July 27, 2007 CSL story on Diego Maradona (from Town Crier North York edition)
Pedigree draws attention for Astros player
(Posted Date: Friday, July 27, 2007)
With a name like Diego Maradona, opposing CSL players and fans alike are sure to take notice
By Carmine Bonanno
Francis Crescia/Town Crier
Being related to one of soccer's greatest players can't be easy, but Diego Maradona is handling it like a veteran.
The 18-year-old, whose uncle and godfather is the famous World Cup star with the same name, is in his first season with North York Astros of the Canadian Soccer League, and after playing the game for nearly 15 years he's no longer surprised by people's reaction when they learn his name.
"Usually the first impression people have is 'Are you kidding me'," he said with a laugh, in a recent interview. "I then have to tell them the whole story of how my dad is (soccer star) Maradona's brother, so I'm used to the whole thing."
Hoping to have a lengthy professional career himself, Maradona said there is pressure every time he takes to the field, but instead of it hurting his game, it makes him a better player.
"In soccer, people try to compare me with my uncle, but I'm not even close (to his level of talent)," he said. "Teams find out who I am and always come after me, but that makes me confident.
"Since they always try to stop me, it motivates me to play better and keeps me focused on the field."
Maradona's journey to the Astros' starting 11 involves three continents and a lot of travel. After his birth in Spain, Maradona's family lived in Argentina for five years before coming to Toronto for the first time in 1995.
Following three years in North York and four in Woodbridge, Maradona moved back to Argentina in 2002 until professional soccer in Toronto came calling earlier this year.
"I originally came back to play for Toronto FC, but things didn't work out with them," he said. "After that, (Astros) coach Rafael Carbajal called me to ask to come to a practice and see if I like it.
"The players are really friendly so it's been pretty good so far."
Maradona, who is completing two high school credits and working in retail in addition to playing professional soccer, said there was a period of adjustment when he first suited up for North York.
The offensive midfielder has since familiarized with the Canadian style of soccer and has even scored two goals this season.
"It took me a couple of games to get used to this kind of soccer, since there is a lot of running, a lot of long balls and it's a lot more physical," said Maradona. 'I'm the type of player who likes to control the ball and make plays, but I should be really good by the end of the (regular) season."
Maradona, who was in attendance for Argentina's Under-20 World Cup victory on July 22 at BMO Field, does not know how long his Astros' career will last, but knows his ultimate goal is to play for famed club team Boca Juniors - the last team his uncle played for before retiring.
"I was with him for the last game of his career, standing beside him on the field as he spoke to the large crowd," said Maradona, adding he still speaks with his uncle on a regular basis. "That was like the peak of my life because we had a really close relationship."
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