Diego Maradona’s 1993 visit to Australia is an experience the Socceroos will never forget
Diego Maradona left a football legacy in Australia when he took on the Socceroos 27 years ago in Sydney.
Football
Don't miss out on the headlines from Football. Followed categories will be added to My News.
It wasn’t until the world’s greatest player Diego Maradona came to Sydney 27 years ago that Australia experienced the phenomenal power of football for the first time.
Despite his death on Thursday at the age of 60, Maradona’s legacy will live on forever worldwide, including Australia thanks to his 1993 visit with the Argentina team to play the Socceroos in a World Cup qualifier.
Current Socceroos coach Graham Arnold was part of an Aussie side ultimately beaten 2-1 on aggregate over two legs.
While disappointed to miss a berth at the 1994 World Cup, Arnold said Maradona’s involvement brought so much joy and pleasure to the entire experience.
“I think he brought football here really for the first time,” Arnold said.
“For a long time we hadn’t had anyone of that stature in Australia.”
RIP the great Diego Maradona.Quite simply the best ever.Thank you!! pic.twitter.com/g5wGRXRVgX
— Robbie Slater (@RobbieSlater17) November 25, 2020
A then record Sydney Football Stadium attendance of 43,967 were present as Maradona, a night after his 33rd birthday, set up Argentina’s only goal for Abel Balbo in the 1-1 first leg draw.
“Even the stairways down the stand were packed with people sitting in them,” Arnold said. “Having Maradona come out ... just the energy that he gave the game here in Australia. Everyone was talking about the game, everyone was talking about Maradona.
“It was great because the journos didn’t come to watch us train. They all went to watch Maradona train. We could do what we wanted.”
Arnold said Maradona had been touched by Australia’s fans not jeering while Argentina’s national anthem was being played.
“For the first time he could hear the Argentine national anthem at an away game and he pleaded with them not to boo our national anthem (in the return leg), and you could hear our national anthem in Buenos Aires,” he said.
Just woke to the very sad news of the passing of Diego Maradona....RIP....simple the the best...xmb
— Mark Bosnich (@TheRealBozza) November 25, 2020
Maradona’s generosity was evident after Argentina sealed qualification with a 1-0 second leg win, with the former Barcelona and Napoli star shouting the entire Socceroos team to a night out.
“I was in the lobby in the hotel ... and a guy comes over to me, he had about 15 cabs lined up a the front of the hotel, and said ‘Mr Maradona wants you to go to (a nightclub) ... the night is on him.’
“They could have been taking as anywhere but we went to the nightclub, there was a massive line out front, the next thing Maradona walks out and takes us all in.
“We had a great night. Great memories ... what a fantastic player. Unfortunately he’s gone.”
Adelaide United coach Carl Veart, who came on as a second-half substitute in Buenos Aires, was saddened by Maradona’s passing.
“In my time growing up he was most definitely the best player to ever play the game,” Veart said.
“Some of the things he did on the football field, you just couldn’t see anyone else doing what he did.
“I remember playing in Argentina, the atmosphere and to be on the same pitch as him, you had to pinch yourself.”
The greatest of all time.
— Ned Zelic (@NedZelic) November 25, 2020
RIP Diego Maradona. pic.twitter.com/j2ggMv0AOi
As was Socceroos great Robbie Slater, who earnt high praise from Maradona for his performance in 1-1 first-leg draw.
“Sometimes you just have nights when you can run forever and that was one of the nights for me,” Slater told Fox Sports News.
“I had quite possibly the best game of my career, certainly for the Socceroos.
“A little while later the manager came into our dressing room and asked if I would come into Argentina’s dressing room. I went into the dressing room and he gave me his shirt.
“He spoke about me in the press for the next two weeks ahead of the return leg … when Maradona speaks, a lot of people listen.”
Originally published as Diego Maradona’s 1993 visit to Australia is an experience the Socceroos will never forget
Aussie trio playing for keeps
Goalkeeper Joe Gauci can’t afford to relax if he wants to hold on to his place in Australia’s starting team.
A-League shock as Central Coast Mariners owner quits
Richard Peil has quit the Central Coast Mariners, with drastic funding cuts made by the governing body making it impossible for him to keep the club afloat from his own pocket.