The last thing this World Cup needed was a stampede. Alas, it got one. Before a friendly between Nigeria and North Korea, all hell broke loose, and 15 people were trampled, including two children.

It's a terrifying tableau, certainly, but fortunately, no one was killed. Expect some sharp and well-deserved criticism for FIFA and South African officals for not anticipating a rush to the stands by the thousands of fans who were trying to take advantage of free admission.

While that's happening in South Africa, and much of the world's media are flying to it, the Los Angeles Times published a long and fascinating look at Diego Maradona. It's full of interesting praise and criticism for the man as both player and coach. For example:

"The years go by and Maradona continues to be the most popular athlete in the world, the most loved and also the most hated," said Eduardo Galeano, an Uruguayan intellectual and author of the seminal "Soccer in Sun and Shadow."

"Maradona is a very popular god because he is the most human of the deities, a dirty, arrogant, overbearing, deceitful, swaggering, vicious god, and all this serves only to multiply his prestige. The problem with Maradona is that the gods don't retire," Galeano said. "It's very difficult to return to anonymity after being adored in the highest altars."

If Argentina advances deep into the tournament—and, with Leo Messi, the world's best player, it's very much possible—expect Maradona to 1) do something outrageous and 2) be one of this World Cup's most transfixing stories.

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