1 of 5 | England’s Harry Kane (L) and Djed Spence (R) challenge Argentina’s Lionel Messi in the first half of a 2026 World Cup semifinal Wednesday in Atlanta. Photo by Christian Brunskill/UPI | License Photo
Lionel Messi called Argentina’s comeback win over England in a 2026 World Cup semifinal “a gift for” late soccer legend Diego Maradona.
Messi made the comments when he met with reporters Wednesday in Atlanta. The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner assisted on each of Argentina’s two goals in the second- half rally.
Maradona, who died in 2020, previously coached Messi while leading Argentina’s national team from 2008 to 2010, including at the 2010 World Cup.
“We shared some wonderful moments,” Messi said. “In 2010, at the World Cup, he had a brilliant spell. We talked about the opposition and the matches in that tournament.
“Today, wherever he is, he’ll be happy, enjoying all of this, given how much the national team meant to him and the legacy he left behind. It’s a gift for him.”
Messi has been compared to Maradona throughout his career. He scored nearly 100 more international goals than the man he considered an idol as a child. With another victory, Messi also can surpass Maradona by leading the Argentines to a second World Cup title.
Messi gave credit to fans for assisting Wednesday’s win and said the Argentinians’ latest run proved their placement among the world’s elite teams.
“It’s crazy what this group has just achieved once again, reaching a World Cup Final,” Messi said. “We come from being world champions. We have been the best over the last four years.
“No matter who it hurts or what they say, today we once again we place ourselves among the two best in the world and that shows that everything we did is not by chance and that no one gave us anything. Reaching two World Cup Finals in a row is no small feat, and this group achieved it.”
Messi also said he was confident of Argentina’s ability to advance in the World Cup.
“I’ve never doubted, and I knew that at the very least, we would be among the final four, and that this group, when they come together, brings out something special from where they don’t have it,” Messi said.
Argentina will look to join Italy and Brazil as the only teams to win consecutive World Cups when they face Spain in the finale Sunday in East Rutherford, N.J. The No. 2 Spaniards are half-goal favorites over the top-ranked reigning champions.
FIFA World Cup: Argentina defeats England
Argentina’s Lionel Messi celebrates after Argentina defeated England 2-1 in their 2026 FIFA World Cup match in Atlanta on July 15, 2026. Argentina advances to the World Cup final against Spain on July 19. Photo by Christian Brunskill/UPI | License Photo
