They saw god! Few of the footballers who have passed through Eure-et-Loir have crossed paths with Diego Armando Maradona, who passed away this Wednesday, November 25 at the age of 60. Jean-Pierre Papin and Gérard Soler, the coach and president of C’Chartres Football, are among the privileged.
World football legend Diego Maradona has passed away
The two former French internationals have never faced “el Pibe de oro” in an official match. Neither under the colors of the Blues, Jean-Pierre Papin (54 selections between 1986 and 1994, present at the 1986 World Cup) and Gérard Soler, (16 selections between 1974 and 1983, present at the 1982 World Cup) not having played in France alone – Argentina played by Maradona in 1986. Neither in the European Championship or Cup, “JPP” notably arriving at AC Milan in 1991, a year after the departure from Naples to Sevilla de Maradona.
But the two members of the CCF had the chance to approach the Argentine on several occasions. Tribute.
Jean-Pierre Papin: “A genius with a bullet to the foot”
Jean-Pierre Papin (C’Chartres Football coach): “I am the ass. Stunned. Christophe (Dominici) who was my friend on Tuesday. We had known each other for a long time now and it dumbfounded me to learn of his death. Then Maradona, whom I had also known today. It’s a lot. Around us, things are falling … The disappearance of Maradona is sad for football. We met for the first time at the jubilee of Michel Platini (ndlr: in 1988 in Nancy). Then, in a very short time, I played two more charity matches with him, not too long ago (in 2015 and 2016), in Morocco. It was always a pleasure to meet that kind of person, to be able to chat with him for five minutes. He was the lodger we know, always ready to laugh. He was an artist, there you are. On and off the pitch. My idol was Michel Platini. But Maradona was a genius shot in the foot. There are no more like him! Those kind of players who can win you matches on their own. They are the dream of all kids around the world. I am very sad today… ”
Gérard Soler: “This gentleman loved life”
Gérard Soler (President of C’Chartres Football): “Dominici, Secrétin and Maradona… It’s funny this chain of fate. In three days, three great sportsmen, sacred monsters, who leave us. Maradona, he was the best player in the world in his time with Michel Platini. I was at the match when Toulouse beat Napoli in the European Cup (in 1986) but I did not play (Editor’s note: he no longer played at TFC but at Stade Rennais). I then saw him again on Michel Platini’s jubilee. Maradona, for me, is above all the rivalry with Michel. A sporting rivalry, not human because they were friends, when Maradona was in Naples and Michel at Juventus. I don’t know if Italy will ever relive it, this competition between two guys who esteem each other, two huge players. There was a whole cinema around with two completely different men, two exceptional talents. We lived that compared to Michel. Maradona, he will remain his hand against England, his madness with Burruchaga at the 1986 World Cup, his dribbling, his consuming passion for everything. This great football man loved life. And as football is life, I think he confused the two … “
Franck Thébault
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