The tribute to Maradona of his most feared defenses

Diego Armando Maradona He was the embodiment of danger on a pitch and that is why he starred in great duels with defenses of the time. In Spain, in his two years in the Barcelona, ​​Camacho was often in charge of stopping him as he was in his confrontations with the Real Madrid. In Italy were epic his struggles with Claudio Gentile, player of the Juventus. This, however, he met before because for the memory remains the marking that the Italian defender did in a Argentina-Italy of the World Cup 82. Later, when Maradona landed on the Naples The faces were seen again and the Argentine star almost always emerged victorious in those matches. Camacho and Gentile remember those games in AS.

Camacho: “In the field, full, but I went to his wedding”

J. Maroto / madrid

Your markings on Maradona made an era, what memories do you have?

When the week came to face Maradona it was a responsibility. Because he was the best. I have not seen another player like it. He had it all, and for a defender that was a problem. Also, I don't have to say that he played for Barça and I played for Madrid, and that's why sparks flew. But once the game was over, we were friends, soccer people, professionals.

So much so that he invited him to his wedding with Claudia Villafañe, in Argentina.

One thing does not remove the other. In the field we were going full, with everything, both him and me. But I was at her wedding. Diego chartered an Aerolineas Argentinas Jumbo just to take his friends from Europe to Buenos Aires. The plane made a first pick-up in Naples, and then landed in Madrid and the four guests from Spain got on: Di Stéfano, Valdano, Marcos Alonso and me. We spent a whole week there, invited by Diego and Claudia. It was an unforgettable wedding.

What would you highlight about the Maradona player?

Diego had everything, but above all a tremendous ability to throw the entire team, and the championships, on his back. He was intuitive, fast, with a talent and technical ability that I have only seen in him. He made all his companions better.

Did you maintain the friendship?

Yes, friendship and respect. We had to play some charity games together, for the AFE, as partners, and then another in Istanbul for the victims of an earthquake. Diego was always supportive.

Gentile: “Before the Italy-Argentina I had nightmares”

M. Calemme / Naples

How have you reacted to the news of Diego's death?

I am still in shock. I knew it wasn't right, but I wasn't expecting this. It is logical to think of our memories, in the 82 World Cup… I'm really sad. It was too big.

That Italy-Argentina is a legend in football history.

I had nightmares on the eve. Having to mark a player like that, against champion Argentina … It was very hard to find a solution. I started studying it and in the end I was lucky.

The 'solution' was old-fashioned marking. Of those that no longer exist.

I tell you one thing. If Maradona played today, he would score 45 goals per season. Now everyone defends in the zone, and playing like this against a player as huge as Diego, you end up like England in 86 … Everyone on the ground. With this marking, Diego scores three, four goals per game.

Do you still think that you are the greatest of all time?

Yes of course. Everyone talks about Pelé… Maradona had the courage to come to play in Europe and he did what he did. Not the Brazilian. The Calcium of its time was extremely difficult and managed to bring many unforgettable joys to the Neapolitans.

Between you and Diego there has always been a lot of respect.

At the World Cup in Spain he did not want to exchange the shirt with me. That hurt me, I got angry, but with time I didn't care. For me, I repeat, it is the greatest of all time.

Condolences from Goikoetxea

Andoni Goikoetxea, who injured Maradona, also said goodbye to him through social networks: “It makes me very sad. He was a genius who was born to play soccer. Goodbye to a world soccer star. Rest in peace.”