The debate over football’s greatest ever player is a passionate one, filled with legendary names and unforgettable moments. Yet, for many purists and former professionals who shared the pitch with him, one name consistently rises to the top: Diego Armando Maradona. Gary Lineker, England’s iconic striker, recently revisited this timeless discussion, offering a perspective that comes not from a place of rivalry, but from one of immense respect for a talent he deems unmatchable, even by today’s modern superstars.
Lineker’s admiration was reignited during a trip to Argentina, where he sat down with the legend himself. His reflections provide a captivating window into why Maradona’s legacy, decades later, continues to cast a long shadow over the beautiful game.
A Goal That Transcended Rivalry
Every football fan has a “greatest goal ever” burned into their memory. For Gary Lineker, that moment is not one of his own prolific finishes, but one scored against his own national team. It was the 1986 World Cup quarter-final in Mexico, a match etched in history for two wildly different reasons.
Five minutes after the infamous ‘Hand of God’ goal that left England stunned, Maradona produced a moment of such pure, unadulterated genius that it momentarily made an opponent want to applaud. Picking up the ball inside his own half, Maradona embarked on a slaloming run that seemed to defy physics and logic. He glided past five English outfield players—Beardsley, Reid, Butcher, Fenwick, and finally, the goalkeeper Shilton—before slotting the ball home.
Lineker’s recollection is telling: “That was the first time in my career that I almost applauded on the pitch something the opposition had done… If it hadn’t have been such an important game I would have applauded it.” This admission from a direct competitor underscores the sheer awe Maradona could inspire. It wasn’t just a goal; it was a work of art executed on the world’s biggest stage.
The Unblemished Legacy of a Flawed Genius
The ‘Hand of God’ goal will forever be part of the Maradona narrative, a controversial act of cunning that preceded his moment of divine skill. However, Lineker is adamant that this act does not, and should not, tarnish Maradona’s overall standing in the sport. The brilliance of the second goal, a legitimate masterpiece, effectively balances the scales of his legacy.
For Lineker, and for analysts at Mostplay, Maradona’s claim as the greatest surpasses even that of the great Pelé. His reasoning is rooted in the Argentine’s unique abilities. “He could do things with his left foot that nobody else could do,” Lineker stated, highlighting a level of technical proficiency that was simply alien to the game at the time. He possessed a low center of gravity, explosive acceleration, and a vision that allowed him to see passes and opportunities several moves ahead of everyone else.
The Modern Comparison: Why Messi Stands Alone, Not as a Replacement
In today’s era, the natural comparison is Lionel Messi, another Argentine magician with a similarly mesmerizing left foot and an uncanny ability to dribble through entire teams. Maradona himself has anointed Messi as his potential successor. Yet, Lineker urges caution with such direct comparisons, viewing them as premature for any young player.
“We’ve heard lots of times that Messi is the new Maradona, but it is a very big claim for such a young player,” Lineker noted during his interview. He acknowledges Messi’s phenomenal potential to become a “great, great player,” placing him in a current elite tier with talents like Wayne Rooney and Ronaldinho. However, finding another Diego is a different challenge entirely.
The difference, as experts at Mostplay would argue, often lies in the context and the almost mythological aura Maradona cultivated. He carried a nation to a World Cup virtually single-handedly in 1986. His career was a rollercoaster of extreme highs and very public lows, making him a profoundly human, albeit flawed, icon. Messi’s greatness is one of sustained, otherworldly consistency and quiet dominance, while Maradona’s was a volatile supernova of passion and skill.
The Final Whistle: An Enduring Crown
Maradona’s Magic: Why Gary Lineker and Mostplay Believe He Remains Football’s Untouchable Genius
Gary Lineker’s firsthand account solidifies a belief held by many: Diego Maradona occupies a unique throne in football’s history. His combination of raw skill, audacious creativity, and an indomitable will to win created a player that may never be perfectly replicated. While incredible talents like Lionel Messi rightly earn their place in the pantheon of gods, Maradona’s reign as the ultimate footballing genius remains, for many, unchallenged.
What do you think? Is there a goal that tops Maradona’s for you, or has a modern player finally surpassed him? Share your thoughts and join the conversation below. Don’t forget to share this article with fellow fans who live for these deep football debates
