Diego Maradona

Argentina fans, players and coaching staff kept Diego Maradona close to their hearts on Monday as the reigning world champions faced Austria in their second Group J match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup in Dallas, with the late football icon’s presence as vivid as ever.

The occasion carried added significance as June 22 marks exactly 40 years since Maradona produced one of the most memorable performances in World Cup history during Argentina’s 2-1 quarter-final victory over England at Mexico 1986.

On that day, Maradona scored both the controversial “Hand of God” goal and the legendary “Goal of the Century”, weaving past multiple England players before finding the net. The anniversary is commemorated in Argentina as the Day of the Argentine Footballer.

More than five years after his death, Maradona remains a central figure among Argentina supporters, standing alongside Lionel Messi as one of the nation’s most revered football icons.

As fans gathered in Kansas City, Argentina’s tournament base, during the opening week of the World Cup, giant banners featuring Maradona’s image and references were displayed.

The tributes followed the team to Texas, where supporters continued to honour the 1986 World Cup winner ahead of Monday’s clash against Austria.

Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni also reflected on Maradona’s unforgettable goal against England while speaking before the match.

“I think I was at home, at my grandmother’s house, because we were, I don’t know how many of us were living there; we didn’t have our own home. It was a very small TV,” Scaloni recalled.

“Emotional. I didn’t know tomorrow was the anniversary of that great goal, so let’s enjoy it. We will see it everywhere tomorrow. We’ll cry a little too.”

Austria also holds a place in Maradona’s international career. The Argentine legend scored his only international hat-trick against the Austrians in a 5-1 victory in 1980.

Maradona died on November 25, 2020, at the age of 60, after suffering a heart attack while recovering from brain surgery. (Vanguard)

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