Football is lost without genius
■ The world has lost a legend in Maradona who was arguably better than Pelé or George Best but certainly better than Messi, Ronaldo or Bale – and I’m sure they would all agree.
Forgetting the drugs, the alcohol, the Mafia and shooting at reporters, Diego Maradona was heaven or hell to watch, depending on your point of view.
The ‘ hand of God’ incident created uproar but only momentarily because then the Barrilete Cósmico or Cosmic Kite, as he was nicknamed, only went and scored the goal of the century against England beating everyone on the pitch and netting a beauty.
Like many other greats, he was playing in the wrong age. Pelé, Platini, the Charltons, Klinsmann – what recognition would they have got today? Enormous.
There are so many prima donna footballers today but aside from Messi, Bale or Ronaldo, none can match the heroics of these geniuses. Ashley Smith, March, Cambs
■ Yes, it was sad to see the passing of legend Diego Maradona, especially at such a young age. But I remember watching that infamous match in Mexico and still feel we were robbed. Had he been sent off for the deliberate hand ball, he wouldn’t have been on the pitch to score that wonder goal that helped Argentina through to the semi-final and ultimately win the World Cup. Not only was he one of the great footballers, he was a cheat and a bad loser, ser, not to mention the drugs. He cried
when he was beaten in the 1990 final and was sent home in disgrace in 1994, That said, with a ball at his feet, he was a genius. Chris Smith, Northampton
■ Goodbye, Maradona, the last of the football greats with real and not overhyped talent.
The game today has been destroyed by Academy robots, raised on playing on carpets and over-coached to the point of being ridiculous. It’s pass to death. I am sick of it.
Give me a gifted maverick like Maradona any time over these sporting drones, more suited to Madame Tussauds.
It’s dishwater masquerading as champagne! They will not be mourned like Maradona.
Collin Rossini, Dovercourt, Essex
■ What a brilliant article by Brian Reade on Maradona, the “small ball of brilliance” (November 26).
Yes, he was flawed and it is very sad his later years were tainted by cocaine and links to drug lords, but he was a genius and one of the greatest footballers of all time.
He came from the streets yet
played the game beautifully. Fast as lightening and always unpredictable, you never knew what he was going to do next. Even the best of today’s players can’t come anywhere close to his brilliance. H J Scott, Blackpool
■ Maradona undoubtedly was the greatest player of my lifetime, by a mile. Never mind the ‘ hand of God’, it wasn’t given and, let’s face it, England keeper Peter Shilton was too slow to stop him.
RIP, Diego, you and Pelé remain the greatest of all time – and comfortably so. Rich Snowdon Bolton, Gtr Manchester
■ What a phenomenal tragedy that the supremely talented footballer Diego Maradona lies dead at the age of 60. If any good is to emerge from his early demise let it be a warning of the health dangers of taking illegal drugs. Howard Gardner
Sale, Gtr Manchester
■ How sad that Maradona has passed away at just 60. Although he lived a very troubled life in later years, he’ll always be remembered for his genius on the pitch. Mandy Dhanda, Coventry