Diego Maradona, widely regarded as one of the greatest football players in history, passed away five years ago today. On this day, we reflect on his heartfelt interview with the Mirror.
During our conversation, Maradona shared his early endorsement of VAR, discussed his struggles with cocaine addiction, and expressed his deep passion for both football and his family. As Argentina prepares for the 2026 World Cup, where a special coin celebrating his iconic ‘goal of the century’ will be released, we fondly remember his decision to engage with the Mirror back in 2005, where he also praised England’s Wayne Rooney.
I vividly recall Maradona’s jovial response when asked how he would react if a young player scored a goal during a coaching session – he humorously replied, “I would say good, very good,” with a twinkle in his eye. Despite his famous ‘Hand of God’ goal, Maradona was a proponent of introducing video technology into football, showcasing his forward-thinking mindset.
Reflecting on his transformation over the years, Maradona had notably improved his health, appearance, and demeanor. He candidly admitted regret for not spending more time with his daughter, attributing his past struggles with cocaine addiction to a period of self-destruction.
In a lighthearted moment, when asked to name the best football player ever between Pele, Johan Cruyff, and himself, Maradona jokingly replied that his mother believed it was him, emphasizing the influence of maternal support.
Five years after his passing at the age of 60, Argentina has issued a special silver coin commemorating Maradona’s legendary goal against England in the 1986 World Cup quarter-final. The coin captures the iconic dribble where Maradona evaded five English players in a stunning display of skill.
The Central Bank of the Argentine Republic unveiled the commemorative coin, dedicated to the 2026 FIFA World Cup, showcasing the historic moment of Maradona’s goal. The upcoming World Cup, marking 40 years since that memorable event, will celebrate the enduring legacy of Maradona’s performance.
The coin’s design features a ball passing through the middle, symbolizing the love of football, with inscriptions highlighting Argentina and the FIFA World Cup 2026. On the reverse side, the graphic depicts Maradona’s incredible run past English players to score the second goal in the quarter-final match.
Maradona’s remarkable goal paved the way for Argentina’s victory in the 1986 World Cup, where they eventually triumphed over Germany in the final. The coin, measuring four centimeters in width and weighing 27 grams with a reeded edge, will be available for purchase globally with a symbolic value of 10 Argentine pesos.
This tribute to Maradona’s enduring legacy on the football world serves as a poignant reminder of his extraordinary talent and impact on the sport.