Diego Maradona was one of a kind. A legend of the game, the Argentine forward is widely considered to be one of the greatest footballers of all time.

His YouTube highlight reels are full of dazzling dribbles, his unique body shifts and goals that take your breath away. One goal, however, is revered as arguably the greatest goal of the 20th century, and it is a goal that Maradona puts all down to his opponents.

What is the ‘Goal of the Century’?

It was June 22, 1986, and Argentina were facing up against England in the quarter-finals of the World Cup in Mexico. The match became infamous not only for its high stakes but also for the controversy behind Maradona’s first goal, now labelled as the ‘Hand of God’.

The game came just four years after the Falklands War between England and Argentina, adding to the already intense rivalry between the two countries. Just four minutes after Maradona’s infamous Hand of God goal, he would score a goal which no one could have any complaints about, as he produced a moment of pure brilliance.

Maradona picked the ball up and dribbled past five England players – Peter Beardsley, Peter Reid, Terry Butcher, Terry Fenwick, and Butcher again – before taking it past Peter Shilton in goal and slotting it home. He waltzed past every single challenge like a man on a mission, and there was no doubt the Argentina forward had produced one of the single most breathtaking moments in football history.

What made the goal so special was the speed of it, as Maradona had collected the ball from his own half and carried it over 60 meters, riding challenges from England defenders before calmly rounding Shilton in goal. The combination of speed, control and composure is what earned this goal the ‘goal of the century title’.

The two goals from Maradona would result in a 2-1 win for Argentina as they progressed to the Semi-Finals, and they would go on to win the whole tournament.

After the game, fans were in awe of what they had watched, and his mesmerizing run and finish would later be voted by fans in a FIFA poll as the ‘Goal of the Century’.

Maradona’s shirt from the game went on to be auctioned at a staggering £7.1million in 2022.

“I don’t think I could have done it against any other team”

As part of a documentary titled ‘History of Football, Maradona explained how the goal may never have happened if he hadn’t been playing against England.

It was England’s ‘noble’ trait that had let Maradona slip through their defence and score the greatest goal of the century at the Azteca Stadium. Maradona said:

Despite his first goal being a clear handball, Maradona expressed his appreciation for the respect shown by England’s players after the match.

“I liked the respect the English showed me when they came to congratulate me. Glenn Hoddle. Terry Fenwick. Shilton, however, was the exception.”

Shilton had expressed his anger in the past over Maradona’s first goal being allowed to stand, after the small Argentine player had outjumped the goalkeeper and punched it into the net.

Maradona said, “He won’t let me have the goal because he says I’m dishonest. That’s Shilton for you. Tell me, if the ball crossed just over the line, and you swept it away without the referee seeing it had gone over, would you go and tell him it was a goal?

Shilton, however, has recently come out and put his frustrations to rest 40 years after the infamous goal.

Manchester United may get a clear path to wrapping up a perfect Casemiro replacement deal, but that doesn’t mean a deal will be easy to strike. The Red Devils are on the lookout for a holding or hybrid midfielder this summer following Casemiro’s departure, which leaves a sizable hole in the middle of the park.

Michael Carrick is being given a big budget this summer, and it’s clear he wants to sign a midfielder or two, with a holding midfielder seen as the priority, while United could pivot to more of a hybrid midfielder who can do the defensive and offensive work.

One option that has emerged as an alternative to reported prime target Matues Fernandes is Felix Nmecha, and there is a fresh update in that particular race.

Fresh Nmecha twist as rivals drop out

Borussia Dortmund midfielder Felix Nmecha, who has quietly emerged as one of the more reliable midfielders in Europe, is a player United are said to have kept an eye on. The midfielder did sign a new contract earlier this summer, which could complicate a deal, but it is not out of the question that the Germany World Cup star is sold at the right price this summer.

And in good news for United, Newcastle United, who were rumoured to be interested in an £86million deal, have been ruled out of the race by the Chronicle Live.

The Tyneside outlet reported: “Newcastle, quite simply, aren’t in the market for players costing that sort of money. Having spent a whopping £240million last summer – part-funded by Alexander Isak’s British record sale and the exit of Sean Longstaff, Miguel Almiron and Lloyd Kelly – their budget is a lot tighter this window.”

That means Newcastle won’t be in the competition for Nmecha, opening the door to United. A deal could be hard to reach with Dortmund this summer, but £86million might just do it, and United would be spending a similar figure to sign the aforementioned Fernandes this summer. That could give Carrick and Co a decision to make.

Nmecha on his way to being ‘one of the best’

Nmecha is quickly emerging as one of the best up-and-coming midfielders in the game, now 25 years of age. His World Cup performances have turned heads this summer, and Germany boss Julian Nagelsmann saw it coming.

“Felix worked hard and trained well during rehab,” said the Germany boss earlier this year. “He rebuilt his muscle strength and gained exceptional stability in his knee – more than before. During his 20-minute run-out, his first action after nine weeks out was a sharp turn and a 40-metre burst of speed, and I thought: ‘That’s it—he’s back.’

“In the last game, he worked his socks off for 90 minutes. He coped with that very well too. (He’s) a top player who has everything it takes to be one of the best midfielders in the world. He has so much talent, so much pace, so much dynamism. He’s healthy, he’s fit, he has no problems, and he’ll help us enormously to play a good tournament. We already have a world-class player.”

Liverpool have failed to convince Yan Diomande to replace Mohamed Salah as the Ivorian winger is prioritising a move to Paris Saint-Germain, according to David Ornstein of The Athletic.

Ornstein reports that Diomande has chosen PSG as his next club if he leaves RB Leipzig this summer. The in-demand attacking gem had been at the top of the Reds’ wishlist to replace Salah following the Egyptian’s exit.

Diomande is one of Europe’s most highly-admired wonderkids, and he starred for Leipzig last season. The 19-year-old bagged 13 goals and 10 assists in 36 games across competitions.

Diomande Chooses PSG Over Liverpool

REUTERS/Annegret Hilse

Diomande prefers a move to PSG because he believes this gives him a better opportunity to lift trophies regularly and win the Ballon d’Or. He has been convinced by the project overseen by club president Nasser Al-Khelaifi and sporting director Luis Campos.

The Ivorian is also keen on playing under Luis Enrique and he is therefore set to reject Liverpool and hope for a move to the Parc des Princes to take place. For Andoni Iraola, it’s a massive setback as the Leipzig star had been the club’s top target.

Liverpool presented Leipzig with a package worth €100million (£86.8m; $115m) for Diomande. The Bundesliga club rejected this and insisted on a €130m fee for their exciting winger.

The German outfit are trying to get Diomande tied down to a new deal with his current contract expiring in 2030. If he does depart Red Bull Arena this summer, it seems likely that he’ll be headed to the French capital.

Liverpool Will Have to Look Elsewhere

via Reuters

Iraola and Liverpool’s transfer chiefs will have to go back to the drawing board and decide on an alternative following Diomande’s decision. They do have three options in mind and one of them boasts Premier League experience.

GIVEMESPORT senior correspondent Ben Jacobs has confirmed that the Reds have Lille’s Matias Fernandez-Pardo, Koln’s Said El Mala and Brighton & Hove Albion’s Yankuba Minteh on their shortlist. He told The Redmen TV that the club are “actively working on alternatives” and “want to be informed on the valuation of those targets.”

Perhaps the most enticing of the trio is El Mala, who has been on several Premier League clubs’ radars. The 19-year-old flourished in the Bundesliga last season, posting 13 goals and five assists in 36 games across competitions.