Friday Flashback: When Maradona made even Francesco Totti look innocent (Brazil v. Argentina 1982 World Cup)

By Eric Beard

I know a lot of people, including myself, were disgusted to see Francesco Totti viciously attack Mario Balotelli, but on our Facebook page Mr. Sgalbazzini made the very good point that “[Totti]’s done this so many times I don’t know why anyone is surprised. Rooney has done similar. So did Roy Keane. Patrick Vieira. They’re still [considered] amongst the greatest.”

This was a great way to put things in perspective. Totti acted criminally towards Balotelli, but in the long run will it really taint the legacy he has had on modern Italian calcio? Probably not. Should it? Perhaps. I thought, “Who is the biggest player to do something as terrible as what Totti did and still be considered a great?” And without a doubt, it is Maradona.

In the 1982 World Cup held in Spain, there were massive expectations placed upon Maradona, as he was the man who was supposed to lead Argentina out of a group of death with Brazil and Italy. FC Barcelona had just purchased the Argentine talent from Boca Juniors, so all Spanish football fans wanted to see their new La Liga man. Unfortunately, the Azzurri defeated Argentina 2-1, and Brazil were dominating their rivals 3-1 before Maradona lost it and, like Totti against Inter Milan last Wednesday, resorted to violence. Diego Maradona kicked Brazilian player Joao Batista, and promptly received a red card in the 85th minute for his actions.