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Diego Maradona Praised by Mourinho as Ballon d’Or Should Honor Brilliance Over Trophies

2026-08-30 · Diego Maradona · Player Focus

Diego Maradona is being held up by Jose Mourinho as the ideal Ballon d’Or winner not for trophies but for lasting individual brilliance. The Real Madrid manager said the award should go to players whose genius leaves a permanent mark on football, naming Maradona alongside Messi, Ronaldo and Zidane as examples of players fans will miss forever. This view comes as UEFA confirmed the 2026 Champions League league phase fixtures, setting up key matches for English clubs.

Why Mourinho Thinks Maradona Defines the Ballon d’Or

Mourinho argued that winning the Champions League or World Cup should not automatically make a player the Ballon d’Or favourite. Speaking before Real Madrid’s match against Malaga, he said the award must recognise individual excellence that transcends team success. He added that if the award were truly for Champions League winners, it should go to coaches like Luis Enrique or the national teams themselves. Maradona was specifically named as a player whose artistry earns eternal remembrance, reinforcing the idea that legacy matters more than medals.

How Maradona’s Old Trafford Experience Still Resonates

In 1984, Diego Maradona played for Barcelona against Manchester United in the Cup Winners’ Cup quarter-final at Old Trafford. Despite losing the first leg 2-0, United won 3-0 at home thanks to a Bryan Robson brace. Maradona, however, was struck by the atmosphere, later telling the Manchester Evening News: “I played at Old Trafford. What noise, like La Bombonera.” The comparison to Boca Juniors’ iconic stadium remains one of the highest praises ever given to an English ground by a foreign legend.

Champions League Fixtures Set for September Start

UEFA confirmed the full 2026 Champions League league phase schedule on Saturday. Manchester United begin their campaign at home against Azerbaijan’s Sabah on September 10. Liverpool host Atletico Madrid at Anfield on September 16 for an 8pm kick-off, while Arsenal travel to Napoli at the same time. Man City face Porto away on September 17, and Aston Villa travel to Club Brugge on September 8. United will later face Atletico Madrid again on October 13 at Old Trafford in a high-stakes second matchday clash.

  • Diego Maradona played for Barcelona in the 1984 Cup Winners’ Cup quarter-final against Manchester United
  • Jose Mourinho cited Maradona as a Ballon d’Or ideal alongside Messi, Ronaldo and Zidane
  • Manchester United’s Champions League opener is at home to Sabah on September 10
  • Liverpool host Atletico Madrid on September 16 at Anfield

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