Post by QPR Report on Jun 5, 2010 21:45:13 GMT
Although he's probably right: We are all against him and Argentina ! 
Mirror
Paranoid Maradona tells squad EVERYONE wants Argentina to fail at World Cup
05/06/10 By Simon Mullock
Diego Maradona has told his players that it really will be Argentina against the rest of the world in South Africa.
The man who became Public Enemy No.1 in England with his Hand of God goal at Mexico 86 has become increasingly paranoid in his rants in the build-up to the World Cup.
Once the greatest footballer in the world, many in Argentina now fear for the health of the 49-year-old whose mind and body have been ravaged by years of drug and alcohol abuse.
And after struggling during qualification for the tournament, Maradona has told his players to tap into his own siege mentality over the coming month.
Maradona said: “Even in Argentina there will be people who want us to fail.
“We cannot trust anybody who is outside the squad – and that is how it has always been when you play for our country.
“The world wished us to fail in 1978 when we were the host nation. They were happy when we lost the title in Spain four years later. When we were champions in 1986 it was because we were able to overcome all the critics and those who wanted us to fail.
“In Italy, the world celebrated when we lost the final to Germany. That is what it is like when you play for Argentina.
“Everybody wants us to lose. Even in qualification they were waiting for us to fail so that they could attack me. So let’s not lie to ourselves. The only friends we will have in South Africa, the only people we will be able to trust is ourselves.”
Maradona’s first World Cup in 1982 ended in disgrace when he was sent off in a second-round tie against Brazil.
Four years later he scored the greatest goal in the tournament’s history in a quarter-final win over England as Argentina were crowned champions for the second time.
In 1990, Argentina lost to Cameroon in the opening game but Maradona still inspired them to reach the Final, where they lost 1-0 to West Germany.
His last World Cup as a player saw him sent home from the United States in disgrace after he failed a drug test.
Maradona still divides opinion in Argentina. There were calls for his head as they struggled to qualify from the South American group.
And a few weeks ago his running battle with the nation’s media hit rock bottom when he ran over a photographer in his car.
Maradona added: “This group of players reminds me of the 1986 squad, who came together as brothers when it mattered.
“Qualification was harder than it should have been, but circumstances are always different with Argentina when Maradona is involved.
“I got the team to South Africa – yet when I blew off steam at the critics they cried and moaned.”
Argentina’s campaign has already been blighted by controversy after 30 well-know hooligans flew into Johhanesburg on the same flight as Maradona’s squad.
Officials have denied paying for the thugs to attend the tournament, but Argentine clubs do have close links to ultra groups and often fund match tickets and travel.
www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/news/World-Cup-Paranoid-Maradona-tells-squad-EVERYONE-wants-Argentina-to-fail-at-World-Cup-article449655.html
Mirror
Paranoid Maradona tells squad EVERYONE wants Argentina to fail at World Cup
05/06/10 By Simon Mullock
Diego Maradona has told his players that it really will be Argentina against the rest of the world in South Africa.
The man who became Public Enemy No.1 in England with his Hand of God goal at Mexico 86 has become increasingly paranoid in his rants in the build-up to the World Cup.
Once the greatest footballer in the world, many in Argentina now fear for the health of the 49-year-old whose mind and body have been ravaged by years of drug and alcohol abuse.
And after struggling during qualification for the tournament, Maradona has told his players to tap into his own siege mentality over the coming month.
Maradona said: “Even in Argentina there will be people who want us to fail.
“We cannot trust anybody who is outside the squad – and that is how it has always been when you play for our country.
“The world wished us to fail in 1978 when we were the host nation. They were happy when we lost the title in Spain four years later. When we were champions in 1986 it was because we were able to overcome all the critics and those who wanted us to fail.
“In Italy, the world celebrated when we lost the final to Germany. That is what it is like when you play for Argentina.
“Everybody wants us to lose. Even in qualification they were waiting for us to fail so that they could attack me. So let’s not lie to ourselves. The only friends we will have in South Africa, the only people we will be able to trust is ourselves.”
Maradona’s first World Cup in 1982 ended in disgrace when he was sent off in a second-round tie against Brazil.
Four years later he scored the greatest goal in the tournament’s history in a quarter-final win over England as Argentina were crowned champions for the second time.
In 1990, Argentina lost to Cameroon in the opening game but Maradona still inspired them to reach the Final, where they lost 1-0 to West Germany.
His last World Cup as a player saw him sent home from the United States in disgrace after he failed a drug test.
Maradona still divides opinion in Argentina. There were calls for his head as they struggled to qualify from the South American group.
And a few weeks ago his running battle with the nation’s media hit rock bottom when he ran over a photographer in his car.
Maradona added: “This group of players reminds me of the 1986 squad, who came together as brothers when it mattered.
“Qualification was harder than it should have been, but circumstances are always different with Argentina when Maradona is involved.
“I got the team to South Africa – yet when I blew off steam at the critics they cried and moaned.”
Argentina’s campaign has already been blighted by controversy after 30 well-know hooligans flew into Johhanesburg on the same flight as Maradona’s squad.
Officials have denied paying for the thugs to attend the tournament, but Argentine clubs do have close links to ultra groups and often fund match tickets and travel.
www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/news/World-Cup-Paranoid-Maradona-tells-squad-EVERYONE-wants-Argentina-to-fail-at-World-Cup-article449655.html
