Pearce hails ‘footballing icon’

STUART Pearce insisted football was “blessed” to have Diego Maradona in the game as he paid tribute to the Argentine.

Nottingham Forest legend Pearce saw Maradona’s brilliance at first-hand and said the game was fortunate to have him.

“If someone asked me who the best ever footballer player was, I would always say Pele but I probably didn’t see enough of Pele, to be honest with you,” Pearce told Talksport.

“But Maradona, only being a couple years older than myself, I certainly saw him first hand.

“He’s been one of the iconic figures in football over the years.

“There’s been a handful of superstars, Pele, Maradona, Cruyff and Messi and Ronaldo now.

“He compares to any of them and it’s a really sad day. In the summer, I watched the documentary about his time at Napoli. It was incredible, what an iconic figure.

“He was bigger than football and still remains that way. It’s been a delight to have him in and around football.

“He had everything. He didn’t have a massive physical stature, he was small and had a low centre of gravity.

“But, my goodness, what a player.”

Many England fans have never forgiven Maradona for the infamous ‘Hand of God’ goal which helped knock Bobby Robson’s side out of 1986 World Cup in Mexico.

But Pearce said: “I’ve never really had the hang-up about this ‘Hand of God’ situation, honestly.

“I know a lot of people have and a lot of English people have in regard.

“But, for me, it doesn’t tarnish what he is and what he stands for.”