FIFA 2010 World Cup Star Wars: Maradona, Pele, Dunga, Beckenbauer Snapping At Each Other
Maradona might have exited the FIFA World Cup 2010 but he won’t be leaving the stage that easily. His quandary with Pele is expected to do anything but decrease after he has returned from the shocking Argentinean 4-0 defeat against Germany in the quarter finals.
Pele commented earlier on Maradona’s comments of calling him dumb and shallow. The Brazilian legend stated that if Maradona ever wanted World Cup glory to land back home again, he would have to change his attitude and tactics as far as the game is concerned.
He said that his out of position players and old strategies will bring him down if he doesn’t change soon and soon enough after the match Maradona did learn a lesson when the Germans destroyed their defense from inside their D.
The Argentineans were obliterated 4-0 and the German football legend Franz Beckenbauer expressed his shock on Friday and his disapproval of Argentinean coach Diego Maradona which has stemmed mainly from Brazil’s three time World Cup winner Pele.
Pele didn’t just have words against Maradona. In a surprise move he launched attacks against Dunga, now the former coach of Brazil. He blamed him of destroying the natural attacking game of Brazil and told him that if he tried to change the traditional game play of the team he would be responsible for their failure.
Pele especially criticized Maradona on playing Lionel Messi out of position, the Selecao legend sardonically stated, “What kind of football is that which tries to control the game with a forward”. He then added, “I don't have a problem with Maradona, I just do not think he is a good coach. He has an outlandish lifestyle and rarely is that a positive thing for the team”.
But Maradona as always was quick to counter these statements by Pele, this time only being more professional, he concentrated less on Pele and more on the German team which he had a match against. He mocked the whole German team with their mistakes and especially the German star midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger, he was seen saying “What's the matter Schweinsteiger? Are you nervoushh?” to him prior to the match, Well that was one statement Maradona would regret saying as later in the match Schweinsteiger thrashed his team with his fast passing.
Franz Beckenbauer who is one of Germany’s most brilliant players and coach, said that though he disapproval of Maradona’s behavior, he did not approve of Pele’s claim that Maradona’s previous life of problems could harm the Argentinean team. He said that Maradona didn’t act wisely in making statements about his private life though.
Beckenbauer who won the 1974 World Cup while playing for Germany and was coach in 1990 faced Argentina in the final, with a team that was captained by Maradona. Beckenbauer stated, “Above all one must not underestimate him (Maradona)”.
While talking to the media the veteran commented on Maradona appraisingly, “He was an exceptional player (he captained Argentina to victory over the Beckenbauer-coached West German’s in the 1986 finals) and nobody is entitled to give him lessons on football. What’s more, his players are ready to march through fire for him”.
Beckenbauer, who helped Germany win a 3rd World Cup and the right to host the World Cup of 2006 said that he was against the remarks made by Germany’s rising talent Schweinsteiger. Schweinsteiger scorned the Argentineans saying that they didn’t have the capacity to control themselves and play in a disciplined way. He criticized their playing style and called it very crude.
The 26 year old Schweinsteiger, who at such a young age has become the backbone of the German midfield, had a firsthand experience when he witnessed the Argentineans react poorly when they lost to Germany on penalties in 2006. Beckenbauer advocated against him saying, “They may not be very intelligent remarks”.
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