Argentina coach Diego Maradona’s selection of first XI at the World Cup may not go down well in the legend’s household. Maradona will incur the wrath of his younger daughter, Giannina, if he omits Sergio ‘Kun’ Aguero from the line-up because she is married to the Atletico Madrid forward. Aguero and Giannina have a son, Benjamin.
On current form, Maradona is expected to field Diego Milito, Inter Milan’s hero in the Champions League final, and reigning World Player of the Year Lionel Messi up front. Carlos Tevez, who has emerged the most popular player in Argentina in a recent survey, is the third in the pecking order. Only when the above-mentioned trio fails to fire, will Maradona turn to Gonzalo Higuain of Real and Aguero. Giannina will have to keep her fingers crossed about the decision of her maverick father, who appears confused in his new avatar as manager. Handing Aguero a starting place will guarantee Maradona peace at home, but the manager has to deal with charges of nepotism if his son-in-law fails in front of goal.
The Netherlands coach Bert van Marwijk is also grappling with the same son-in-law problem ahead of the World Cup. His daughter Andrea is married to combative Dutch midfielder Mark van Bommel. Van Marwijk’s headache may be less severe than Maradona’s because he can find a place for his son-in-law in the starting line-up without causing a stir in the Netherlands. Van Bommel is known for his hard-nosed style and he can provide the steel to complement the silk offered by more inventive Wesley Sneijder and Rafael van der Vaart at the heart of Oranje midfield.
If sons-in-law pose problems for Maradona and Marwijk, US coach Bob Bradley has to decide on a place to his son, Michael. At least, Bradely (Sr) has history to fall back on. He can cite the example of Paolo Maldini being a constant fixture in dad Cesare’s 1998 World Cup Azzurri squad. In addition, pacifying a son is a lot easier than shutting the mouth of a son-in-law! And, no father will want his daughter to suffer.