ERASMIA, South Africa (AFP) - Diego Maradona thought Thomas Mueller was a ballboy when they first met, a demeaning snub which has fired-up the German star to plot Argentina's downfall in Saturday's World Cup quarter-final.
The 20-year-old Bayern Munich midfielder scored twice in Germany's 4-1 hammering of England last Sunday and is a contender for the tournament's best young player.
But he was virtually unknown outside of Germany when he made his debut in a 1-0 friendly defeat to Argentina in Munich in March and attended the post-match press conference as his country's great new hope alongside the Argentina coach.
Loving the Germany Vs Argentina Vibe.
This is the testiest match-up yet. Can't wait to see Maradona get slapped down like the diva he is. I don't want Germany to win the Cup, but I'll gladly root for them to see off Argentina.
Dude Muller is a toe-blower. The shoots the ball so weird. His shots are horrible. His goal were 1 v 0 for gods sake. I would give it to Mesut Ozil for youngest player.
Really want to see Germany win
Maradona is such an annoying drama queen
the ball boy will show em what he has got in him