Maradona told me he would score 'Goal of the Century' before England match, Ex-masseur

Diego Maradona predicted he would score what is now called the “Goal of the Century” before Argentina’s famous 1986 FIFA World Cup quarter-final win against England. His former masseur, Salvatore Carmando, shared this in an interview published by FIFA on Tuesday. This comes as Argentina and England get ready to face off again in the semi-finals of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, where a spot in the final is on the line.

Carmando remembered the moments before the match at Mexico City’s Estadio Azteca on June 22, 1986. He said Maradona had already talked about doing something special. He recalled, “After he scored his second, Diego came up to me, hugged me and said, ‘I told you I’d do it and I did.’ Before the match, he’d said to me, ‘I have to score an amazing goal today. I don’t know how exactly, but somehow I have to do it.’ And that’s just what he did.

“If ever he said he was going to do something, he always would. The same thing happened before a Napoli-Juventus match, when he scored a wonderful goal from an indirect free-kick inside the penalty area.” Maradona scored two goals in Argentina’s 2-1 win over England, starting with the controversial goal known as the “Hand of God” before he made an incredible solo run that is now regarded as the “Goal of the Century.”

Carmando worked for more than three decades on Napoli’s medical team. He said his bond with Maradona went beyond club football. Maradona insisted on bringing him to the World Cup in Mexico as the national team’s official masseur. “In January 1986, Diego told me, ‘Get everything ready, we’re going to the World Cup.’ And so off we went to Mexico together. I was there for almost two months,” he said.

According to Carmando, Maradona saw him as essential for his preparation and recovery during the tournament. He reflected, “It may have been 40 years ago, but things like that never leave you. To think Argentina and England are going to meet again, well, it’s a historic occasion.” Carmando also joked about Maradona’s famous opening goal against England. “Everyone says he scored it with his hand, but that is not true, he scored it with his head,” he said with a laugh.

The former masseur stood by Maradona’s side during Argentina’s winning campaign and later traveled with the team to celebrate their victory. He mentioned, “A million people were waiting for us.” Among the souvenirs from that unforgettable win, Carmando said his most valued item is a replica of the FIFA World Cup trophy.

“Unfortunately, it’s in a bank vault rather than at home, so I don’t get to see it every day, but it is my pride and joy. For me, it represents Diego,” the masseur said. Paying respect to the late football legend, Carmando added, “The best person in the world, a wonderful man who helped countless people.

“Men like Diego no longer exist.”