The report says Maradona supported video technology as early as 2005, even though his place in Argentina and World Cup history was partly secured by a goal that modern officiating would almost certainly have disallowed.
He did not appear to regret the incident. Instead, the account portrays a player who believed footballers should exploit every advantage available on the pitch. That attitude sat comfortably alongside his appreciation of VAR’s potential to correct mistakes - even mistakes that had helped define his own career.
The distinction mattered to Maradona. He could defend the instinct of the player while accepting that the game itself might demand a different standard.
The conversation reportedly moved from football controversy to Maradona’s personal struggles. He spoke openly about cocaine addiction and described how fatherhood, particularly his relationship with his daughters, became central to his recovery.
That perspective added another layer to a complicated public figure. Maradona was not simply defending a notorious moment; he was also reflecting on responsibility, influence and the examples adults set for children.
Asked to choose between himself, Pelé and Johan Cruyff, he offered the typically personal response: “My mum says it's me... and everyone listens to my mum!” Maradona’s humour remained intact, but so did his willingness to address the difficult parts of his story.
Before the 2006 World Cup, Maradona reportedly saw Wayne Rooney as a potential tournament-defining figure for England. He considered the forward powerful and similar to himself in character, while also believing Rooney needed stronger guidance and leadership.
That assessment now feels revealing. Maradona understood both the force of raw talent and the risks surrounding it.
As football enters another era of increasingly sophisticated officiating, the next question is whether future stars can embrace technology without losing the instinct, personality and edge that made Maradona unforgettable.