Jean-Marie Pfaff and Diego Maradona crossed a few times as football players, but especially after their careers built up a good relationship.
“3 years ago I was invited to Dubai together with Kelly. I spent 3 days with Maradona in his home, where people were rarely allowed to enter”, Pfaff tells De Afspraak.
“We had a very nice dinner and talked about football. Among other things about the 1986 World Cup in Mexico. I have phenomenal memories of Diego. Memories that bring tears to my eyes.”
Does Pfaff still remember his first meeting with Maradona? “That was at the World Cup in 1982. We then played the opening game against Argentina in Barcelona and won 0-1.”
“I already realized what a talent Maradona was and what value he had. Maradona was a very ordinary folk boy who said hello to everyone.”
“Maradona was also someone you could laugh with incredibly. He will leave a void, as a footballer and as a person.”
At the World Cup in 1986, Jean-Marie Pfaff was named the best goalkeeper of the World Cup. But he had no story against Maradona twice in the semi-finals.
“How did that happen? Maradona stood in front of me and acted incredibly fast. Even the players couldn’t follow him. He turned terribly fast, saw the gap and kicked in.”
“If Maradona didn’t play for Argentina, we would have become world champions in 1986.”
Is Maradona the greatest footballer of all time? “He was a talent who became a world star, just like Pelé. Johan Cruijff was more of a tactician. Maradona went to get the ball in his own midfield and then passed 5 to 6 men.”
“For me, Maradona is the greatest because of his individual class. He pulled everyone along.”
After his career, Maradona was more often negative in the news than he would have liked. “I think it’s a shame that Maradona has gone wrong,” says Pfaff.
“Not enough character? No, it wasn’t. Maradona was very jovial. I think he was dragged in a certain direction and he couldn’t get out of it anymore.”
“I look at Maradona in a total package. About the last few years I would say:” We are silent about it. “I think he has done more good things than bad.”
“Diego was a good friend. I will worry about his death for days. I am proud that I knew him not only as a football player but also as a person”, Pfaff concludes.
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