Big Boots to Fill: The New Maradona, Riquelme, Messi and Beyond

The article explores Argentina's search for a worthy successor to Diego Maradona, who was regarded as the greatest footballer of all time. Many players have been hyped as the new Maradona, but only Lionel Messi has lived up to the expectations. The article describes the struggles of other players with the pressure of living up to the legend of the Argentine number 10 shirt.

Format: Hardback
Length: 352 pages
Publication date: 19 June 2023
Publisher: Pitch Publishing Ltd

Big Boots to Fill is a captivating tale that delves into Argentina's quest to find a worthy successor to the legendary Diego Maradona. During his remarkable tenure as the captain of Argentina and the manager of Napoli, Maradona was widely acclaimed as the greatest footballer of all time. Since then, generations of players in his homeland have been eagerly hailed as the next incarnation of the Argentine maestro. While some of these players achieved remarkable success, others succumbed to the immense pressure and ended their careers in obscure backwaters, playing in lower leagues. It was not until the emergence of Lionel Messi that Argentina finally had a worthy wearer of the coveted title "the new Maradona." This captivating story spans the era between Maradona and Messi, encompassing the journey of numerous highly touted players who have come and gone in between. It explores their struggles and challenges as they strive to live up to the extraordinary legacy of the Argentine number 10 shirt, a symbol of excellence and inspiration. Through vivid anecdotes and insightful analysis, Big Boots to Fill offers a deep understanding of the intricacies of Argentinian football, its rich history, and the enduring impact of Diego Maradona on the sport.

Weight: 484g
Dimension: 145 x 224 x 34 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781801501729