Diego Maradona’s son says England match ‘not a normal game’ and urges Argentina fans to remember Falklands dead

Diego Maradona’s son says Wednesday’s World Cup semi-final between Argentina and England is not a normal game and claims that « the brothers who died in the Falklands come to mind ».

Diego Sinagara, one of Maradona’s eight acknowledged children, spoke on the eve of the last four clashes in Atlanta despite concerns about violence between supporter groups due to decades of political and sporting differences.

One of the biggest came in 1986 when Maradona put the ball into the net before scoring a brilliant second goal as Argentina beat England 2-1 in Mexico City in the quarter-finals.

The game was played against a backdrop of heightened tensions, coming just four years after the Falklands War, in which Argentina invaded the British overseas territory in the South Atlantic. The 74-day conflict ended with Argentina’s capitulation and the islands remained under British control. Over 900 servicemen were killed, including 649 Argentines.

Maradona died in 2020 but is still revered in his homeland for his solo goal against England at the Azteca 34 years earlier.

It will be a « different game » for everyone from Argentina – Maradona’s son

This is what Sinagra said in an interview with the Spanish publication Marca: « My father wouldn’t see it as a normal game or just another game. We can say a lot of things but it won’t be normal. For all the Argentinians and Maradonas, it will be a different match where everything about the Falklands and all our brothers who died there comes to mind. Also what happened to my father in 1986. My old man won a historic match and nothing has been normal against England since. »

Argentina are the defending world champions but have struggled to hit top gear in reaching the last four, although the same can be said for England.

Sinagra believes that the match at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium will be a draw. He added: « It will be difficult for our national team in particular. It is true that England are strong, but be careful, you have to stand up and beat the world champions. It will be difficult… for both of us. »

Sinagra, 39, who was born two months after his father cheated against England, says he has a lot of affection for Argentina’s current hero, eight-time Ballon d’Or winner Lionel Messi.

« The truth is that I never had the opportunity to meet Messi, but I carry him in my heart, like all Argentines, and he deserves to win the World Cup again, » Sinagra said.

« He is the best of ‘people’ because my old man has no comparison with anyone on this earth, he was a football alien. But Leo deserves everything. I have a lot of affection for Leo and his family, he is the captain of my national team. I have a lot of respect for him and I hope God gives him this opportunity to play one more final… and win it of course. »