He met Maradona but Moyano was raised for rugby...
THAT Diego Maradona transcended football became clear from the scale and diversity of the tributes following his death a year ago today.
The Argentina legend’s off-field behaviour may have brought a degree of criticism and scorn during his lifetime — but there was universal agreement that few could touch his genius with a ball at his feet.
Edinburgh winger Ramiro Moyano was one of the few youngsters in Argentina who didn’t want to emulate El Diego — rugby was always his chosen sport — but he was still lucky enough to meet the great man.
Whenever Maradona’s path crossed an Argentinian sporting team on his travels, he would go along to say hello and offer encouragement. Moyano twice enjoyed that privilege during his international career with the Pumas and posted one of those moments on his Instagram page when Maradona died aged 60.
‘I’ve been raised in a rugby family but football is, of course, massive in Argentina,’ said the 31-year-old, who moved to Edinburgh from Toulon in the summer. ‘I met Maradona at the Sevens tournament in Dubai and then a second time in England. I was fortunate. When he was living in other countries, every time an Argentinian team went there he’d support them, so we got to meet him.’
Compatriot Emiliano Boffelli has finally joined Moyano in Scotland after a lengthy Pumas autumn tour and could make his debut for Edinburgh against Dragons on Saturday. Moyano revealed the full-back is also fairly handy with the round ball.
‘He’s really good, he played some professional football when he was younger,’ he said. ‘I’ve been here for three months and he’s only been here two days, so I’m trying to be supportive with trips to the supermarket and I’m trying to help him with the language and the city.’
Moyano has featured just once for Mike Blair’s side since arriving in the summer but could line up this weekend.
‘The opportunity to play in the United Rugby Championship, to be with another Argentinian in the team, and the history of the club was what made me decide to come here,’ he said.