Diego Maradona - More Genius than flawed

South American Football has always been a thing of beauty. They played the game with an air of flair, creativity, passion and joy. Football is always a team game, but there are tournaments that individuals win for their countries on their own. Diego Maradona did this in the 1986 World Cup. I don't have the experience of having watched Maradona in his prime. However, I have watched enough of his videos and have read enough on the internet to know, he was almost the very best Footballer the World has produced - if not the best.

On the day he passed away, tributes poured in from all parts of the world.

This particular video from England great Gary Lineker caught my eye, made me listen to it over and over again. It conveys everything about the talent Maradona was. We do not have to look too far beyond the expression from Michael Owen, who himself was a Ballon d'Or winner in 2001. That feeling of awe was what Diego Maradona generated every single time he had a Football with him.

He truly was once in a generation. He wasn't protected on the field those days - they kicked him out of many games. He fought, he was a warrior. He didn't get any protection away from Football either, but this time, he lost his way, unfortunately. Diego Maradona was everything that Football needed. The legend is no more but the legacy will stay on till eternity. Football was richer by him! It's a shame there wasn't anyone to handle him well! He was a flawed genius, but who cares!

He lived a life as he wanted, but he entertained people all over the world like nobody else ever did or ever can. He loved Football unconditionally! Many fell in love with the game itself only due to Diego Maradona.

Rest in Peace, Champion!

(Pic courtesy: WallpaperAccess.com)