^^^^ excellent post. Agree Ballack was underestimated, absolutely immense player.
Suppose the other thing is It is understandable that a players status is slightly more elevated when they die, like artists, musicians. Maradona was one of the greats, no doubt, of that era.
With VAR now *spits*, a lot of his stuff would have been hauled back for a free kick. eg that wonder second goal against England probably would have been VAR ed back to the foul on Hoddle, as would the first obviously. Not bitter