When Diego Maradona locked horns with the Tartan Army

When Diego Maradona locked horns with the Tartan Army

Diego Maradona is one of the greatest footballers ever to have played the game. The mercurial midfielder was one of the most technically gifted players of his generation, but he also had a steely will to win and a winner’s personality that many admired.

The Scottish national team came face to face with Maradona on more than one occasion. If you’re a fan of the Tartan Army but never got to watch the Argentinian magician in the flesh, read on as we take a misty-eyed look back at Maradona’s brief dalliances with Scotland in the 70s and 80s.

Maradona flies into Hampden as a teenage prodigy

The first glimpse of Maradona in Scotland was in 1979, when Argentina travelled to Glasgow to face Scotland in an international friendly. The Argentines were still basking in their glory of winning the 1978 World Cup and their appearance at Hampden Park, Scotland’s second-largest stadium, ensured a capacity crowd. Even the most passionate Scottish football fan would admit part of the reason for turning up was to witness the star talent of Maradona.

He was only 18 years of age at the time of this game, but he was already hot property both domestically and abroad. Maradona shone throughout the contest, scoring a magnificent solo goal as part of a comfortable 3-1 victory for Argentina. Although the Scottish football fans are proud and passionate about their team, they are also football fans in general and capable of recognising brilliance when they see it. Maradona oozed confidence and ability, with the Scottish backline getting nowhere near him for the majority of the contest.

Scotland and Maradona meet again ahead of the 1986 World Cup

The second time Scotland came up against Maradona, he was arguably in the pomp of his career. Diego and the rest of the Argentina team were preparing for another big assault on the 1986 World Cup, which would feature Maradona’s infamous “Hand of God” goal against England.

The hopes of a nation lay in Maradona’s hands. Seven years on from meeting him as a fresh-faced teen, Maradona was the captain of his country and the saviour of their team. Scotland’s warm-up friendly with Argentina once again showcased Maradona’s growing influence. Although he couldn’t inspire the Argentines to victory, with Scotland claiming a creditable draw, he kept Scotland’s backline honest throughout with a string of piercing dribbles and slide-rule passes. It all served as a precursor to the masterclass he would deliver in the 1986 World Cup.

His heroics for Argentina cemented him in football folklore for eternity, establishing him as a cult figure among football casuals, as well as those more serious about the 'beautiful game'. Maradona's iconic moves aren't just commonplace on TV in football documentaries. His image has weaved its way into many other unexpected places, including the iGaming industry. His officially licensed slot is available to sample with UK-licensed sites. The game was designed by Blueprint Gaming, a British studio which has a knack of securing the rights to celebrate important people in popular culture through the medium of online slots.

Aside from Maradona become a superstar on the global stage, he enjoyed a magnificent club career too. Most notably with Italian side, Napoli, where he helped the southern Italy club to a brace of Serie A Scudettos, a Coppa Italia and even a UEFA Cup title.

Diego Maradona’s legacy

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In Naples, Maradona was more than a footballer, he became something of a demi-god to the locals. He was viewed as a beacon of hope and defiance for a city so often marginalised in Italy. In recognition of his achievements in a Napoli jersey, the club sought to rename their stadium to the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona following Maradona’s untimely passing in November 2020. 

When Maradona passed away on 25th November 2020, it sent shockwaves through world football. Argentina went into a state of national mourning. This is a nation which views football as a religion and Maradona was one of their leading lights. His passing saw millions take to the streets of Argentina in honour of their beloved “Pibe de Oro”, which translates to “Golden Boy”.

Even the Argentinian government declared three days of national mourning. The Tartan Army, which has always appreciated football greatness, also paid its respects during this time. Although Maradona’s fleeting battles with Scotland are a byline in his magnificent career, Scottish fans who were there at Hampden Park in 1979 and 1986 can proudly say they witness one of the all-time greats of world football.