Diego Maradona Jr. slams Argentina manager over England clash comments

Diego Maradona Jr. has fired back at Argentina manager Lionel Scaloni for calling the World Cup semi-final against England 'just a football game.' The match, set for July 15, 2026, in Atlanta, carries deep historical weight-both on and off the pitch.

What did Scaloni say?

Scaloni insisted his team views the England clash as 'a football game and that is all.' He acknowledged England’s strength but framed it purely as a tactical challenge. 'We will be playing against a very tough opponent,' Scaloni said.

Why does Maradona Jr. disagree?

Maradona Jr. argued his father, Diego Maradona, would never see it that way. 'My dad wouldn’t see it as a normal game,' he told Marca. The 1986 World Cup quarter-final, where Maradona scored twice-once with his hand, once with a legendary solo run-remains etched in football lore. 'Since then, nothing has been normal against England,' Maradona Jr. said.

The Falklands War shadow

The rivalry extends beyond football. The 1982 Falklands War, which claimed 907 lives, looms large. 'It brings to mind everything about the Falklands and all our brothers who died there,' Maradona Jr. said. England’s 1966 World Cup win over Argentina only deepened the animosity.

What’s at stake?

The winner advances to the World Cup final. England captain Harry Kane echoed Scaloni’s focus on tactics, calling Argentina 'a great team who are smart, who are tactical.' But Maradona Jr. warned: 'They have to face and beat the world champions. It’s going to be tough.'