sorry, Spain.)

Argentina’s National Team is loaded with talent. With the World Cup in 2010 approaching, Maradona will need to start studying now if he intends to be ready for South Africa. He needs to become addicted to soccer again.

Maradona has coached twice before; both times he was unimpressive, and his teams floundered. The decision to hand him the reins has been rightly questioned by pundits of several nationalities, but in Argentina I don’t think they are that worried. Argentina have some of the best attacking players in the world: Messi, Tevez, Lavezzi, and Aguero.

All Maradona needs to do is not mess things up.

The final chapter of this morality tale will be written about either the redemption or ridicule of Diego Maradona.