Diego Maradona’s legendary status is inextricably linked to the 1986 World Cup quarter-final against England, a match forever etched in football history for his infamous ‘Hand of God’ goal and the subsequent “Goal of the Century.” Yet, decades later, the Argentine icon made a surprising admission, revealing he and his teammates were “scared” by England substitute John Barnes during the tense encounter.
Maradona’s recollections, made in 2017, offered a rare glimpse into the psyche of a player often seen as invincible. The match saw Argentina triumph 2-1, with Maradona scoring both goals. The first, a blatant handball, was quickly followed by a breathtaking solo effort that saw him dribble past multiple English defenders before slotting home. Argentina would go on to lift the World Cup trophy that year, a victory Maradona never apologized for, especially regarding the controversial opener.
“I am not sorry for scoring with my hand. Not sorry at all! Not then, not thirty years later… not on my death bed,” Maradona declared, according to The Mirror.
Barnes’s unexpected impact
Despite his own heroics, Maradona confessed to a moment of vulnerability when England introduced John Barnes as a substitute. Barnes, a tricky winger known as one of the greatest dribblers of his era, entered the fray and immediately changed the dynamic of the game. His presence evidently rattled the Argentinian side.
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“Barnes came in as a substitute and made our lives difficult,” Maradona recalled, as reported by GiveMeSport. “Every time I see him he burst out laughing, as if to say, ‘Boy, I sure scared the shit out of you guys!’ And, it’s true, Barnes did scare the shit out of us, but that was towards the end.”
Barnes’s introduction sparked a late surge from England, which saw Gary Lineker pull one goal back, setting up a nervy finish for Argentina. The match’s intensity extended beyond the final whistle, with Maradona recalling a post-match drug test interaction with England defender Terry Butcher, who was visibly furious about the ‘Hand of God’ goal.
Maradona’s candid admission, made over three decades after the event, adds a fascinating layer to one of football’s most iconic matches. It highlights that even the greatest players can feel the pressure and fear the talent of an opponent, a sentiment rarely expressed by the fiercely competitive Argentine legend.
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