La ferita eterna di Peter Shilton per la Mano di Dio e perché l'ex calciatore mette in discussione anche il secondo gol di Maradona

Peter Shilton, the former England goalkeeper who played in the 1986 World Cup, has long carried the emotional weight of two controversial goals scored against his team by Diego Maradona. The first, known as La Mano de Dios, where Maradona used his hand to score, remains one of the most infamous moments in football history. The second goal, often hailed as the greatest ever scored, saw Maradona dribble past multiple defenders before slotting the ball into the net. Both strikes, which helped Argentina advance in the tournament, have left a lasting mark on Shilton’s memory, even decades later. In recent months, Shilton has spoken openly about his lingering resentment toward Maradona, particularly regarding these two goals. On social media, he expressed his belief that had Video Assistant Referee technology existed during the 1986 World Cup, neither goal would have been awarded. “If VAR had been around then, none of the goals would have counted,” he wrote. This sentiment reflects a deep-seated frustration that has persisted over the years, despite the passage of time and the eventual passing of Maradona. The tension between Shilton and Maradona dates back to the aftermath of the 1986 World Cup. According to reports, Shilton was not invited to Maradona’s farewell ceremony after the player retired from professional football. While Maradona dismissed the exclusion as a minor anecdote, Shilton took it personally. In interviews, he has described how the lack of acknowledgment stung, especially given the significance of their encounter. “Who would want to attend the farewell of a goalkeeper?” Maradona joked, but Shilton saw it as a slight. The controversy surrounding the two goals has only grown with time. Shilton has expanded his criticism beyond the first goal, questioning the validity of the second as well. During a match in 1986, Maradona bypassed several defenders, including the English defender Glenn Hoddle, who had been fouled earlier in the play. Shilton claimed that while the foul should have been called, Maradona’s skillful execution made the goal impossible to stop. “I can’t take away anything from Maradona’s performance,” he admitted, “but I believe the circumstances weren’t fair.” This sentiment has remained consistent throughout Shilton’s career. In a recent post on social media, he reiterated his belief that England deserved a victory in the 1986 World Cup. “We were cheated by both goals,” he wrote. “If VAR had been available, they wouldn’t have stood.” Despite expressing that he had moved past his anger, Shilton clearly believes justice was denied to his country. Maradona’s death in 2026 added another layer to the emotional complexity of this rivalry. Shilton acknowledged the tragedy, stating that Maradona was “the best player I ever faced.” Yet he also criticized the Argentine legend for never apologizing for the goals. “He never said he was wrong,” Shilton said. “That’s what upset me most.” Over the years, there were attempts to reconcile, but Shilton insisted that he would only meet Maradona if the latter showed remorse. Interestingly, Maradona’s passing occurred just as Shilton was commemorating the 50th anniversary of his debut with England. It was a coincidence that brought together two figures whose careers intersected in one of the most contentious moments in football history. While Shilton has chosen to move forward, the legacy of those two goals continues to shape his perspective on fairness and justice in the game.