- Captain fantastic pens emotional tribute, dedicates heroic comeback to Maradona
In a touching tribute after securing the World Cup final spot to face Spain on Sunday, July 19, Lionel Messi says the victory of Argentina over England in the semi-final was “a gift” for the country’s football icon, Diego Armando Maradona, who died on 25th November 2020 at the age of 60.
Following the dramatic victory that saw La Albiceleste booked their place in the 2026 World Cup final after fighting back from a goal down to beat the Three Lions 2-1 in Atlanta, Messi shifted the focus away from himself and paid tribute to Maradona, whose legacy continues to define one of football’s fiercest rivalries.
This is as the Inter Miami forward was presented with a replica of the shirt Maradona wore during Argentina’s famous 1986 World Cup quarter-final victory over England. The gesture came moments after another memorable win over the same opponents and Messi reflected on Maradona legacy.
Certainly, the historical weight of Wednesday, July 15 fixture was not lost on the Argentine squad, especially given the parallels to the 1986 World Cup where Maradona’s ‘Hand of God’ and ‘Goal of the Century’ eliminated England.
Speaking to TyC Sports after the match, Messi said the occasion carried special meaning because of Maradona’s connection to the fixture, explaining thus: “Without a doubt, Diego is enjoying this immensely from up there because today was a very special day for him; being able to give him this joy and for him to experience it however he wants from up there. Let him enjoy it because it’s a gift for him too.”
Controlling Emotion Of Antagonism Clash
Captain Fantastic said the intensity began as soon as the opening notes of the national anthems echoed around the ground, setting the stage for another historic chapter in this rivalry.
Also admitting that the occasion made it difficult to separate football from emotion, the Argentina hero said: “During the national anthems, something special happened because we started to hear the murmurs of their fans.
“They were singing it in a special way, and we caught on to each other. Even though we knew it was a football match, sometimes it’s difficult to control your emotions. We experienced it that way, and we played it that way too.”
Ultimate Step To Cementing Legacy
Argentina will now face Spain in the World Cup final, with Messi aiming to win a second world title. No doubt, victory would add another landmark achievement to an already remarkable international career while also providing a fitting ending to Argentina’s latest run on football’s biggest stage.
