The day Carlos Caszely tried to get Maradona off drugs

Carlos Caszely’s legs never shook when it came to finishing in the rival area. His voice also didn’t shake if he had to enter other areas. During his life, he was indeed involved in the most complex cases. Last week, in fact, he had no problem crossing paths and paying a vibrant tribute to Leonel Sánchez, historical idol of the University of Chile. The king of the square meter was not only an authority on the playing field. Off the margins, his words are also felt .

This influence and the quality he demonstrated on the pitch led him to become a reference at the South American level. . His actions in all areas have transcended. And this condition has earned him recognition from leading football personalities in this part of the world. Diego Maradona was on the list.

Caszely defines his relationship with the Pibe de Oro as a “honest friendship “. In this context, knowing the difficulties that his cocaine addiction generated for the Argentine star, he adopted a flag that very few people in the life of the Ten dared to support, probably for fear of losing the advantages linked to homelessness . his figure: confront him for his relationship with cocaine.

“It was many years ago. I remember he came to the Hyatt. I still took the size. I told her that when I left her it would be bad for her. “remember Sporty .

Naturally, the intervention was not comfortable for those around Maradona. “Those who were with him looked at me uglier than the crest ” graphic. The dialogue was short, but energetic. “It was a passing thing. We talk a lot with Diego. We once met in Madrid. That’s why I felt confident telling him what I had told him. “, expresses the one who is considered by many to be the greatest historical reference of Colo Colo.

At this level, Caszely finds a strong response. “It would be nice if you clarified (who you are referring to). You know how he behaved for so many years. On the day of his sad farewell, to say to this man, the whole family, wife, daughters, sons, brothers, sisters, nephews, brothers-in-law, offered me the first handle from his drawer. . This completely removes any doubt that might exist. So I have peace of mind. The Lord will know if a fully active Diego or a semi-active Diego would be better for me, as his illness unfortunately made him be,” responds from Argentina Guillermo Coppola, the historic representative of the former player.

“This is why people who reason, who think, know who I am and how I am,” he insists. “This is why I am totally recognized in the country where Diego is loved more than anywhere else. Napoli may be getting closer, but here, in my place, I am loved, recognized and respected. That’s why I’m not interested in what those who don’t know the story might think. “, reinforces.

“Do you think an environment can go wrong in a situation like this? It would be nice if I clarified, but what do you think? “He insists.

In light of the circumstances that ultimately shaped his life and ultimately cost the world champion his life at Mexico 1986, Chino regrets that the advice proved futile. “I don’t think I understood it much “, he admits. Nor does he accurately reconstruct how Maradona acted in response to this suggestion.”I don’t remember his reaction “, said. This highlights how those who advised the idol dealt with it.”People around me looked at me ugly, but I kept talking to him. “, he says, about a connection that has survived powerful criticism.

The problem, he insists, was much deeper than conversation, advice and even a slap on the wrist. “Your illness is one that if not cured well, problems persist. This happened to him “, he said, several years after the dialogue, with obvious regret. Basically, because, like many, I expected a better (and longer) ending to a story that alternated notable chapters with the ball at the feet and other deplorables outside the limits of the field, the space in which the native of Villa Fiorito could be happy.

Caszely has the best memories of Maradona on a personal level. Between them, there has always been respect for each other’s careers. Physically, there were also testimonies of this appreciation. “He once gave Boca Juniors a draw to Enzo Piero. Imagine what that means to a child. “, he concludes, referring to an object for which any fan of the Argentine legend would pay a golden price.