Longtime athletic trainer Fernando Signorini stated that finding a successor to Lionel Messi or Diego Maradona remains an unpredictable challenge, describing future superstars as “genetics miracles” that may take generations to reappear. Speaking across recent media appearances reported by El Comercio Perú and regional outlets, the veteran physical trainer analyzed the physical longevity of modern icons and the structural issues facing international soccer.
Genetics Miracles and the Search for New Icons
Assessing when Argentina might produce another generational talent, Signorini compared the difficulty to finding rare greats in other sports. “It can come out tomorrow or maybe not for centuries. They are miracles of genetics, right? Just like Roger Federer in tennis, Tiger Woods in golf or Michael Jordan in basketball,” he said, according to El Comercio Perú. Signorini noted that exact life conditions must align perfectly alongside raw talent.
Disciplined Habits Support Messi's Physical Durability
Signorini attributed Messi’s remarkable durability to disciplined daily habits, family support shielding him from immense public pressure, and an absence of major career-ruining injuries. When evaluating whether Messi could have extended his international career further, Signorini told El Comercio Perú that the forward easily possessed the physical capacity to reach the next Copa América if he had chosen to do so.
Signorini Contrasts Modern Sports Science with Maradona's Era
Reflecting on his eleven years and nearly 4,000 days working closely alongside Diego Maradona, Signorini contrasted past and present athletic conditions. In an interview covered by Radio LV11 during the Santiago del Estero Book Fair, where he presented his book Diego desde adentro, Signorini defined his role not merely as a physical conditioner, but as a “trainer of people who play football.” He recalled that Maradona invented the role of a personal trainer following a severe injury caused by Andoni Goikoetxea in 1983. Signorini argued that with modern sports science, nutritional standards, and medical protections, Maradona easily could have played competitively until age 40 or 50.
Critique of Modern Soccer Governance
Beyond athletic performance, Signorini leveled sharp criticisms at global soccer administration and commercialization. Speaking with El Comercio Perú, he criticized the manipulation and instrumentalization of the player and the sport as a global spectacle.
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