Football's Sun King who came crashing to earth

Diego Maradona and the Statue of Liberty aren't often compared but in the summer of 1986 they both celebrated milestones.

Published on: Dec 29, 2004, 21:07:00 IST

PTI | By Anonymous

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Diego Maradona and the Statue of Liberty aren't often compared but in the summer of 1986 they both celebrated milestones — the Argentine footballing genius almost singlehandedly leading his team to World Cup glory and old Lady Liberty her 100th birthday.

However while she has progressed seamlessly to her 118th anniversary Maradona lies attached to a ventilator in a hospital bed aged just 43 — the culmination of years of drug abuse and unhealthy living.

Maradona's 'Hand of God' goal against England in the 1986 World Cup quarter-final was not dissimilar to the pose of the Statue of Liberty as he stretched up his arm into the air and fisted the ball over goalkeeper Peter Shilton — a second superb individual goal was not to wipe away the memories of the first 'foul' effort.

However while Lady Liberty signifies freedom the barrelchested playmaker has tasted little of that since the moment he lifted the World Cup trophy after defeating the then West Germany in the final in Mexico City.

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