Regardless of what anyone says, there's a lot to be said for being a sore loser. I mean, if you've already lost or are staring certain defeat in the face, why bother being gracious about it? At least derive some petty pleasure from p*ssing on the chips of those who have had the temerity to reign victorious over you. It's why Mike Tyson tried to make a Wham bar out of Evander Holyfield's lug during their 1997 title fight and why Diego Maradona decided to go bananas on the entire Athletic Bilbao team after the final whistle of the 1984 Copa Del Rey final.
For all his God given ability, El Diego was always at his finest when he was fucking people over, whether that meant nutting opposition defenders or punching a ball past Peter Shilton. The King's Cup final of '84 provided everyone's favourite charlie addled footballer with the perfect platform with which to cement his status as an everyman hero for the masses.
Coming face to face with fellow serial sh*thouse, 'Butcher of Bilbao' Andoni Goikoetxea, who had broken Maradona's ankle in a previous meeting between the sides the previous September, our immaculately haired, barrel chested hero would lose the match but ultimately win the war.
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Taking exception to gloating Athletic player Sola waving him off the pitch with the Spanish gesture for "f**k off", Diego reacted as if someone had just sneezed his last line of gak into the living room carpet, seeing red and promptly leaving Sola on his arse before wading into the rest of his opposition with the wreckless abandon of a fucked off bull steamrollering it's way through the streets of Pamplona.
(Skip to 6.45 for everything kicking off)
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Not many footballers can claim they've had to personally apologise to the king of a country after prompting a multi man tear up. Needless to say, this would prove to be Maradona's final game in the 'Blaugrana' shirt and in fairness, it was a more impressive way to bow out than actually winning the cup.
Happy Birthday, Diego.
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