WORDSOF GOD
ON growing up in poverty: “Poverty is bad, it’s difficult, I knew it well. You want lots of things and all you can do is dream about them. It would be nice if there was more justice – if those who have a lot had a little less and those who have a little had a little more.”
On his 1986 World Cup goal against England:
“It was scored a little bit with the head of Diego and a little with the hand of God.”
On his number 10 shirt: “No matter what happens, and no matter who is in charge, the number 10 shirt will always be mine.”
On spending over a week in intensive care in 2004:
“I was hanging by a thread. I started to enter the tunnel (of death) and Boca fans pulled me back, and behind them came fans of River, San Lorenzo, Racing, Huracan, Independiente.”
On failing a doping test at the 1994 World Cup:
“They cut off my legs and wouldn’t let me defend myself. I didn’t use drugs, I don’t know what happened, I swear that I wasn’t doped but I see that they don’t care.”
On his belief: “I’m privileged but only because that was God’s will. God made me play well. He gave me the ability at birth. That’s why I make the sign of the cross every time I enter the pitch. If I didn’t I’d be betraying him.”
On his daughters: “If my daughters’ boyfriends make them cry two or three times, they’ll have an accident.”
On Cristiano Ronaldo: “Have you noticed how exuberant Cristiano Ronaldo looks? He scores a goal and sells you shampoo.”
On his mistakes: “Soccer is the most beautiful and healthy sport in the world. Soccer shouldn’t have to pay for my mistakes. It’s not the ball’s fault.”
On the psychiatric clinic:
“Madness is terrifying. In the clinic I felt like Jack Nicholson in One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest. There’s a guy who thinks he’s Robinson Crusoe. No one believes I’m Maradona.” On scoring: “Reaching the penalty box and not getting in a shot on goal is like dancing with your sister.” On soccer management: “Football doesn’t bother me but what surrounds it does. It bothers me that there are directors who work harder for a photo opportunity than for the club.” On drugs: “In the beginning drugs make you euphoric. It’s like winning a championship, so you think: ‘Who cares about tomorrow, since I won the championship today?’” On Pele and passion: “If (Pele) is Beethoven, I am the Ron Wood, Keith Richards and Bono of football all rolled into one.”