DBasia.news – Who doesn’t remember Diego Maradona’s second goal against England in the 1986 World Cup. The goal, which started from a twisting move outwit three English players, was followed by a touch of grace to start the dribbling without being blocked.
Techniques and improvisation can only be learned from the narrow spaces in the streets and the playing arena for village football. The usual way of playing avoids the tight attachments of other players when competing in arenas without a referee. This kind of shrewdness could only come from someone who knew for sure that he could demonstrate his skills.
Spectacular individual action and spontaneity like this many people are worried about missing young players today. Players prefer to learn how to maneuver in the back row of opponents and tend to pay attention to tactical matters.
“The academies are full of coaches, football is too organized, orderly, everything is tight and one-two touches. Let them dribble,” said former England winger Chris Waddle.
Wadlle assessed that current soccer players do not dare to hold the ball alone while advancing, on the contrary they carry out the tactic of passing from foot to foot which often returns to the back. “They train too much and are afraid of losing the ball.”
Unlike Maradona. He was never afraid of losing the ball or fear of injury. Who knows how many times the legend has to serve hard and even rough escort. But he didn’t change the way he played.
In Argentina, Spain and Italy, defenders go through every means, legally or illegally, to stop him which makes them look as unfortunate as what Peter Reid of England did at the Azteca Stadium in Mexico at that time, being passed without being able to do anything.
Maradona has the confidence, determination and arrogance to continue to make England players look stupid.
“You can tell he comes from street football,” said Rafa Paz, Maradona’s former team-mate at Sevilla.
Maradona is definitely not the last player to play at the highest level with informal football skills capital.
The player who led France to World Cup glory, Zinedine Zidane, also grew up in Marseille’s tough La Castellane district. Maradona’s appearance at the 1986 World Cup inspired the midfielder who later played at Juventus and Real Madrid.
“I was 14 years old, and at that age you care about everything. That’s when I realized what kind of player he is, makes the difference he does. He wins games alone,” said Zidane.
“That’s an extra he has compared to other players. In 1986, he was on another level.”
Maradona said he was influenced by previous street players like Manchester United legend George Best, who knew tactics meant nothing if he could do it all alone.
“George inspired me when I was young,” said Maradona when the Northern Irish legend died.
“He’s flamboyant and interesting and able to inspire the team. I actually think we are two very similar players, dribbles who are capable of creating magical moments.”
In the current era, of course, Lionel Messi is proof that the academy system does not automatically eliminate this miracle. Messi left his homeland at the age of 12 to join Barcelona’s La Masia academy and it would be difficult to say his dribbling skills were being eroded by that academy.
World champion France, blessed with talent springs from “Banlieues” (a suburb of Paris) or places like Bondy, outside the capital where Kylian Mbappe has honed his dribbling skills.
From Ferenc Puskas kicking a cloth ball in the ruins of post-WWII Budapest, Eusebio of Benfica playing barefoot in Mozambique, to Wayne Rooney playing in a small tarmac playing area in Croxteth, Liverpool, the most basic facilities have resulted some of the most exciting football talents.
England and Borussia Dortmund winger Jadon Sancho is one of a number of players to have emerged from south London.
“Everyone expresses himself and that is how people learn the skills. Street football makes you not afraid of anyone,” said Sancho.
Perhaps because of this lack of fear, willingness to take risks has linked all the players of this type which makes them ready-made players.
“I’m Maradona, who scored, who made mistakes. I can do everything, I have big enough shoulders to fight with anyone,” said Maradona once.
“You can say a lot about me, but you can never say I don’t take risks.”
Street football offers not only skill, but also guts.