Some of the comments above are laughable. If Shilton had made his punch the hand of god would never have been a thing or if the referee/ lineman’s had done their job properly. Can’t understand why some people can’t even acknowledge his footballing genius but rather focus on an ‘incident’ that happened 34 years ago. How have you all slept at night since?
I re-watched the Asif Kapadia documentary about ‘Maradona last night about his time in Naples. Highly recommend it.
That second goal he scored against England on that pitch I don’t think anyone other player in the history of football could have scored it. His performance in the semi final was equally as great.
I remember my dad telling me about the Argentina team of 78 with Kempes, Luque, Passerella and a little boy that was Maradona. Would have loved to have seen that team play ‘live’.
His place in football history is secured and for the vast majority he was a genius that I doubt we will see again in our lifetime.
I'm not sure Maradona played in '78.
I remember my first ever game at Wembley, he played as a 19 year old in a friendly against England in 1980, when we beat them 3-0. He was the new kid in that side, so I son't think he would have been established in the team in 78.
Regarding the hand of God goal, that was Shiltons' chance to punch the ball away & knock seven bells out of him into the bargain, yet Maradona actually out-jumped him.
Losing to that goal would certainly have stuck in the craw, back then football was nowhere near as cynical as it is today.
But the second goal was genius, even though strangely I don't remember enjoying it much at the time.
He's certainly not a player you want kids to look up to, but his incredible natural talent was undeniable.
