Diego Maradona would have turned 66 today. This was his last Superclásico

October 30 holds great significance for Argentine football fans, who annually commemorate the legendary Diego Armando Maradona, who would have turned 66 this Friday. Sadly, the football icon passed away on November 25, 2020. If he were alive, his favorite match of the year, the Superclásico between Boca Juniors and River Plate at La Bombonera, would take place this Sunday.

As a lifelong Boca fan, Maradona played for his beloved club twice in his career, once between 1981 and '82 and then again during his twilight years from 1995 to '97. Unfortunately, his final game in his career was a Superclásico appearance at the Monumental stadium, which marked his 29th Superclásico birthday last Sunday. Reflecting on this pivotal match, we can appreciate the symbolism it carried.

The match nearly didn't happen. On August 24, 1997, Maradona tested positive for cocaine metabolites, leading the Argentine Football Association (AFA) to suspend him. In a bid to continue playing, Maradona filed a police report alleging threats to plant drugs on him. Judge Claudio Bonadío acknowledged the threats and ordered the AFA to lift the provisional suspension until further testing was completed, allowing Maradona to participate in the game.

However, the consequences extended beyond Maradona's brief return to action. The Xeneize were in the midst of their golden era under former player Ramón Díaz, who led the team to back-to-back Argentine football titles in 1996 and 1997. Boca Juniors, fueled by the signings of Martín Palermo, Óscar Córdoba, Jorge Bermúdez, and the twins Guillermo and Gustavo Barros Schelotto, sought to overtake the leaders with a victory.

The stakes were high, and the Boca coaching staff was concerned about Maradona's readiness to play. Coaches like Esteban Pogany feared that he might be too out of shape, with only a 45-minute appearance against Chilean side Colo-Colo in an international competition as his recent practice.

Despite the doubts, the match went ahead, and tensions surrounding Maradona's reunion with former River teammate and head coach Daniel Díaz added to the pressure. Although Maradona's performance was lackluster, marked by exhaustion and mistakes, his replacement, young midfielder Juan Román Riquelme, proved crucial. Boca won the match 2-1, with goals from Julio Toresani and Martín Palermo, sending Maradona into a frenzy of celebration.

He entered the pitch shirtless, uttering his iconic phrase, "Boca played Boca style and River played River style," acknowledging the match's significance.

The victory secured the Xeneize's top spot on the table, but ultimately, River Plate regained the lead and went on to win the 1997 Torneo Apertura, just one point ahead of Boca. Five days after the match, Maradona announced his retirement at the age of 37, citing his father's request and the constant doping controls and rumors that had taken a toll on his family.

For Maradona, the retirement felt like an anecdote in his illustrious career, but it serves as a powerful reminder of his legacy and the symbolic importance of Boca Juniors versus River Plate. As we approach Sunday, one can only imagine how much more will be at stake for El Diez, who never missed an opportunity to showcase his extraordinary talent and passion for the sport.