England national team pay respects to late Diego Maradona

Back in 1986, Diego Armando Maradona was already considered one of the greatest soccer players of all time. However, it wasn’t until 6/22/1986 that he became the biggest legend in Argentina’s sports history, and one of the toughest rivals England could ever face.

Maradona and Argentina faced the British in the quarterfinals of the FIFA World Cup 1986 in Mexico. The Abliceleste weren’t favored but El Pelusa took it upon himself to avenge his nation’s suffering after losing the Falklands war against England in 1982.

Number 10 had the greatest game of his impressive career by scoring a brace to lead Argentina past England and onto the semifinals, including the infamous ‘Hand of God’ goal and the greatest goal in World Cup history as well.

England’s National Team Pay Respect To The Late Diego Armando Maradona

That’s why it was such a nice gesture from England to just bury the hatchet and bid farewell to the very guy that killed their World Cup aspirations 34 years ago, deeming him ‘a legend of the game’, and for very good reasons.

Maradona’s rise to stardom skyrocketed even more after his iconic performance vs. England. Ever since that day, he was known as a God among men, and one of the most beloved, iconic, and respected people in Argentina and among soccer fans, even if he may not be the biggest fan favorite for the British.

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The rollercoaster life and career of Diego Maradona

Up to this day, some people still debate whether Maradona is the greatest player of all-time ahead of Lionel Messi, Alfredo Di Stéfano, Cristiano Ronaldo, Pelé, among others. And while that’s not for us to decide, it goes without saying that he’s – by far – one of the savviest, most skilled, and greatest entertainers to ever do it. For better or worse, there will never be another Diego Maradona.