Lionel Messi pays tribute to Diego Maradona via Instagram on Argentina icon’s death anniversary

Lionel Messi paid tribute to legendary Argentine maestro Diego Maradona on his death anniversary. The Argentine legend died due to a heart attack on November 25, 2020 at a rented residence outside Buenos Aires, Argentina at the age of 60.

Diego Armando Maradona is widely considered one of the greatest players of all time. He's best known for leading Argentina to glory in the 1986 World Cup, recording 10 goal contributions (five goals, five assists) in the tournament. He also won the golden ball in the competition. Overall, Maradona recorded 34 goals in 91 caps for La Albiceleste.

Diego Maradona played for multiple clubs, including Napoli, Boca Juniors, Barcelona, Sevilla and Newells Old Boys. The late legend is best remembered for his time in Napoli (1984-1991), where he contributed 115 goals and 74 assists in 257 outings across competitions. He won the Scudetto twice with Napoli.

On Monday (November 25), Lionel Messi took to his Instagram story to pay his tribute to the Argentine maestro on his death anniversary. He shared an image of Diego Maradona with the 1986 World Cup, writing:

"Eterno (Eternal)."

Maradona notably coached Lionel Messi for the Argentina national team between 2008 and 2010. La Albiceleste played 24 matches during this period, winning 18 and losing six. The late Argentine legend's coaching career ended after Argentina lost 4-0 to Germany in the 2010 FIFA World Cup quarter-final.

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"I would have liked him to give me the cup" - When Lionel Messi wanted Diego Maradona to hand him the 2022 World Cup

L to R: Maradona and Messi - Source: Getty

In an interview with Andy Kusnetzoff after winning the 2022 FIFA World Cup with Argentina, Lionel Messi wished Diego Maradona had handed him the trophy. Messi said (via FIFA's website):

"I would have liked Diego to give me the cup, or at least to see all this, to see Argentina as world champions, with everything he wanted and how he loved the national team. I think from above, he – like a lot of people who love me – were strong."

Lionel Messi was unable to win any trophy with Argentina during Diego Maradona's lifetime. He lost three consecutive finals with La Albiceleste: the 2014 FIFA World Cup and the 2015 and 2016 Copa Americas. His first major international trophy came with the 2021 Copa America, less than a year after Maradona's death.

Messi then led Argentina to the 2022 FIFA World Cup triumph and also win his second golden ball in the tournament. In 2024, La Pulga won his second Copa America title with La Albiceleste.

Football enthusiasts have often debated about who between Diego Maradona and Lionel Messi has left a better legacy for Argentina. However, both will forever be remembered for their magical gameplay that has graced the beautiful game.