You can see it every time you watch snippets from the 1986 World Cup. One man against the world. Every touch that he took, every pass he made, every tackle he hurdled, every malevolent foot that sent him tumbling to the turf, every joyous goal celebration. Diego Maradona's face, never less than expressive, was a barometer for Argentina's fortunes.


Uruguay's forward Luis Suarez (in blue) scores a goal against England in Sao Paulo on Thursday. Pics/AFP 

The agony of the South Korea game, when the opposition tactics seemed to consist of little more than kicking lumps out of him, the ecstasy after the second goal against England, and the tears minutes after a perfectly weighted pass to Jorge Burruchaga had resulted in the decisive goal in the final.