Rossi and Maradona represented the best of 1980s soccer

In the span of just two weeks, the world lost Diego Maradona and Paolo Rossi, two players linked because they represented the best of 1980s soccer.

The deaths of Diego Maradona and Paolo Rossi over the past two weeks has left the sports world mourning two of soccer’s greatest players.

Rossi and Maradona both won a World Cup. Rossi led Italy to the title in 1982 and Maradona followed that up four years later by leading Argentina to the trophy.

Both Rossi and Maradona had vastly different characteristics. Rossi was a pure striker, a goal-poacher and opportunist in front of the opposing goal. Maradona was a playmaker, setting up teammates as well as a dead-ball expert from outside the box.

Rossi was small and skinny. Maradona was short and stocky. Both didn’t have the physical attributes most think would make for a successful soccer player. Instead, both defied the odds. Both became World Cup champions. In doing so, they would inspire generations of future players.

Rossi and Maradona represented the best of 1980s soccer and became household names across the planet thanks to their explosive exploits at the World Cup. Both Rossi and Maradona also won titles in Italy’s Serie A, with Juventus and Napoli, respectively.

What made Diego Maradona and Paolo Rossi so beloved?

Both players were despised by Brazilian fans, especially Rossi. At the 1982 World Cup, Rossi’s six goals made him the tournament’s top-scorer and led Italy to a third title in Spain. His hat trick against Brazil to eliminate what is widely considered one of the best teams of that decade remains legendary.

Rossi knew where the ball would go before opposing defenders would. That allowed him to use his speed and lightening quick feet to score goals.

Maradona was also a visionary on the field. He, too, could get around defenders with ease and score goals that seemed impossible. That’s what he did when he led Argentina to their second World Cup in ’86.

Those of us who remember the 1980s, and grew up watching soccer during that decade, remember both these players well. Rossi was the first player I admired. I was only five years old at the time, but Italy’s victory at the ’86 World Cup remains a very vivid memory. It was the first time I saw my father cry. I remember that we celebrated the night away in the street near my grandmother’s house in Naples, the Italian city of my parents’ birth where we vacationed each summer.

Only a few years later, in 1987, Maradona would lift Napoli to their first-ever Serie A title. He’d do it again just three years later. Those remain the only two Italian league titles Napoli have ever won. Once again, my family celebrated those championships, this time from our living room halfway around the world in New York City. Once again, we shed tears.

Rossi played for Juventus, Napoli’s bitter rival. Rossi and Maradona faced off against each other in the mid-80s just as the rivalry between these two clubs intensified. Rossi and Maradona even battled one another on the national team level. It was at the 1982 World Cup that Italy defeated Argentina 2-1. Both players were in the starting lineup.

Four years later, Argentina and Italy ended up in the same first-round group. That game ended 1-1. Rossi, who would retire a year later, was on the bench for that match. Maradona, in his prime, started and scored Argentina’s goal that day.

Both are no longer with us. Rest in peace Paolo and Diego. Thanks for the memories.