The draw for the 2018 World Cup in Russia became memorable for far more than just the unveiling of the groups. That afternoon in Moscow, Diego Maradona turned what was supposed to be a solemn ceremony into a media earthquake that rattled the Argentina national team, exposed the fragile relationship with Jorge Sampaoli, and produced one of the most unforgettable moments before the tournament.

A fiery Maradona steals the spotlight at the global ceremony

Dressed in a flawless black suit and a striking yellow bow tie, Maradona was among the figures selected to draw the balls. Everything was unfolding normally until Argentina’s group — Iceland, Croatia and Nigeria — was revealed. In that instant, the legendary No. 10 unleashed a stinging live critique: "Argentina must advance… They can’t keep playing as badly as they are now."

The remark detonated like a bomb in what had been a strictly formal event. Tension filled the hall immediately. In the audience, Sampaoli, watching from his seat, took the blow in silence before responding indirectly:
"I have the best in the world and the best in history."

The clash was now public. The rift between Maradona and the coaching staff was obvious, and from that moment on, the world stopped paying attention to the draw itself — all eyes turned toward the Argentine storm.

From skipping Putin to confronting Sampaoli: classic Maradona showmanship

The No. 10 had already made headlines before stepping onstage. Earlier that day, he had declined to attend a morning meeting with Vladimir Putin for a reason as surreal as it was true to his character: "I don’t wake up at that hour."

He did, however, meet with the Russian president later, accompanied by major figures such as Ronaldo Nazario. But all of that faded into the background once the drama at the draw unfolded.

Tension with Sampaoli had been building long before Russia 2018. According to people close to him, Maradona never accepted the coach: he saw him as a “phony,” resented his desire to manage Boca Juniors, and disliked how he was presented as the “savior” of the national team. Old grudges over broken promises and sharp criticisms during the qualifiers only deepened the fracture.

For that reason, those around him insist his attack was not spontaneous — it was a Maradona-style move, as impulsive as it was deliberate.

The beginning of a storm that foretold a chaotic World Cup

Maradona’s verbal fire didn’t stop there. During the tournament itself — after the draw with Iceland and before facing France — he kept up the pressure with more explosive statements:
"Sampaoli can’t return to the country… Argentina’s problem is the one leading them."

It foreshadowed a turbulent World Cup for Argentina, who exited in the Round of 16 against France and exposed the deep internal rift between the squad and its coach.

The draw went down in history not just for defining the groups, but for becoming the last major stage where Maradona, with just a few words, shook Argentine football to its core.