Diego Armando Maradona is a name that still makes the Neapolitan and Argentine squares dream today. The well-known world champion, known for his gestures inside and outside the green rectangle, passed away a few months ago with emotions from all over the world of football. But also the Captain Tsubasa’s mangaka connected to a memory.
In Yoichi Takahashi’s original work, Holly was so inspired by the achievements of the Brazilian Roberto that she decided to continue her football career in Brazil. But as the Captain Tsubasa writer reveals, the main character was actually inspired by the brave Argentine player who played for Napoli and brought so much satisfaction to Azzurri supporters.
In an interview with Revista Libero, Takahashi revealed that Maradona was a great inspiration 1979 with the Youth World Cup, which took place in Japan. These televised games inspired the mangaka who was preparing Captain Tsubasa, his most famous work, right now. But the young man Holly Hutton picked up many of the characteristics of the Mano de Dios.
Takahashi will remain very attached to the footballer and it is not surprising that the author of Holly and Benji dedicated a drawing to the Argentine shortly after his death.