Today marks 40 years since Maradona’s iconic performance in Argentina’s 2-1 victory over England during the quarter-finals of the 1986 World Cup at Mexico City’s Azteca Stadium.
On June 22, 1986, he netted both the notorious “Hand of God” goal and the breathtaking “Goal of the Century,” skillfully dribbling past nearly the entire England team. This date is celebrated in Argentina as the Day of the Argentine Footballer.
More than five years after his passing, Maradona continues to be an omnipresent figure among Argentina supporters, standing as the only true competitor to Lionel Messi’s immense fame.
As fans assembled last week for a gathering in Kansas City, which has been serving as Argentina’s base during the tournament, massive flags referencing Maradona waved through the crowd.
One banner featured him alongside Messi with the single word: “simbiosis.”
The enthusiasm followed the team to Texas, where supporters on Sunday chanted that “Maradona is greater than Pele,” teasing their Brazilian rivals.
At a press conference prior to the match, coach Lionel Scaloni reflected on the memorable 1986 event.
“I think I was at my grandmother’s place because we all lived there. There were so many of us, and we didn’t have our own home. The TV was very small,” Scaloni recalled, being just eight years old at the time.
“It was emotional. I didn’t realize tomorrow was the anniversary of that famous goal, so let’s celebrate it. We will see it everywhere tomorrow. We might shed a few tears too,” Scaloni shared with reporters on Sunday.
Austria, the opponents for Monday, also hold a significant place in Maradona’s legacy.
He scored his sole international hat-trick against them in a 5-1 victory in 1980. The teams met again in 1990, each time with Argentina entering as defending world champions.
Maradona passed away on November 25, 2020, at the age of 60, due to a heart attack while recovering from brain surgery to remove a blood clot.
