Entertainment
Maradona: A Blessed Dream – Argentine biopic captures uncanny likeness of a footballing icon
Juan Palomino is one of the three actors playing the legendary footballer (Picture: Amazon Prime Video)
There’s a brand new sporting biopic to check out on Amazon Prime Video, with Maradona: A Blessed Dream taking a look at the remarkable life of Diego Maradona – and the biopic captures an uncanny likeness of a footballing icon.
The 10-part Argentinian series focuses on one of the greatest footballers to ever play the game, who died at the age of 60 in 2020, and its strength is in its impressive casting.
Argentine actors Nazareno Casero, Juan Palomino and Nicolas Goldschmidt all play the footballer at different points in his life, and while they all capture a likeness, it’s Juan who bears the strongest resemblance in his performance.
The programme is at pains to capture Maradona’s humble beginnings as a child, but it’s the later stages of his life where the series captures the uncanny likeness of a footballing icon – with Juan stepping into the role as the footballer reached the later stages of his life.
Physically, the resemblance is striking, with the first episode following Juan’s incarnation of Maradona as he suffers a medical emergency.
It’s not the first time his story has been explored on screen. Asif Kapadia’s excellent documentary from 2016 delved into the darkness behind the public figure, and presented an in-depth look at the circumstances which had damaging implications behind the scenes.
Things are slightly different in this dramatisation, and while it doesn’t shy away from exploring the drugs and the womanising, it’s clear that it’s a very different version which celebrates the positive things in his life, and the impact he had on others.
The Spanish language series tells the story of his humble upbringing in Villa Fiorito, which stars of the show believe will surprise fans who are less familiar with his personal life.
It’s the scenes showing the later stages of his life, starring Juan, where the dramatisation is at its most impressive. And it’s real strength is relaying the reverence the country has for its greatest sporting star, with the actors breathless with admiration for his on-field exploits.
The new show tells the story of the footballer’s life (Picture:Stefano Montesi – Corbis/Corbis via Getty Images)
The actor spoke about the privilege of playing Maradona (Picture: Amazon Prime Video)
Speaking to Metro.co.uk, Juan said about Maradona and his legacy in his home country: ‘Argentina is in every breath, in every heartbeat of Madonna.’
‘[The series] is a look at the circumstances and context of the time he was living… It was my honour to play someone who actually held truth to power. He was a marathoner who talked about all the economic situations and economic, social and political context of that time he had to live.’
More: Amazon Prime Video
He added: ‘He was a public figure. He had a huge responsibility because of being one of the greatest public figures… at a time in which political, economic and social crises were unfolding everywhere. So there’s this identity of who he was and who he was.’
Maradona: Blessed Dream will launch on Amazon Prime Video on October 29.
Got a story?
If you’ve got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the Metro.co.uk entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@metro.co.uk, calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we’d love to hear from you.
MORE : Lionel Messi fined for Diego Maradona tribute during Barcelona match
