By Paul Kennedy, Managing Editor
Soccer America Magazine
Since he was a little boy in Lyons, France, Youri Djorkaeff dreamed of living in New York. Thanks to soccer, he fulfilled that dream. Djorkaeff, 37, joined MLS's MetroStars for the 2005 season and moved his family – wife and three children – to New York, where they are living near Union Square in lower Manhattan. ''Even without soccer, I would have come here,'' Djorkaeff told the Paris magazine France Football. ''I really wanted to. I wanted to discover life here. For me, New York represents the continuation of my career and the preamble to my life afterward.'' The MetroStars courted Djorkaeff, who played on the French team that won the 1998 World Cup and Euro 2000, for a decade before he finally signed with them this winter. Djorkaeff lived in a hotel for two months before his family found an apartment. He was amazed at all the paperwork required for his family to get settled – ''Our lease agreement is as thick as a phone book,'' he jokes – but he already considers himself an American. ''I have a Social Security number and driver's license,'' he says. Djorkaeff loves New York. ''New York is a European city,'' he told France Football. ''It's really several cities in one, and everyone knows where to meet. For me, it's one of the great mysteries: how these people can come from around the world, bring their culture, bring their habits, sometimes bad, and are so respectful of everyone else.'' Djorkaeff says he surprised by how many New Yorkers recognize him. They often ask him about France. ''They love France but don't dare to say it,'' he says. ''They often ask me why French people don't like Americans. But it's Bush the French don't like.'' Djorkaeff has an option for a second season with the MetroStars. He says he plans on living in New York next year even if contract isn't renewed. Djorkaeff, who scored three goals in his first 10 MLS games, admires Metros coach Bob Bradley. ''He was born in the wrong country,'' says Djorkaeff. ''He's crazy about soccer.'' He says American players are the equal of Europeans physically but their game is too robotic. The one downside is playing on Giants Stadium's artificial turf. At 37 and with a recent history of injuries, Djorkaeff says at first he thought he's made a mistake extending his career. The Frenchman says he's adapting to soccer life in the United States, though some things really get him. ''After each game, about 20 sportswriters show up in the locker room for interviews,'' he says, ''but there's nothing in the papers the next day.''
Edinho arrest Protection for Pele's son
Pele's son Edson Cholbi Nascimento was transferred to an unnamed maximum security prison for his own protection while awaiting trial on drug-related charges that could earn him a 15-year jail sentence. Nascimento, better known as Edinho, was one of 50 people arrested in a drug bust in Santos, where his father played his pro career in Brazil. Edinho, 35, had been locked up in a Sao Paulo police department cell before being transferred to a maximum security facility for his own safety. Authorities feared he might be killed if rival gang members of the gang he was allegedly linked to discovered his presence. Edinho denied he was a drug dealer, saying he started taking drugs after his soccer career ended. He grew up in New York, playing in local youth leagues, before moving to Brazil, where he spent eight years as a goalie at Santos. Prosecutors said wiretapped phone conversations between Edinho and members of a drug gang were material evidence of his involvement. Edinho's lawyers hope to get the charges reduced to possession. Edinho's father broke down at a news conference to discuss the arrest. Pele said he always wanted to communicate to young people the risks posed by drugs but admitted his son was a drug user.
Capitol Affair Totti-Blasi wedding on live TV
Roma superstar Francesco Totti's wedding to TV star Hilary Blasi on June 17 brought Rome's Capitol Square to a standstill as cars were blocked from entering the area. That didn't stop hundreds of Romanisti fans from descending upon the church of Santa Maria dell'Aracoeli, where the wedding took place. Father Leopold canceled all Sunday masses at his church to clear the day for the Totti-Blasi wedding, which was televised live on Sky TG24. The network produced an hour-long special on Totti and Blasi, who is pregnant with their first child, including interviews with Rome's mayor and Totti's schoolteachers and friends. Despite his recent discipline problems – Totti received a three-match ban for spitting at a Danish opponent at Euro 2004 and served a five-match ban for punching an opponent during the 2004-05 Serie A season – Totti remains immensely popular among Romans. At 28, he is entering his 13th season at Roma.
Maradona homecoming Hero's welcome in Naples
Who says you can't come home? Fourteen years after leaving Naples, Italy, in disgrace, Argentine great Diego Maradona returned home to the site of his greatest accomplishments at the club level. Maradona, who has battled a cocaine addiction since being tested positive for the drug in 1991, returned to Naples in June for the testimonial game of former Napoli teammate Ciro Ferrara. A banner read ''Welcome back, Diego, our unique love,'' as Maradona made his halftime entrance into the Sao Paolo Stadium wearing the No. 10 Napoli jersey he wore as a player, throwing kisses during his lap of honor to the 80,000 fans who gave him a standing ovation. Maradona led Napoli to Italian league titles in 1987 and 1990 and scored 114 goals in 258 games in his Napoli career that was ended by a 14-month suspension for cocaine use. Maradona, who took a front-office position at Argentine club Boca Juniors in late June, retired in 1991. Despite his battle with cocaine, he said in an interview with the Naples daily Il Mattino that he had taken ''the right way … with the help of my family.'' n
This story originally appeared in the July 18, 2005 issue of Soccer America Magazine