“A little with the head of Maradona, and a little with the hand of God.” 

With the match locked at 0-0 early in the second half, Maradona exchanged passes on the edge of the box before a poor clearance sent the ball looping high into the air. As England goalkeeper Peter Shilton rushed forward to claim it, Maradona leapt alongside him and, with what some have since called divine intervention, redirected the ball into the net. The goal stood, despite England’s protests, and instantly became one the most iconic and debated moments in football history. 

After the match, Maradona famously described the goal as being scored “a little with the head of Maradona and a little with the hand of God.” 

Still the Goal of the Century 

What happened next is why the match remains unforgettable. 

Just four minutes after opening the scoring, Maradona collected the ball inside his own half and began a run that seemed impossible. Accelerating through midfield, he glided past a string of England players before bursting into the penalty area. With only Peter Shilton left to beat, Maradona calmly rounded the goalkeeper and steered the ball into the net, completing one of the greatest solo goals football has ever seen. 

The entire move lasted just 11 seconds. Over a distance of more than 55 metres, Maradona touched the ball repeatedly while evading virtually half the England team, scoring an unforgettable solo goal. In 2002, fans voted it the “Goal of the Century” – a fitting title for a moment that continues to define footballing brilliance. 

Even teammate Jorge Valdano understood the significance of Maradona’s moment, “At first, I went along with him (in the attack),” he said. “Then I realised I was just another spectator. It was his goal and had nothing to do with the team. It was Diego’s personal adventure, one that was totally spectacular.” 

Together, the two goals captured everything that made Maradona unforgettable: unpredictability, confidence, controversy, and genius. In the space of four minutes, he produced two of the most famous goals the sport has ever seen – one debated endlessly, the other universally admired.  

Argentina would go on to lift the trophy, with Maradona at the centre. Across seven matches, he carried Argentina to the summit and was named player of the tournament all while wearing his trusted PUMA KING boots.  

The Boot Behind the Brilliance 

The PUMA KING football boot cemented its status even more in 1986. First introduced in 1966, the KING had already earned its place on pitches around the world. But it was Maradona’s performances in Mexico that elevated it to icon status. Worn during one of football’s most memorable individual campaigns, the silhouette became synonymous with flair, confidence, and fearless self-expression. 

Forty years later, the legacy continues. The PUMA KING remains an important part of PUMA Football and returned in the new 2026 SHOWTIME colourway – created for the next generation of players born to stand out.

Yo soy PUMA 

While the quarter-final against England remains the defining image of Maradona in PUMA KING boots, his legacy was built over far more than a single afternoon in Mexico. 

Maradona joined PUMA in 1979 and remained with the brand throughout his entire professional career, forming one of football’s most enduring player partnerships. His connection to PUMA was not just commercial but personal, reflected in iconic campaigns and images that captured his identity as both a player and a global figure. From early advertisements declaring “Diego Maradona is PUMA” to signed tributes such as “Yo soy PUMA,” the bond between player and brand became part of football culture itself. Even after his retirement, PUMA continued to celebrate that legacy, most notably with a special collection released for his 50th birthday.

On the pitch, Maradona’s rise began in Argentina, where he made his professional debut at just 15 years old and quickly established himself as one of football’s brightest talents. Between 1978 and 1980, he finished as the top scorer in Argentina’s top flight five times and was named South American Player of the Year twice. 

International success followed in 1979 when he captained Argentina to the FIFA World Youth Championship title and won the Golden Ball as the tournament’s best player. A few years later came his crowning achievement on the world’s biggest stage in Mexico. 

At club level, Maradona also transformed Napoli’s fortunes. He led the Italian side to their first-ever Serie A (at the time- the best league in the world) title in 1987, followed by a second championship in 1990 and UEFA Cup glory in 1989, cementing his status as one of the most influential players in the club’s history. 

The famous four minutes against England may have defined a tournament, but they were only one chapter in a career that left an indelible mark on football.