Five years after the world lost a footballing genius, the memory of Diego Maradona burns as brightly as ever. The legendary Argentine, who died from heart failure at 60, is being honoured in a uniquely fitting way: his iconic 'Goal of the Century' against England has been immortalised on an official commemorative coin.
A Legend Remembered: Exclusive Mirror Interview Recalled
On this poignant anniversary, we look back at an emotional and exclusive interview Maradona gave to the Mirror in 2005. Contrary to reports of his difficult relations with the press, he was impeccably polite, having lost weight, gotten fitter, and appearing a completely different, more relaxed person.
He spoke candidly about his past struggles, stating simply, "I was addicted to cocaine. But life is now worth living again." He expressed deep regret about not spending more time with his daughter, a consequence of his former lifestyle.
In a moment of pure Maradona charm, when asked who the greatest player of all time was—Pele, Johan Cruyff, or himself—he didn't hesitate. "My mum said it's me," he replied with a twinkle in his eye, "and everyone listens to my mum!"
Ahead of His Time: VAR Support and a Cheeky Confession
Remarkably, Maradona was years ahead of his time in his support for video technology in football. This was despite the fact that VAR would have instantly disallowed his infamous 'Hand of God' goal from the same 1986 match.
His wit was on full display after the formal interview. As he prepared to coach youngsters, our reporter asked what he would say if a child punched the ball into the net. With that characteristic glint, Maradona said, "I would say good, very good." He also spoke of his admiration for England's own Wayne Rooney, showing his appreciation for talent beyond his homeland.
The 'Goal of the Century' Coin: A Fitting Tribute
The Central Bank of the Argentine Republic has issued a special silver coin to mark the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup, which will be the 40th anniversary of his legendary goal. The coin's main motif is a hand-drawn graphic of the play that led to what was voted FIFA’s Goal of the 20th Century.
In that unforgettable 1986 World Cup quarter-final moment, Maradona covered 60 yards in just ten seconds, dribbling past five English players before slotting the ball past goalkeeper Peter Shilton. This made the score 2-0, with Gary Lineker's later consolation goal for England ending the match 2-1.
A bank spokesman described the design: "The design has a ball going through the coin in the middle, which is a metaphor for the love of football." The reverse side graphically charts the goal from the moment he picked up the ball behind the halfway line to the final shot.
The coin itself is four centimetres wide, weighs 27 grams, and has a 'reeded edge'. While its symbolic value is 10 Argentine pesos (about 50p), the bank has also produced gold versions with a similar design for sale worldwide. Argentina went on to win that 1986 World Cup, adding a second trophy to their 1978 victory.
