Gianni Infantino (FIFA President)
“I’m Italian and I’m an Interista, so I’m neither Argentine nor from Napoli. Diego made Inter and Italy cry many times, but we love him.”
Diego made Inter and Italy cry many times, but we love him
Jorge Valdano (world champion in 1986)
“In the first game he didn’t score any goals, but he scored all three and from then on he grew in his level of inspiration until he reached levels never seen before. I remember the game against Uruguay, in the round of 16, where Diego was unstoppable and one thought that it was impossible to play better than Diego did that day, but that was just a sketch of his definitive work and he chose the right day, the right opponent, the right stadium and that day against England he completed his most marvelous work” .
Alberto Tarantini (world champion in 1978)
“When he started with the ‘Cebollitas’ (Argentinos Juniors), at halftime he dedicated himself to playing little games. People started yelling “let Maradona stay!” and we (Boca Juniors players) waiting to go out onto the pitch At the end of the game he approaches me and says ‘Give me the boots’. I made my debut in the First Division and they were the only boots I had, but I gave them to him. And when we go to the 1982 World Cup, before the first game against Belgium , he comes to me with his boots and says ‘Take, they’re for you’ Nine years later!”.
Ricardo Villa (world champion in 1978)
“I played with the same number as Diego and I thought he had some individual qualities, but he didn’t even reach 10%. Diego was unique: he played beautifully, he was creative, mischievous, he excited people and that is being lost in today’s football, where everything is more of a business and the game has been robotized. Diego was a joy for football and that’s how I want to remember him.”