Sports + reporter Xiaozhong reported
Speaking of Maradona, of the Argentine team of maradona's time, one cannot fail to mention Claudio Caniggia. In the 1990 World Cup in Italy, the quarter-final against South America's old rival Brazil, Maradona sent a brilliant pass after several people in a row, and it was Caniggia, nicknamed "Son of the Wind", who rushed to the horse and sealed his throat with a sword, sending his South American strong neighbor home early. It is one of the most classic combinations in the history of football, and it is also a perfect demonstration of maradona and Caniggia's tacit understanding. In that World Cup, Argentina reached the final, but Caniggia was suspended for accumulating two yellow cards. If the "Children of the Wind" can play in the final, will the World Cup winner be Argentina?
In a way, Caniggia lives in Maradona's shadow. Without Maradona, who is not alone in midfield, even if it is as fast as lightning, the "Children of the Wind" will not have the opportunity to make a name for themselves. However, even in the same era as the old horse, even if the old horse's dazzling aura obscured part of his light, Caniggia can still have a place in the annals of football superstar history.
Before starting his professional football career, Caniggia practiced athletics, focusing on 100 meters and participating in provincial athletics competitions. Practicing athletics has laid a good physical foundation for Caniggia, who is extremely fast and physically strong. Some say Caniggia is the fastest striker in football history, hence the names "El Pájaro" and "Hijo de El Viento".
From 1987 to 2002, Caniggia played for the Argentine national team for 15 years, playing three World Cups in 1990, 1994 and 2002. In the 1990 FIFA World Cup final in Italy, Caniggia failed to play due to suspension. In the 1994 World Cup in the United States, Maradona was banned after the doping incident, and the Argentine team was distracted and had no intention of fighting. At the 2002 World Cup in South Korea and Japan, the 35-year-old Caniggia did not play a minute.
In capped with Maradona, or smelled the same, Caniggia also took drugs and was banned for 13 months in 1993 for drug abuse. Despite not playing a minute, Cagnya received a yellow card at the World Cup in South Korea and Japan. Argentina vs. Sweden, the opponent fouled the "little donkey" Ortega, and the referee turned a blind eye. At halftime, Caniggia protested to the referee and was sent off with a red card. Argentina were eliminated after the group stage, and Caniggia also said goodbye to his national team career.
Caniggia's most glorious moment in Argentina was inextricably linked to Maradona's presence. In a recent interview with the Portuguese media, Caniggia talked about the cooperation with Maradona that year, in addition to comparing messi and Maradona's two generations of Pampas superstars. As for this year's Ballon d'Or, Caniggia believes it will go under Ronaldo. From 1994 to 1995, Caniggia played for Portuguese Super League giants Benfica, and he also recalls some of the situations of that year.
"Children of the Wind" update
Mouth-to-mouth kissing with the old horse is a natural reaction
Q: You can't talk about great players without talking about Maradona, who is one of the best players in the history of football. You were teammates with him and shared the same locker room. Tell me about him.
A: One of the best (in the history of football), that's not true, he's the best player in history. He was a football genius and one of the players we will always remember. I played with a lot of talented players, and that era was probably one of the best in football history. In that era, there were many natural geniuses, but no one could compare to Diego, he was a superstar. Even with injuries, he can play at a very high level. Many times, I've seen Diego play with an injury, and no player now takes that risky playing. Even with injuries, he plays and can play at the same level.
Q: One of the things that's interesting is that one of the iconic images of 1990s football was between the two of you kissing mouth-to-mouth, when you both played for Boca Juniors.
A: That's a natural thing. The first kiss was in a game against River Plate, and after that, the other kisses were different. I was kissing the God of football and a great friend.
Most regrettable: did not play in the 1990 World Cup final The 1994 World Cup lost the old horse
Q: At the 1994 World Cup in the United States, Maradona said goodbye to the national team, and you were also present. He was found out on a urine test, how did the whole team react to that?
A: After he left, we never won a game [at that World Cup]. That blow was too heavy for everyone, especially for Diego. I firmly believe they framed him. Argentina was very strong at the time, they felt like we had the best team, we were the biggest favourites to win the championship, that made a lot of people uncomfortable, they wanted us to lose the game. With Diego in place, I'm sure we'll win that World Cup.
Q: At the 1994 World Cup in the United States, Maradona left early. The opposite happened in the 1990 World Cup final in Italy, when there was no Caniggia. Without you, Argentina lost to Germany.
