Maradona, Mascherano and philosophy

Sometimes nicknamed the Philosopher of Football, Argentine legend Jorge Valdano is probably best known for scoring the South American nation's second goal in their 3-2 win over West Germany in the 1986 World Cup final in Mexico.

His career started in 1971 with Newell's Old Boys before he moved to Spanish side Deportivo Alaves four years later.

In 1979 the striker joined Real Zaragoza, where he scored 46 goals in 143 matches, and that form earned him a transfer to Real Madrid, the club he eventually ended his playing career with in 1987.

After a spell coaching the Spanish giants' youth team, he took over at Tenerife before going on to guide Real Madrid to the Spanish title in 1994/95.

He spent one year at Valencia before returning once again to the Bernabeu where he became sporting director until his resignation in 2005.

The 53-year-old is the author of five books, including Suenos de futbol (Football Dreams).

Here Valdano gives BBC Sport his views on Diego Maradona, who is set to take over as Argentina coach, and his two compatriots Manchester United striker Carlos Tevez and Liverpool midfielder Javier Mascherano. He also discusses his future and that of football before answering questions posed by website users on the 606 forum.

You have said of Diego Maradona's second goal against England in the 1986 World Cup: "I am certain I can describe it much better than he could. But I could never have scored it." How would you describe it? What is your abiding memory of Maradona, both as a player and a person?

With that sentence I only wanted to establish the difference between narrative intelligence and footballing intelligence. The first has more prestige but the second has more complexity.

I wrote various articles about that goal and I stand by what I said then. Great football, to me, is the art to improvise, to find solutions, and that goal was the perfect demonstration.

As for Maradona, he was a genetic miracle, a man whom nature endowed with extraordinary abilities and who, moreover, grew up in the right place to achieve his potential.

On the field he demonstrated an ability to be a generous man, both committed and brave.

The people who said terrible things about Maradona are the same people who forget that it is necessary to judge geniuses by their deeds and not by their life


Do you see yourself remaining as a commentator on football or would you like to return as a coach or a sporting director? How does writing about football compare with playing football?

I like to come in and out of football, so I never rule out a comeback. I believe this game, when you live it with so much intensity, can make you deranged.

It is vital to take time out now and then to recover perspective. From that point of view, writing helps you reflect. The differences? When you write you can make changes until you are happy with the result; football, like music, does not allow corrections.

My best memory, and at the same time the greatest achievement, is winning the World Cup in 1986. That is the only thing which gives an idea of reaching the summit.

I am a good reader but find it very difficult to choose between Argentine writers Jorge Luis Borges and Julio Cortazar and the Colombian writer Gabriel Garcia Marquez.

What has given you the most pleasure in your career - playing, coaching or writing?

My love for football began as a player. That is my vocation. The trouble is that every player has his sell-by date. Everything else is compensation for the nostalgia that the player feels.

Do you remain pessimistic or optimistic about the future of football?

I am a realist. Football is a metaphor for the time and place you are playing in. He who does not agree with the evolution of football does not believe in the evolution of the world.


What is your assessment of 20-year-old Argentina and Atletico Madrid striker Sergio Aguero as a player?

Sergio Aguero is a fascinating player with a wide repertoire - technical, creative, powerful, daring and destabilising. His well-above-average strength is a particular talent.

His weakness is that he forms part of a collective who do not exalt him. Anything that Cristiano Ronaldo achieves at Manchester United, or Lionel Messi does for Barcelona, has more market value that anything Aguero does for Atletico. That's life… and business.

In any case, Aguero is still a boy and perhaps it would be good for him to mature at a club who hold him in the highest regard.