Memories are often blighted or influenced by circumstance, age and timing. We all tend to look back in a nostalgic way to our youth; it's a natural way of reminding ourselves of how simple it all was.

No complications, no worries about work, relationships, mortgages or the state of the country. If we could all watch the most unpredictably fluent ball game in the world without the other hassles in life our perception of what we had witnessed would be different. 

The first memory I hold of Diego Maradona was in 1986 'cheating' the ball over Peter Shilton's head and into the net. Being only 10 years old I was instantly influenced by the commentators. I wondered who this "cheating", small and squat man was, and how dare he do something like that in front of the watching millions.

'If ever a one-man team won the World Cup, it was Argentina in 1986'


Then I witnessed pure genius. I was spellbound. The ball was stuck to his feet, the movement and pace incredible and the England team seemed to be moving in slow motion by comparison.

Having been my primary memory it was rather unfortunate for me. I did not realise at the time how huge Maradona was in terms of footballing talent. I expected that level of skill to be on display in every match that I watched.

The man had it all. His vision and passing was perfection. You could not get him off the ball, his free-kicks were amazing. If ever a one-man team won the World Cup, it was Argentina in 1986. The debates are endless; everyone has their own special memories.

Pele, Johan Cruyff, Franz Beckenbauer, Bobby Moore, Bobby Charlton, Ferenc Puskas, Zinedine Zidane and now Ronaldinho. I was not even born to witness Pele or Cruyff. Watching highlights just ain't the same.

Each generation, thankfully, has had a genius to watch and never forget. I will never forget the goals that Maradona scored in 1986. I look back now and I actually think his goal against Belgium was better. I watched him play for Napoli as much as possible.

It is thanks to Maradona that I am so happily obsessed with football. I am sure this is the same for millions of now adult men around the world. My expectations are so high after watching Maradona that sometimes I feel let down by what i see.

I don't care what he is/was like off the field. It means nothing to me. Yes, he is an arrogant and troubled man but that does not affect my life. My memories of that man are football; and football that made me happy.

A true superior being compared to anyone else on the footballing field in his time. No-one could touch him at his peak. No-one.