30 FOR 30: SOCCER STORIES: MARADONA '86 (TV)
Summary
The first of two programs on this asset. One in this series of sports documentaries presented by ESPN about important figures and events in athletic history. This program, part of a limited series focusing on soccer-related events, explores the turbulent life of Argentinian soccer star Diego Maradona, focusing on his famed performance at the 1986 World Cup as profiled in the book "Soccer in Sun and Shadow" by Eduardo Galeano.
Director Sam Blair opens the program by briefly discussing the "operatic character" of Maradona, whose temperamental behavior on the field led to his receiving a red card and being ousted from the 1982 World Cup game against Spain. Fans were crushed, though many others celebrated the seemingly arrogant athlete's comeuppance. Maradona sought success elsewhere and did not play for Argentina for several years — but eventually rejoined the team in 1985 in the hopes of making it to the '86 championship. On the field, Maradona was often kicked by other players, due to both his short stature and his infamous reputation. Commentators took time to explain in detail the efficacy of his creative moves with the ball.
In the quarter finals, the long-simmering Argentina-England rivalry, fueled by England's World Cup victory in 1966 and made even more complex by the recent Falkland Islands War, was again put to the test. During the game, English fans were furious when the referee permitted a goal made by Maradona with the use of his hand, arguably breaking one of the fundamental rules of soccer; a mere four minutes later, Maradona scored what was later voted "the goal of the century," passing four English players in ten seconds and sending commentator Víctor Hugo Morales into a memorable frenzy as he cried "Genius, genius, genius! Long live football!" The streets of Buenos Aires exploded with joy as Maradona was hailed both as "a genius and a cheat." Argentina became the world champion for the second time as they defeated West Germany in the final game, though Maradona would go on to face the darker sides of fame, including drug addiction and further personal controversy. Commercials deleted.
For synopsis and credits of the second program on this asset, "The Opposition," see ACCNUM 142711.
Details
- NETWORK: ESPN
- DATE: April 22, 2014 8:00 PM
- RUNNING TIME: 0:48:13
- COLOR/B&W: Color
- CATALOG ID: 114781
- GENRE: Public affairs/Documentaries
- SUBJECT HEADING: Public affairs/Documentaries; Sports; Argentina; Soccer
- SERIES RUN: ESPN - TV series, 2014
- COMMERCIALS: N/A
CREDITS
- John Dahl … Executive Producer
- John Dower … Executive Producer
- Jed Drake … Executive Producer
- Bill Simmons … Executive Producer
- Connor Schell … Executive Producer
- Erin Leyden … Senior Producer
- John Battsek … Producer
- Andrew Billman … Producer
- Deirdre Fenton … Producer
- Libby Geist … Producer
- Daniel Silver … Producer
- Jessica Ludgrove … Co-Producer
- Jenna Anthony … Associate Producer
- Brian D'Ostilio … Associate Producer
- Abigail Harding … Associate Producer
- Gabriel Siperman … Archive Producer
- Chris Rayner … Post Production Producer
- Sam Blair … Director
- Eduardo Galeano … Based on the book by
- Luke Blair … Music by
- Roger Goula … Music by
- Daniel Cerqueira … Narrator
- Diego Armando Maradona
- Víctor Hugo Morales