Diego Maradona, often hailed as the ‘greatest player in the world’, passed away five years ago today. On this solemn occasion, we reflect on his poignant interview with the Mirror.
During our conversation, Maradona shared insights on his early endorsement of VAR, his struggles with cocaine addiction, and his profound passion for both football and family. As Argentina prepares for the 2026 World Cup, where a special coin commemorating his iconic ‘goal of the century’ will be released by bank officials, we fondly remember his decision to engage with the Mirror in 2005, expressing his admiration for English striker Wayne Rooney.
One memorable moment from our interaction was when Maradona, with a playful glint in his eye, responded to a question about coaching young players scoring goals with a simple “I would say good, very good.”
Anticipating the future, Maradona advocated for the introduction of video technology in football, despite acknowledging that it might have nullified his infamous ‘Hand of God’ goal. Despite past conflicts with journalists, he exhibited remarkable politeness during our exchange.
Reflecting on his transformation, Maradona had visibly improved his health and appeared more at ease and content.
In a candid moment, he expressed regret over not spending enough time with his daughter due to his past cocaine addiction, stating, “I was addicted to cocaine. But life is now worth living again. I was consuming myself and wiping myself out.”
When asked to compare himself to football legends Pele and Johan Cruyff, Maradona humorously cited his mother’s opinion that he was the best, adding, “and everyone listens to my mum!”
Five years after his passing at the age of 60, Argentina has issued a special silver coin commemorating Maradona’s famous dribble and goal against England in the 1986 World Cup quarter-final. This remarkable feat, covering 60 yards in ten seconds and bypassing five English players, was voted FIFA’s Goal of the 20th Century.
The Central Bank of the Argentine Republic unveiled the commemorative coin dedicated to the 2026 FIFA World Cup, featuring a depiction of Maradona’s legendary play. This event coincides with the upcoming 40th anniversary of the remarkable goal.
The design of the coin symbolizes a ball passing through the center, representing the love of football. On the flip side, the graphic portrays Maradona’s iconic run and goal against England, leading Argentina to victory in the quarter-final.
The coin measures four centimeters in width, weighs 27 grams, and features a unique “reeded edge.” Additionally, gold coins with a similar design will be produced and distributed globally.
Priced at 10 Argentine pesos, approximately 50p, the commemorative coins hold significant symbolic value, honoring Maradona’s indelible mark on football history.