Argentine media claims Lionel Messi has conquered almost all Argentinian hearts with his performances at this World Cup. The media in his homeland are lyrical about the captain of the team that eliminated the Netherlands on penalties in the quarterfinals. The comparisons with Diego Armando Maradona are therefore eagerly made.
“Comparisons are ugly, but no one can deny that Messi is increasingly seen as Maradona on and off the pitch,” TyC Sports wrote after the match. The medium enjoyed the captain, who was again important with a goal and an assist. “Especially because of the way he puts the Argentinian national team on his shoulder and attacks opponents, as happened after the end of the game against the Netherlands.”
Olé also saw the resemblance to Maradona. “At 35 years old, Leo is in a great version of himself beyond football. It is now football and rebellion. This version of Messi has more and more to give and shows ostentatiously on the pitch. He reinvents himself every step of the way at this World Cup. He has not experienced a thousand, but a million battles and continues to surprise. Playing football, but also spiritually he is more Maradonian than ever.’
“Besides football, the image of the best player in the world is promoted,” continues the Argentine newspaper. The raw side of Messi is embraced. ‘He is no longer the good child, the respectful player who is silent, he now faces a combative team spirit and rebels. He even uttered sentences that seemed to be signed by Diego, such as the words he dedicated to Louis van Gaal.’
La Nacion also made the comparison with Maradona, who became world champion with Argentina. “He looked at the stands and sang along, because Messi has become a national boy and saw that it was good. He is magnetic, indecipherable, indomitable and ridiculously magnificent. In every match he is more of a captain, he is more dominant. And tonight he was on top of the stage from start to finish. Lionel Messi is a perfect formula. A genius. And now a rebel. Finally it will be as big as its predecessor,” they wrote.
