10 greatest big match footballers of all time

#3 Diego Maradona

The 1986 World Cup was undoubtedly headlined by Diego Maradona

Love him or hate him, you cannot ignore him. Diego Armando Maradona is one of the greatest if not the greatest player ever to grace the game. Maradona played in four World Cups, but the one he is remembered most for is the 1986 World Cup in Mexico.

Maradona captained the Argentina team to victory in the 1986 World Cup where he absolutely stole the show thanks to his brilliant play and dribbling skills. Maradona completely made the 1986 World Cup his own. His most famous game was against England where he scored the infamous “hand of god” goal and followed it up 4 minutes later with what is dubbed as the “best goal of all time” when he single-handedly dribbled past the whole English defence to score.

He followed it up with another stunning brace in the semi-final against Belgium and it was his assist in the final which helped Argentina overcome West Germany 1-0. Maradona’s stunning displays in that World Cup ensured his place in the history books and there has been no player since who has had more of an impact in a single World Cup.

Maradona also had a hugely successful career at Napoli where he played a starring role in Napoli’s two Serie A triumphs. His career was later ruined due to drug and cocaine use, but there is no denying the fact that Maradona always loved playing on the big stage.