Quote · The Louis Theroux Podcast
S8 EP1: Gary Lineker on England’s losing streak, leaving the BBC, and his frosty relationship with Cristiano Ronaldo
Where this was said
Argentina, Maradona and the Hand of God
At 43:00 · chapter starts 39:10
The 1986 quarter-final against Argentina is framed as probably the most famous game in football history — played four years after the Falklands War with Maradona at his absolute peak. Lineker is clear that within the squad, they were focused on football rather than politics, though they were aware of the charged context. The match produced two of football's most iconic moments within minutes of each other: the handball that became the Hand of God, and the Goal of the Century. Lineker reveals that the linesman later admitted in a book he was fairly sure it was a handball but lacked the nerve to flag. He also describes spending three days with Maradona filming a documentary, comparing the experience to the Life of Brian's Messiah scenes, and noting he managed to get Maradona to privately confess it was with his hand. He describes Maradona as 'a lovely, really great guy' despite the chaos of his life. Lineker's own header in that game — the goal nobody remembers — is mentioned with gentle irony. [1] — Gary Lineker "The linesman who failed to flag Maradona's handball in 1986 later admitted in a book that he was pretty sure it was a handball — he just di…" 41:50
The linesman who failed to flag Maradona's handball in 1986 later admitted in a book that he was pretty sure it was a handball — he just didn't have the nerve to call it. Lineker also got Maradona himself to confess during a documentary.
Spending three days with Maradona was like the Life of Brian, Lineker says. Everywhere he went was like a Messiah procession. He was also, Lineker insists, genuinely lovely, thoughtful and funny — a complicated man made complicated by an impossible life.
