'Diego will always be with us' as Argentina prepare for first World Cup since Maradona's death
Argentina are heading to their first World Cup since the death of Diego Maradona, but the great Albiceleste will be there in spirit.
That was the message from former Maradona agent Guillermo Coppola at the opening of CONMEBOL's 'Tree of Dreams' in Doha to celebrate South America's rich footballing heritage.
Lionel Scaloni's side are among the pre-tournament favorites in Qatar ahead of Tuesday's Group C opener against Saudi Arabia, seeking a first World Cup crown since an inspired triumph by Maradona in 1986.
There hasn't been a South American winner of FIFA's top tournament since Brazil in 2002, but Coppola hopes that will change for Argentina in his first outing since Maradona's death in November 2020 .
"It will be the first World Cup where [Maradona] is not physically with us," said the 74-year-old. "But Diego will always be with us.
"The most precious possession for Diego was football. It was not life, which is the most precious possession of human beings.
"It was not freedom - being able to decide and do - which is the second, freedom for him was the ball.
"Where a ball rolls, there is Diego, remember this, when you see a ball roll, say, there is Diego."
Argentina ended a 28-year wait for major silverware by defeating Brazil in the 2021 Copa America final.
It makes this the first World Cup they have attended as South American champions since USA 94 and former Argentina captain Javier Zanetti expects his country to fight as a unified group .
Speaking alongside World Cup winners Oscar Ruggeri and Mario Alberto Kempes, Zanetti added: "It means a lot to have a united, consolidated and strong group.
"I hope Argentina is a group that came to Qatar knowing what they wanted."
While Zanetti, now Inter vice-president, has acknowledged the poor timing of November's World Cup, he has no doubt that Argentina will be back on track.
"We cannot know the physical condition because this World Cup is atypical," continued the 49-year-old.
"It is played in November and many consecutive games have been played recently, so there is a lot of fatigue.
"But in general, I hope that the players and the national teams will arrive in good condition."
Argentina are heading to their first World Cup since the death of Diego Maradona, but the great Albiceleste will be there in spirit.
That was the message from former Maradona agent Guillermo Coppola at the opening of CONMEBOL's 'Tree of Dreams' in Doha to celebrate South America's rich footballing heritage.
Lionel Scaloni's side are among the pre-tournament favorites in Qatar ahead of Tuesday's Group C opener against Saudi Arabia, seeking a first World Cup crown since an inspired triumph by Maradona in 1986.
There hasn't been a South American winner of FIFA's top tournament since Brazil in 2002, but Coppola hopes that will change for Argentina in his first outing since Maradona's death in November 2020 .
"It will be the first World Cup where [Maradona] is not physically with us," said the 74-year-old. "But Diego will always be with us.
"The most precious possession for Diego was football. It was not life, which is the most precious possession of human beings.
"It was not freedom - being able to decide and do - which is the second, freedom for him was the ball.
"Where a ball rolls, there is Diego, remember this, when you see a ball roll, say, there is Diego."
Argentina ended a 28-year wait for major silverware by defeating Brazil in the 2021 Copa America final.
It makes this the first World Cup they have attended as South American champions since USA 94 and former Argentina captain Javier Zanetti expects his country to fight as a unified group .
Speaking alongside World Cup winners Oscar Ruggeri and Mario Alberto Kempes, Zanetti added: "It means a lot to have a united, consolidated and strong group.
"I hope Argentina is a group that came to Qatar knowing what they wanted."
While Zanetti, now Inter vice-president, has acknowledged the poor timing of November's World Cup, he has no doubt that Argentina will be back on track.
"We cannot know the physical condition because this World Cup is atypical," continued the 49-year-old.
"It is played in November and many consecutive games have been played recently, so there is a lot of fatigue.
"But in general, I hope that the players and the national teams will arrive in good condition."
What's Your Reaction?
