As a data scientist who analyzes NBA and NFL performance metrics, I’ve spent years building predictive models. When I revisited Maradona’s international career through a statistical lens, the numbers told a story no fan debate can ignore. His 1986 World Cup run wasn't luck—it was elite execution under pressure. Let’s break down why the myth of 'Maradona the fluke' is statistically unfounded.

As a data scientist obsessed with football tactics, I analyze whether possession-based playstyles like Manchester City's tiki-taka are being neutralized by low-block defenses. Using Champions League case studies and defensive metrics, I explore if pragmatic counterattacking has become the new meta in elite football.