1. Diego Maradona, 1986
Just four years earlier, Argentina and England had been at war over the sovereignty of the Falkland Islands. Casualties were high on both sides in some of the bloodiest battles seen anywhere since the end of World War II.
With tensions still high between the nations, fate decreed that they were drawn together in the quarterfinals in Mexico City.
Aged 25, Maradona was at his peak, running at defenses with devastating pace and skill. In the 51st minute, one such surge resulted in the ball looping into the air off a defender, before Maradona punched it into the net just ahead of the advancing goalkeeper Peter Shilton.
Incensed England players claimed handball -- and the TV replays and photos of the incident were conclusive -- but the goal stood.
Maradona was to go on and score one of the greatest goals in history as Argentina won the game 2-1 on their way to eventually lifting the trophy.
Maradona, now Argentina's national coach, later admitted what he had done, famously claiming it was the "Hand of God," and so maintaining a rivalry between the countries which stands to this day.
He later wrote in his autobiography that the incident was "revenge" for the Malvinas war: "We blamed the English players for everything that happened, for all the suffering of the Argentine people."
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Originally Posted by kazuya
i think they will maybe not even pass Group. even if Messi wins world cup he plays with way better players in Argentina team as Maradona then.
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