European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - June 16, 1994, Darmstadt, Hesse                                Thursday june 16, 1994 sports the stars and stripes Page 33 chases exit a  slimmed Down Diego Maradona. A going to shut Mouths by Leonardo Panetta Buenos Aires Argentina apr Diego Maradona the worlds Best known soccer player is heading for his fourth world cup his physical condition marred by injuries and his Hopes set on closing his career in a burst of glory. Maradona 33, played in his first world cup in Spain in 1982, and then captained the Argentine teams that won the cup in Mexico in 1986 and finished second in Italy four years later. Argentine soccer fans acclaim Maradona As the Best player in the country a history and one of the sports most Brilliant stars. Few disagree. But few still believe he is a the Best in the world a As fans still chant at sunday matches in Argentina. A a in a going to shut the Mouths of those who say in a finished a Maradona said recently deftly juggling a practice Ball Between his foot head and shoulders. The leather Ball touched the ground Only after several minutes. A come on Diego. You re great Diego a Maradona repeated out loud in self . V a a in a tired of those who say in a fat that in be lost my reflexes and that in a out of shape a he complained. A a they la see the great Diego at the world cup. Maradona a physical condition has been marked by the passage of time and by drug use. In March 1991, while playing for Napoli in the italian league he tested positive for cocaine and was suspended for 15 months. In a april of the same year he was arrested at a Buenos Aires apartment and charged with Possession and consumption of drugs. His return to the playing Field with Seville of Spain was unspectacular and Argentine coach Alfio Basile did not pick him to take part in world cup qualifying games last summer. Argentina coming off a humiliating 50 loss to Colombia in Buenos Aires was on the verge of being eliminated when Basile giving in to Public demand brought Maradona Back for a Home and Home playoff against australia.7 Young stars Rise As 94 cup dawns by Scripps Howard news service a capsule look at seven soccer super stars Worth watching during world cup 1 Roberto Baggio 27, Italy for Ward 5-6,160 1993 european footballer of the year the first italian to win the award since 1982 because of trademark Ponytail perhaps the most recognizable a International Star except in the . Helped Italy to third place in 1990 world cup in Home country changed teams from Florentina to Juventud and set off l rioting by upset fans recently converted to buddhism which he credits for soccer i successes enjoys Hunting. Gabriel Battistuta 25, Argentina Forward 5-9, 171 with Claudio Caniggia coming off a drug suspension and Diego Maradona battling age injury and controversy a archangel Gabriel figures to be Argentina a key player scored win Ning goal against Australia that clinched world cup Oerth South american player of the year in 1991 plays professionally in Italy known for his powerful right foot but has scored with left considers Mario Kempes hero of Argentina a 1978 world cup title his idol and inspiration. Martin Drahun 26, Sweden Forward 6-1,183 scored seven goals in nine cup qualifying matches Strong performance in Usa 94 will establish him among the elite of the game turned professional at age 18, and in 1988 became first Black player Ever to play for Sweden known As a the Black Pearl a unquestionably the Man to Stop for swedish opponents closest thing Sweden has to a player with a swagger. Andy Moeller 26, Germany midfielder 5-11, 154 could emerge Here As one of the Best two or three players in the world excellent dribbling skills and passing ability nicknamed Turbo for his acceleration alienated Many German fans when he left for Italy to play on team with Baggio scored winning goal in exhibition against Brazil last december developed so Well that Veteran Lothar Matthaus was Able to move from midfielder to libero. Romario Brazil Forward 5-6, 154, creative Forward father recently Kidnap sped but then released because of kidnappers respect for him temperamental Star mown More for relying on instinct and inspiration rather than hard work and ? discipline been known to throw a punch of Dunn a game once called brazilian leg end Pele a mentally retarded before since then Maradona has been a fixture on the team. Maradona has played s4 games with the National team scoring an Argentine record 33 goals including seven in the world cup. He has played in 19 world cup games two behind the record set by Uwe Seeler of Germany. Maradona has said he has a a terrible desire to play in this tournament a so i can retire in style  Jose Sanfilippo who played at the 1962 world cup in Chile says Maradona is a fat As a pig can to move his legs and All he does is stand in the Middle of the Field making Long  Maradona a Loyal admirers although admitting he is not the player he once was insist that what he does is More than enough to make him the most outstanding Man on the Field. A Diego is still great and he will show it at the world cup a said Carlos Bilardo who coached Argentina for the 1986 and 1990 world cups. Later apologizing plays for Barcelona of Spanish league married his 17-Ycar-old Girlfriend on the penalty spot at a Staci urn in Rio in a ceremony that was televised live playing internationally since 1986 known by one name As most brazilian stars arc but officially he is Romario de Souza Faria age 28. Hugo Sanchez Mexico Forward 5-9, 154 still some life left in these 36-year-old legs played in world cup As a teenager in 1978 this will almost certain a be his last professional Competition played in old North american soccer league gained great Fame in Spanish leagues coached by . Coach Bora Milutinovic in 1986 world cup. Carlos Alberto Valderrama Colombia midfielder 5-9, 158 voted Best player in latin american last year debuted professionally in 1981 at age 19, now 32 played on 1990 world cup team scoring one goal known for his striking Carrot coloured afro hairstyle vendors in Brazil Are Selling Valderrama wigs one of the game s Best Ball handlers and passers known As a set up Man for goals. Best american John Harkes Kearny n.j., midfielder 5-11, 165 at least the Best american bom american player Thomas Dooley born and raised in Germany with dual . Citizenship is considered the Best player on . Team but Harkes became the first american to play on an English league cup Champion Sheffield wednesday in 1991 now plays for Derby county missed most of . Exhibitions because of English league commitments More popular in England than . Member 1990 . World cup team age 27. Best of the rest Emilio Butra Gueno Spain a the vulture scored four goals in 5-1 Victory Over Denmark in 1986 world cup Stephane Chapuisat Switzerland just 24 but International Veteran with flair for Spring Marco Etcheverry Bolivia Forward nicknamed a Tel Diablo the Devil but bothered by knee injury Jostein Flo Norway known As the a a Lighthouse because he stands 6-5 Gheorghe Hagi Romania midfielder known As the a Maradona of the carpathians Lothar Matthaus Germany defender Captain Paul Mcgrath Ireland midfielder who overcame six knee operations Majed Mohammed saudi Arabia midfielder and Captain known As the a desert Pele a Thomas Ravelli Sweden 34, most experienced goalie in the Field. Apr Europe s 1993 player of he year Roberto Baggio lends his talents to Italy s Hopes. Family Man Romario of Brazil top left and Andy Moeller of Germany Are foreign stars to watch English league Veteran John Harkes right is Fite photo 3 Bottom left . No. 1