A: The two things are different, [the 1990 World Cup final in Italy] I was suspended because I had accumulated two yellow cards. We played a great World Cup and it was me, or Maradona, and we wanted to win in Italy because we both played in Serie A. Unfortunately, we didn't win the championship. However, at that time we were the best (team) in the World Cup and we deserved to win the championship.
Messi's generation of national teams did not win the championship because of too much pressure
Q: After Maradona, argentina now has Messi. However, Argentina's results are difficult to match that year. Is there a reason for this?
A: Argentina is not short of good players and can beat any team. Even without Messi, we have (still) very good players. We have so many talented players, but the Argentine national team has not won the championship. Maybe one day, we'll regret it. However, the truth is that the results really did not come out. I don't know how to explain why, maybe it's because it's too eager, especially in the decisive race. For example, in the finals of the last World Cup and the two Copa America, we all lost. There's too much pressure on this team, especially because there are Messi in the team. Maybe it's for this reason that we're under too much pressure. They want to win everything, and I don't doubt that. However, they still have many opportunities ahead. I believe that this generation of Argentine players can still win a certain big competition.
Q: You've been a teammate with Maradona and you know Messi very well. Who is better?
A: Messi is a "phenomenon" and there is another talented player of this level, and Argentina has to thank you. However, in my opinion, Maradona is the best in history. However, I really don't like to make this comparison either. It's like asking the Frenchman Zidane or Platini who is better. They are players of different eras, but they will always be great players. Most likely, we will pick the players of our own era and think he is better.
Messi is better This year's Golden Globes should go to Ronaldo
Q: Among the current generation of players, the crown of the world's best player is competing between Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo...
A: Every weekend, there are two talented players of this level playing, and they catch up with each other and don't give in to each other, which is really good. I chose Messi and in my opinion, he is the best player of the era. However, Ronaldo is also very good, and his level is comparable to Messi's. I say this because both of them have won so many championships.
Q: Who will win this year's Golden Globes?
A: Ronaldo has just led the Portuguese national team to win an important competition (The European Championship) and he also won the Champions League. Messi is a phenomenal player, but Cristiano Ronaldo also deserves (Ballon d'Or). Because this award is not just an individual award, the players who win it have to win a lot of championships. If (Ronaldo) doesn't win (the championship), (the Ballon d'Or) will be Messi's. In the past few years, it has been like this, (either Messi, or C Ronaldo). I like both guys very much, they have different ones, but it's hard to discuss who is the best. They're both very, very great players.
Portuguese Super League: The most memorable Lisbon derby with a red card
Q: Tell me about you, you still pay attention to football?
A: No. I don't watch too many games now, I don't like to reminisce about the past, I live in the present. Now, I'm enjoying life. I spend most of my time in Argentina, Miami, Rio and (Spain) Marbella. Now, I enjoy spending more time with my family.
Q: 22 years ago (1994), you were on your way to Portugal and Benfica. What memories do you have of that time?
A: It was a very good experience in my career. I came to a different country than Italy and Argentina (he played for Roma before coming to Benfica) and I love it very much, the people here are very kind, they know me, I came to play in a great club. Benfica is famous and known to people all over the world. I thought it was a very good choice, unfortunately we didn't win anything. Still, it was a really good experience.
Q: Do you still pay attention to Benfica?
A: Right now, I'm more concerned than I was a few years ago. Because I live in Spain a lot of the time, it's easy to watch the Portuguese Premier League. I'm especially interested when I see something about Benfica. It's normal for other clubs I've played for, too, and I'm interested.
Q: It's been so many years, but Benfica still loves to use Argentine players.
A: Yes, very much. There are a lot of Argentine players who have played for Benfica, such as Saviola, Aimar, Di Maria and Gaitan. Benfica unearthed many young geniuses, some from Argentina and some from other countries. Those players also know that to think about playing in Europe, it is very suitable to start at Benfica, very good. Playing in Benfica, they can attract interest from other clubs.
Q: Which of your Benfica teammates of the year did your performance shine?
A: I've played with a lot of great players and it wouldn't be fair to pick only one or two. Benfica was in a bad situation at the time, but there were great players. Predholm is one of them, he's one of the best goalkeepers I've ever met. Despite his advanced age at the time, he was still excellent and he could have had a more glittering career. Another genius is (João Pinto), who is also phenomenal.
Q: In Portugal, when people talk about Caniggia, they're bound to talk about the red card you received against Sporting Lisbon. It was the referee who misjudged it, which later led to a replay of that game. Do you remember?
A: I don't remember much about that game, but I remember the controversy even more clearly. I think the referee made a mistake, and he must have thought I had a yellow card before, so he gave me a red card. However, he misremembered that the red card should not have been given.