Watford to Maradona comparison – player getting bigger promotion

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Rome, Italy 10.03.2025: Hasane Kamara of Udinese, Matteo Guendouzi of Lazio in action at the Olimpico during the Italian Football Championship Serie A AniLive 2024-2025 match SS Lazio vs Udinese Calcio

Hasne Kamara has had two very different spells at Watford over the last few seasons, well, two turned into one.

The left-back joined the Hornets from Nice in January 2022. He played the second half of the season in the Premier League but was then sold permanently to Udinese in the summer.

Shortly thereafter, he was loaned back to Watford before the Italian side brought him back for the 2023/24 campaign.

The 32-year-old is an important part of the Serie A team, having established himself as a regular player over the past three seasons.

The praise has now come from Pierpaolo Marino, who worked closely with the Pozzo family and Udinese from 2019 to 2023.

Marino brings Kamara from Watford

The director spoke to Udinese tonight about a number of things relating to Kosta Rungic’s side. He chose to particularly praise Kamara, who has played 16 times in Serie A this season despite injury concerns.

He highlighted its importance and praised its ability to transcend.

Marino said- relayed by All Udinese: : “When I was here, I followed Watford. Kamara makes crosses with a turn that allows the attacker to score more easily. He crosses with impeccable technique, he knows it, and that’s why he says one assist is not enough.”

He also used a reference to a quote from Diego Maradona and seemed to be indirectly comparing the left-back to the legend.

“This is also true [Lorenzo] Lucca is no longer in the box. Davis isn’t exactly an expert in heading, and neither is Zaniolo. To preach a good sermon also requires a listener.

“Maradona used to say that he crosses with the ball, when the ball comes, the attacker just has to touch it and put it into the net. Kamara has that quality to a certain extent.”

While comparisons to the late Argentinian are exaggerated, Marino has a point. Kamara has shown his excellent crossing ability, assisting four times last season.

Watford made significant gains

This is a way of justifying the signing by Marino himself, as Watford made approximately €19m from the sale.

At the time, Kamara was around 20 years old and the Hornets had spent less than €5m to sign him.

The defender has had a great career and Udinese find themselves tenth in the table. They could still return to Europe and that would be fair reward for the Ivorian’s progress.

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World Cup Legends Part 1: Pelé, Maradona, Cruyff & Yashin #FootballShorts


World Cup Legends Part 1: Pelé, Maradona, Cruyff & Yashin

Football is more than just a sport in India; it is an emotion that unites millions. While the modern era is dominated by Messi and Ronaldo, the foundation of the FIFA World Cup’s grandeur was laid by four immortals. In this first part of our #FootballShorts series, we revisit the icons who defined the beautiful game: Pelé, Maradona, Cruyff, and Lev Yashin.

1. Pelé: The King of Football

Edson Arantes do Nascimento, known globally as Pelé, is the only player in history to win three FIFA World Cups (1958, 1962, and 1970). For Indian fans who grew up listening to radio commentary or watching grainy tapes, Pelé represented perfection.

Bursting onto the scene as a 17-year-old in 1958, his flair and clinical finishing made Brazil the epicenter of football. Pelé didn’t just play football; he turned it into an art form (Joga Bonito). His legacy remains the gold standard for every youngster picking up a football in the maidans of Kolkata or Kerala.

2. Diego Maradona: The Golden Boy

If Pelé was the King, Diego Maradona was the rebel god. His performance in the 1986 World Cup is arguably the greatest individual campaign in sports history. From the infamous “Hand of God” to the “Goal of the Century” against England, Maradona embodied the passion and struggle that resonates deeply with the Indian audience.

Maradona’s connection with India was special, highlighted by his emotional visits to Kolkata, where he was greeted by thousands. He proved that with a ball at your feet, you could conquer the world regardless of your stature.

3. Johan Cruyff: The Architect of “Total Football”

While he never won a World Cup trophy, Johan Cruyff changed how the game is played. The mastermind behind the Dutch “Total Football” of 1974, Cruyff was a player who thought three steps ahead of everyone else.

His signature move, the “Cruyff Turn,” is still taught in Indian football academies today. Cruyff’s philosophy—that football should be played beautifully and intelligently—influenced legendary managers like Pep Guardiola, eventually shaping the modern game we watch in the ISL and European leagues.

4. Lev Yashin: The Black Spider

Football isn’t just about goals; it’s also about preventing them. Lev Yashin, the Soviet legend, remains the only goalkeeper to ever win the Ballon d’Or. Dressed in his iconic all-black outfit, Yashin revolutionized goalkeeping by commanding his penalty area and intercepting crosses.

Known as the “Black Spider,” his heroic saves in the 1958, 1962, and 1966 World Cups showed that a goalkeeper could be a superstar. For many Indian football enthusiasts, Yashin is the ultimate inspiration for why the “Number 1” jersey carries so much weight.

Conclusion

The stories of Pelé, Maradona, Cruyff, and Yashin are the pillars of World Cup history. They didn’t just win matches; they inspired generations across continents, reaching the shores of India where football culture continues to thrive. As we look forward to future stars, we must never forget the legends who made the #FootballShorts of our lives so colorful.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Who is considered the greatest football player of all time?

The debate usually settles between Pelé and Maradona for the 20th century, with Messi and Ronaldo joining the conversation in the 21st century. However, Pelé’s three World Cup titles give him a unique edge.

2. Why is Johan Cruyff famous even though he didn’t win a World Cup?

Cruyff is famous for his revolutionary philosophy of “Total Football,” where any outfield player can take over the role of any other player in the team. His tactical genius changed football coaching forever.

3. Has any goalkeeper other than Lev Yashin won the Ballon d’Or?

No. As of 2024, Lev Yashin remains the only goalkeeper in history to have won the prestigious Ballon d’Or trophy (1963).

4. Did Diego Maradona ever visit India?

Yes, Diego Maradona visited India twice, specifically Kolkata, in 2008 and 2017, where he was treated like a sporting deity by fans.

5. How many goals did Pelé score?

Pelé claimed to have scored 1,281 goals in 1,363 games, though FIFA recognizes a slightly lower tally for official competitive matches. Regardless, he remains one of the most prolific strikers in history.