Whenever a debate sparks up about who the greatest players of all time are, four names are always mentioned: Lionel Messi, Diego Maradona, Cristiano Ronaldo, and Pele. These players continue to see their names pop up in conversations despite the demise of Diego Maradona and, most recently, Pele, who died after the last World Cup.
Lionel Messi and Diego Maradona are often compared due to their Argentine roots. Recently, Messi emerged from Maradona’s shadow by winning the World Cup last December. Despite this, Messi continues to pay homage to his idol and adores him deeply.
Lionel Messi honors Diego Maradona donning USA 1994 World Cup jersey
Lionel Messi and Diego Maradona are two of the best players in football’s history, with the former etching his name in the history books after completing football last December by leading Argentina to World Cup glory, something Maradona did in 1986. Messi’s failure to lead Argentina to any major trophy left him in the shadow of Diego Maradona for a long time. At some point, the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner retired from international football after a series of disappointments.
Lionel Messi presumiendo la camiseta de Diego Maradona del Mundial de Estados Unidos 1994. pic.twitter.com/GucS1HG171
— Andre Marín (@andremarinpuig) July 30, 2023
Messi’s comeback is quite phenomenal. The former Barcelona star led Argentina to victory in the Copa America in 2021 before lifting the World Cup a year later in Qatar. Sadly, Maradona did not live long enough to see Messi shine on the international stage. The former Argentina captain passed away in November 2020, finally giving in after a series of health issues for the past decade of his life.
Messi has now paid his homage yet again to his idol as he recently donned the iconic Adidas-made jersey the Argentina national team wore at the 1994 World Cup in the USA. Ironically, Diego Maradona scored his last international goal wearing this jersey.
Diego Maradona’s final goal for Argentina came at the USA World Cup 1994
Diego Maradona was a legend in his country, leading Argentina to World Cup glory in 1986 as the captain. He also represented Argentina at the 1994 World Cup in the United States, where he scored his final goal for the national team. History may repeat itself if Messi stays fit enough to play at the 2026 World Cup, which the USA, Canada, and Mexico will host.
🏆🇺🇲 USA 1994: Diego's last World Cup
🏆🇺🇲 USA 2026: The last of Leo Messi?A man can dream. pic.twitter.com/N18tsRdLmj
— SK10 𓃵 (@SK10_Football) July 31, 2023
Messi is currently leading the line for Inter Miami in the MLS, scoring three goals and providing one assist for his new team in as many games. The former PSG star has drawn much attention to the MLS, with several A-list celebrities coming to see the new gem in their country in action.
