Argentine football fans filling the bars of Buenos Aires on Monday were able to celebrate iconic World Cup moments by two vastly different characters – Diego Maradona and Lionel Messi.
As Argentina beat Austria 2-0 at the 2026 World Cup, supporters marked the 40th anniversary of Maradona's infamous 'Hand of God' goal against England in the quarter-finals of Mexico 1986, on his way to almost single-handedly winning the trophy for Argentina.
For the clean-cut Messi, meanwhile, it was another record. His double against Austria made him the all-time leading goalscorer in World Cup history with 18 goals.
With streets largely deserted and bars packed with fans in Argentina shirts, supporters revelled in a day that linked two defining figures of the nation's football history.
Maradona, despite his excesses off the pitch and his failed doping test at the 1994 World Cup, remains a hero to many Argentines.
It is fair to say controversy and Messi are rarely mentioned in the same breath. Reverence for him is largely confined to his achievements on the pitch.
"Maradona came from the working classes and brought a lot of happiness to people who can only dream of certain pleasures others can afford," said Fernando Rollan, 38.
"Messi, on the other hand, belongs to another generation. But I love him. I've lived through it all."
For many younger supporters, however, Messi's status now stands on its own.
"I get emotional," said Brian Duarte, 27, his eyes welling with tears in a square in central Buenos Aires.
"I get very emotional because we have the privilege of enjoying Messi even today."
It is hard to miss images of Messi in Buenos Aires. He adorns the iconic Obelisco de Buenos Aires and, in the Patagonian province of Neuquén, a 26-metre-high statue was recently unveiled in his honour.
The Argentine fans – often draped in national flags, wearing the national strip and with their faces painted – who flocked to bars and fan zones took umbrage, just as they did in Maradona's golden age, with anything that might adversely affect their hero.
Such was the case when false reports spread on Friday claiming that Messi's father, Jorge, had died.
The Messi family subsequently announced that he was unwell and receiving medical treatment.
His illness had long been known in sporting and journalistic circles, yet had remained absent from the mainstream media.
"Everyone knew but nobody spoke about it," high-profile media personality Yanina Latorre said after the news emerged.
"You unsettle the lad and gain nothing from it."
Fans said nothing should be allowed to affect Messi's focus as Argentina seek to retain the World Cup.
"We are in the middle of the World Cup and they do not want to harm Messi," said Oscar Aguilera, 59.
"They acted cautiously. It is imperative they try to look after Messi at the moment," he added as he made his way home after the Austria match.
Messi turns 39 on Wednesday and there was a time when many questioned whether he would even make it to this World Cup.
Any lingering doubts appeared to disappear when he struck again deep into stoppage time against Austria, prompting a collective sigh of relief among supporters gathered in fan zones across the capital.
"Messi is unstoppable, honestly," said Juan Beva, 25, after watching the maestro perform his magic on a giant screen.
"The old man who was supposedly about to retire? There you have him. That's your answer."
– TIMES/AFP
related news
by Leila Lacor & Martín Raschinsky, AFP
Comments