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 The series, which was being
filmed for Amazon Prime Video when Maradona died
https://www.reuters.com/
article/soccer-argentina-maradona-death-idINKBN2852JQ
of a heart attack in November 2020, tells the
story of his rise from humble origins on the
outskirts of Buenos Aires to global superstar
who battled alcohol and drug addiction.
"Maradona: Blessed Dream" mixes archive footage
with dramatised scenes from his life over 10
one-hour episodes. It will premier in Argentina
and around the world on Friday.
Four different actors play Maradona at varies
stages of his life, and others appear as former
players, coaches, agents and family.
"Would he have liked it?" Nicolas Goldschmidt,
one of the actors who plays Maradona, said in an
interview with Reuters. "I hope with all my
heart the answer is yes."
The famously unpredictable Maradona approved the
script before his death, prompting speculation
that some of the details will surprise.
It certainly kicks off in dramatic fashion, with
a 40-year-old Maradona on a beach, overweight
and out of breath. About to be hospitalized
after overdosing on cocaine, his business
manager Guillermo Coppola tries to hide the
event from the world's media.
HIGHS AND LOWS
Maradona's highs are well known https://www.reuters.com/article/uk-soccer-argentina-maradona-obituary-idUKKBN2852LG:
the successful years with Italian club Napoli
https://www.reuters.com/article/soccer-argentina-maradona-naples/maradonas-relationship-with-naples-went-beyond-football-idUSKBN28538A,
his spells with Boca Juniors, and of course the
historic performances that helped Argentina win
the 1986 World Cup https://www.reuters.com/article/soccer-argentina-maradona-hand/soccer-genius-with-his-feet-many-english-will-remember-maradona-for-his-hand-idINL4N2IB3IR.
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 But the lows – his battle with
drugs and obesity – and the numerous
controversies that seemed to follow him wherever
he went, are not ignored.
"I think there are a lot of things that are
still not known and that we are going to
discover because this series deals with private
and intimate moments," said Jean-Pierre Noher,
one of the actors who plays Coppola.
The series was filmed in Argentina, Spain,
Italy, Uruguay and Mexico and has already
stirred debate in his homeland, where Maradona
is a folk hero and considered as the greatest
footballer of all time.
His former wife Claudia Villafane went to court
to get some scenes removed and has said she will
wait to see the final cut before deciding
whether to take legal action.
Mercedes Moran, who plays his mother in the
show, said when people see it that would help
dissipate the concerns.
"I think there's something about Diego, some
feeling, some light, something of the best of
him," she said. "That is what we have tried to
celebrate with this story."
(Reporting by Lucila Sigal, writing by Andrew
Downie, Editing by Rosalba O'Brien)
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