When Maradona ruled the world

Caught in time: Maradona puts England out of World Cup

Diego Maradona is arguably the greatest footballer to ever have played the game, and with the Argentina legend back on the international scene we thought we'd take the opportunity to remember the greatness of the man.

No footballer has courted as much admiration or derision as Maradona. Sublimely gifted with the ball, the diminutive genius also had the ability to lift his team-mates to a level far above their everyday standard as he led Argentina to World Cup glory in 1986 before helping Napoli win two Serie A titles and the Uefa Cup.

Whatever his ability, many will always remember him as a disreputable cheat whose footballing genius was a mere sideshow. Perhaps, Maradona's career was perfectly encapsulated in a single game. 90 minutes that highlighted his both the extent of his genius, and his flaws.

With the aftermath of the Falklands War still fresh in everyone's mind, Argentina dumped England out of the World Cup with Maradona almost single-handedly winning the match and ultimately the World Cup. He played every minute of every game, scoring five goals and making five others.

His goals in that game will never be forgotten, nor will his strike against Belgium in the same tournament, so sit back forget about the controversy and just enjoy some footballing magic. We may never see his like again.

Here are his best and worst bits, feel free to share your favourite memories of the man.

Video: Maradona's greatest moments: goals, tricks and even fights

Video: The 'Hand of God' and wonder goal against England in 1986 

Watch: Napoli, 1984-1991 

Watch: 1994 World Cup - goal against Greece

Comments

[Gilbert Phiri]

It is only a jaundiced eye that would define Maradona solely by the so-called 'hand of God`. He completely outclassed England on that day in 1986 and due credit must be given by the English press. No mortal that has ever played the game comes close to Diego. Pele and Zidane are a distant second. What he did with the ball at his feet can only be done using hands by our modern footballers!

[Lucas Bongarra]

I am happy to see Diego doing well and being involve with the national team since Diego was, is and will be the Football itself !

[Adam Digby]

Diego Armando Maradona, quite simply the greatest 20 letters in world football. Pele had the team mates to support him, & no serious effort at club football throughout his career. El Diego not only one a world cup single handedly (bad choice of words I know!) he also led a small club to a league title. This is a huge achievement, even more so when you see he did it in such a tough league, against the likes of Platini's Juve, & with a club who before & since have bounced between the top 2 divisions in Italy. To also lead the club to UEFA Cup victory is testament to Diego's genius. As for his being a cheat, look at it in context - an Argentinian against England in the 80's? Why would he not do all he could to win that game, & if the ref & linesman dont see it, then how can you blame him? As for drugs it is widely known he was taking cocaine from his time in Barcelona, which surely makes his feats for club & country even more remarkable?

[Alex]

He is regarded as a cheat only in the UK. He is a legend everywhere else!

[Martin]

I had the privilege of watching Diego play with his national team and can assure you he was a freak of nature. I have never seen, and doubt will ever see again, anyone dominate a sport like Diego dominated football. He is simply a genius, born and raised for it; the Mozart of football.

[shorehamview]

He may indeed have been a fine player, but he was also a lying cheat and a fat coke-head. If he'd been properly drug tested he would have been banned from the 86 World Cup, and so the "Hand Of A Cheating Weasel/God" incident would never occured.
Comparable to Pele? More like Pete Doherty.

[balbir]

I think you'll find he is a legend in Scotland as well.

[Edward Mulcahy]

I dont see how people can even mention Maradonna and Ronaldo in the same sentence (oops I just have!). There was no protection from the referees back then; he was subject to some filthy fouls but just got on with it. He also showed immense loyalty by staying at Napoli for so long. Compare this with Ronaldos behaviour over the summer off the pitch and his diving; rolling around and imaginary card brandishing on it!

[Ez Reeves]

A footballer for me is some one who dose not cheat in anyway everyone seems to forget that we had a genius i thought much better than mara/cokeheadcheatbag(if he is the greatest of all footballers then those pepole who put him there are very blind) Geroge Best beats the rest he did not need any help from god his feet were enough

[Stephen Nixon]

George Best was a good player but wouldnt lace Maradonas boots. The man was an alcoholic who quit playing in his mid 20ies.. How can you compare this with Maradona. His hand of God was against England which makes it all the more sweeter...

[jamie]

The greatest!! A player who shows passion for his country unlinke some of our lot

[Jide]

Paul Scholes scored a hat-trick against Poland a few years ago. He used his hand to score one of the goals, the England team had no issues accepting this goal and Scholes is a great footballer.

Diego Maradona was blessed with genius took, two average teams to the pinnacle of world football. No other player in the history of football has achieved that, George Best never even reached a world cup.

I was doing my O'levels in '86 and Maradona dominated that tournament and no other player as dominated a world cup tournament since.

Thanks for the memories Diego and goodluck with the future

[Chau]

He's idol for many many people. Should put Maradona on dictionary.

[Michael]

Getting a yellow or red card is cheating, therefore 99% of all footballers have cheated. To remember Maradona as a cheat sounds like sour grapes!

[Kashif]

Maradona was absolutely brilliant player. No player has such skills as he was. I wish him the best as a coach.