In the often-cutthroat world of professional football, relationships are typically transactional. But for Diego Maradona, the sport`s incandescent genius, and his longtime manager, Guillermo Coppola, their connection transcended contracts and commissions. It was, as Coppola puts it, a love story—albeit one famously devoid of a particular physical dimension. A recent interview with the seasoned agent peels back layers of history, revealing a bond as complex, passionate, and volatile as Maradona himself.
El Representante: A Life Intertwined with Genius
Guillermo Coppola, now 76, is not merely a name in Maradona`s epic saga; he is a narrator, a protagonist, and by his own admission, an architect of the modern football agent. In Argentina, he`s «El Representante,» a title so iconic it inspired a successful TV series. Coppola recounts a life of walking a tightrope, much like the legendary player he guided. His commitment to Maradona was absolute: he once abandoned over a hundred other clients to focus solely on «El Pibe de Oro.»
«I am El Representante, the man who, in my country, turned this activity into a profession. Today there are hundreds, thousands of agents who take off their hats to me: `chapeau`. For the rest, I am an imperfect man, a lover of beauty. I have had lights and shadows like many, and a unique privilege: I spent part of my life next to the greatest.»
This «greatest» was, of course, Diego Maradona – a figure Coppola describes as «the genius. Ecstasy and torment. The God of football, but also of spectacle.» Maradona’s journey, particularly his indelible impact on Naples, is central to Coppola`s reflections. «One must return to Naples, the most beautiful city in the world, because it is she who explains Maradona,» Coppola muses, recalling a city that truly understood and worshipped its adopted son.
An Unconventional Love Story: «Everything But Sex»
The most striking revelation from Coppola touches on the nature of his relationship with Maradona. «With Diego, we were a real couple, and between us, only sex was missing,» he once famously stated. He elaborates on this, detailing how their professional alliance from 1985 to 1990 evolved into something far more personal after their reconciliation post-1994 World Cup.
«From 1985 to 1990, ours was a purely professional relationship, full of many successes. Then we separated abruptly and found each other again after the `94 World Cup. From there, everything was different: a sentimental relationship was born, a need to be together. An almost physical love. We kissed, we hugged, we shared everything, space and air. Only sex was missing between us, it`s true, but if it had happened, I would admit it without problems…»
This candid admission speaks volumes about the intensity and intimacy of their bond, defying traditional definitions of friendship or business partnership. It was a fusion of souls, navigating the dizzying heights of fame and the perilous depths of Maradona`s personal struggles. The volatile nature of this bond led to further separations and reunions, each time reinforcing the unbreakable thread connecting them.
Through Thick and Thin: Accusations, Imprisonment, and Unwavering Loyalty
The relationship was not without its severe trials. Coppola vividly recalls periods when he became «the main enemy,» facing accusations of theft from Maradona, particularly concerning his daughters` money. His response was characteristic: «What did I do in the face of those accusations? I reported myself, nothing was missing, not even a dollar.» This act of transparent self-incrimination highlights his unwavering loyalty, even when slandered by the man he considered family.
Coppola`s journey with Maradona even led him to unjust imprisonment for 97 days on fabricated drug trafficking charges. During this dark period, it was Maradona and his family who stood by him. «Diego and his family were my bastion, they never left me alone,» he affirms, a testament to the reciprocal loyalty that defined their most challenging moments.
The Best Diego: Beyond Mexico `86
When asked about Maradona`s peak on the field, Coppola offers a fascinating, slightly contrarian view. While many would point to the mythological 1986 World Cup, Coppola’s choice is different.
«Everyone might think of the `86 one that made him eternal, but instead I say the one from the following season, who won the first Scudetto in Naples. And then the wild and carefree Diego of the beginnings, that of Argentinos Juniors where the myth was born.»
This perspective underscores the deep understanding Coppola had of Maradona`s essence – not just as a global icon, but as the raw, pure talent who brought joy to the streets of Naples. Naples, for Coppola, was «simply destiny» for Maradona, a place where he found extreme love and reciprocated it in kind, forever becoming a Neapolitan.
A Promise Unkept and an Enduring Legacy
Coppola`s greatest regret is a promise Maradona couldn`t keep: «He had guaranteed me that he would carry my coffin, and instead the opposite happened.» This poignantly encapsulates the manager`s deep affection, wishing for his friend to have outlived him, to enjoy his children and grandchildren.
Maradona`s tragic, solitary passing continues to haunt Coppola. He refrains from speculating on whether more could have been done to save him, deferring to the justice system. However, he acknowledges the profound shift since Maradona`s death, noting the subsequent successes of Napoli and the Argentine national team.
«It`s not a coincidence, they win for him, they honor him that way. Indeed, it is football itself that honors him.»
This belief in Maradona’s posthumous influence speaks to the enduring, almost mythical, power of his spirit. Coppola’s final words for Diego are simple, yet profound: «I would tell him thank you. Thank you for passing by here. And I would tell him that I love him, as always and perhaps more.» It is a testament to a relationship that defied categories, a bond forged in the crucible of genius and humanity, leaving an indelible mark on football and on one man`s heart.
Ewan Marwood