The New Maradona

In a bit of a wierd one, Juan Roman Riquelme retired from international football on wednesday, at the tender age of 28. And thus it came to pass that another 'New Maradona' was not. So, I thought it would be a good idea to check up on what is going on with all the other 'New Maradonas', as there have been a few.

Ariel Ortega -now 32
The original and laryest 'New Maradona', who actually played alongside the old one at World Cup 94. Moved to Valencia in 96, but was too much of a small angry man to stay at any club for too long (6 clubs in 10 years). Headbutted Edwin van der Saar in the World Cup 98 quarter (right), got sent off, Argies lost. Cancelled his own contract at Fenerbhace in 2003 and was banned from playing footy for a year and a half. Now back in Argentina.

Marcelo Gallardo -now 30
Formed a pretty mean partnership in midfield with Ludo Guily for a couple of years at Monaco during which they shat on the league and he picked up the French League Footballer of the Year, but then Boumsong's probably got a few of those. Fell out with Didier Deschamps and left the club the season before they somehow ended up in the Champions League final. Now back in Argentina playing with Ortega at River Plate.

Juan Roman Riquelme -now 28
Got fucked over at Barca where they played him on the wings, but eventually found his feet at Villareal and was almost single-handedly reponsible for their jaunt to the Chumps League semis last year- in which he bottled penalty in the last minute. Looked great at the world cup but was substituted in the quarter-finals against Germany which Argentina subsequently lost. Has only an Inter-Toto cup medal to his name outside of South America.


Pablo Aimar -now 27, left
Signed by Valencia in 2001 for £16m, and was a large part of their Primera Liga victories in 2002 and 2004. Has since lost his place in the Argentinia squad, contracted viral meningitis for a few months, and was recently sold to Real Zaragoza, a noticeable step down, for a bargain £6.5m.

Javier Saviola -now 25
Possibly the greatest Championship Manager player of all time, Saviola made the switch to Barca in 2001 but never quite seemed to fit in. Was loaned out to Monaco and Sevilla where last year he won the UEFA Cup. Was a surprise starter in Jose Pekerman's Argentina team during this summers World Cup, vindicating his selection with a goal and a few assists. Has gone back to Barca to prove his worth (unlikely to play much, likely to get paid loads. hmmm).

Andres D'Alessandro -now 24
Got famous in the same youth team as Saviola, and is one of three players who have actually been recognised as the new him by Maradona himself (along with Messi and Saviola). Despite being widely touted, ended up moving to German nobodies Wolfsburg where he was nothing special for a couple of seasons. Even more bizzarely, he turned up at Portsmouth last year to play a few games for Dirt 'Arry, and scored one blinder against Charlton. Now on loan at Zaragoza with fellow ex-new Maradona Aimar. Has never, to my knowledge, even played for the Argentinian national team.

So... as you can see the general trend seems to be that the 'New Maradonas' generally aren't, and are in fact a bit dissappointing. Carlitos Tevez (22)and Lionel Messi (19) be afraid.