The Immortal

Every World Cup has one player that stamps his mark on the tournament. Romario owned USA 94. Who can forget Zidane at France 98, heading two first-half goals to put France up 2-0 in the final? Then there was Ronaldo at Korea/Japan 2002 scoring 8 goals and tying Pele's career Brazil cup scoring record in the process. These are the only World Cups I've had the privilege of seeing. But from what I gather, nobody ever had as much influence on a World Cup as Argentina's Diego Maradona at Mexico 1986. Along the way he scored what is regarded as the most spectacular goal in World Cup, if not football history. To give you an idea of the awe and passion the goal inspired, here is the English language translation of Argentinian commentator Victor Hugo Morales as he called the goal:

…passes the ball to Diego, now Maradona with the ball, two people on him,Maradona touches the ball, the genius of soccer heads to the right, and leaves the third and passes to Burruchaga…Always Maradona! Genius! Genius! Genius! ta-ta-ta-ta-ta-ta…GOAL!! GOAL!!!I am going to cry! Oh, my God! How beautiful soccer is! What a goal! Diego! Maradona!I am crying, forgive me please….Maradona, with a memorable run, with the most beautiful play of all time….cosmic podge…. which planet are you from? You let it seem so easy,and the whole country is a closed fist, is screaming for Argentina…Argentina 2 - England 0…Diegoal, Diegoal, Diego Armando Maradona…Thank God, for soccer, for Maradona, for these tears, for thisArgentina 2 - England 0….

Ok, if that's not the funniest shit you've ever heard, I don't know what is. In the same game against England, Maradona also scored the infamous "Hand of God" goal.

How good was Diego Maradona? Here are the words of former Juventus standout Zbigniew Boniek: "Against Juventus for Napoli, he was so brilliant he made us sick. Some of our players wanted to kick him to get some respect, but they could barely touch him - he was flying around between them, doing whatever he wanted to do." So how good was Diego? So good he made grown men cry and physically ill.

When I first saw footage of his magical goal against England, I wasn't that impressed because it looked so easy. But upon closer inspection it is absolutely incredible, starting with his first touch of the ball near midfield. It looks so casual and easy because he made it that way, and did so all by himself against almost an entire world-class team on the biggest stage of all. Incredible. Who will stamp his mark on this tournament? Most signs point to Ronaldinho. Or could it be Henry? Or what about a fully fit Rooney? I can't wait. We can only hope there is a goal nearly as spectacular as this one. Here is the footage:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ANc7RZ2q7zE&search=Maradona

Joga Bonita indeed. Enjoy!