How Maradona was an instant cure for RVP and hungover United stars in Dubai
WHEN Robin van Persie was a boy learning the tricks of a trade that would make him Holland’s most prolific international goalscorer, Diego Maradona was his inspiration.
RVP was 30, and had recently scored the goals that ensured Sir Alex Ferguson was able to retire with a 13th Premier League title, when the Dutch ace came to realise that even in retirement Maradona was still coated in stardust.
David Moyes had taken the squad he inherited from Ferguson to Dubai for some warm-weather training in January 2014, when the sight of the plump Argentine legend striding towards them brought players such as Van Persie, Wayne Rooney and Rio Ferdinand to a standstill.
And Van Persie has revealed how Maradona became an instant hangover cure for a team that was feeling the effects of a night on the town the previous evening.
RVP recalled: “We had been allowed to have one night out to build team spirit – and let’s just say that most of the lads had very small eyes at the training ground the next day.
“It was always good to have a break in warm weather and we were on this ultra-modern training complex which belonged to a sheikh.
“What nobody knew was that we were getting a visit from Diego Maradona that morning.
“Training was stopped immediately. We all met Diego and each of us got a high five from him. It was amazing what happened next. Our training session was resumed and Maradona stayed to watch us.
“Every player, despite the night before, suddenly wanted to show off and tried 10-times harder than before.
“It was as if we were all kids again trying to make an impression on our hero. I have to admit even Rio Ferdinand and I went for it.
“When during one session I had not received the ball for about a minute, I started chasing like mad. Our training session ended up in a massively competitive game, with tackles flying and everyone giving it everything.
“And that was all because Diego was watching.”
These days, youngsters look to huge stars such as Lionel Messi (right) and Cristiano Ronaldo for a touch of genius.
When young Van Persie was honing a left foot that brought him 50 Holland goals and a glittering career spent with Feyenoord, Arsenal, United and Fenerbahce, the player that he idolised was Maradona. The Argentina great died at the age of 60 in November, just weeks after undergoing brain surgery. In Van Persie’s opinion, Maradona was the ultimate footballer – despite a fall from grace fuelled by a cocaine addiction and performance-enhancing drugs taken in a bid to beat the march of time.
Van Persie said: “The fact so much respect was shown to Maradona all over the world when he died was a beautiful thing and very much deserved.
“There have been a number of phenomenal football stars over the years, but it all depends on how a football icon inspires and the impact he has.
“People have always tried to compare one star with the other. They still do it – is Messi better than Ronaldo? Everyone has their own favourite. It is not about who is the best, it is about who inspires you.
“When I was a kid, I was triggered by Maradona – and he always kept inspiring me.
“He was one of a kind – both as a football player and as a person.
“He was extreme in every way. On the pitch and in his personal life.
“Yes, he had made mistakes in his life, but who has not?
“Have the people who talk about certain things in his life never made a mistake?”