The seven-time Ballon d’Or-winning forward pulled level with Maradona on eight World Cup goals and a record 21 appearances at the tournament for his country on Saturday. READ:
DOHA —Lionel Messi’s dream of matching late great Diego Maradona’s Argentina legacy lives on.
Argentina’s talisman is two goals short of their World Cup top-scorer Gabriel Batistuta’s tally of 10 goals, but his winner should bring more opportunities to overtake “Batigol” in Qatar. Some insist Messi cannot be considered the greatest of all time unless he lifts the trophy, and in Argentina, Maradona’s gleaming World Cup legacy often aids him in comparisons, his flawed genius winning out against Messi’s near-perfection.
The Albiceleste captain managed to inspire the team to second place in 2014, with Argentina losing 1-0 in extra-time against Germany in the Rio de Janeiro final. Early in the second half Messi sent a free-kick over the crossbar from a dangerous position, as Argentina’s desperation grew. Another brace followed against Belgium in the semis and Maradona provided an assist in the 3-2 final win over West Germany, perhaps the country’s finest sporting moment.A wild eye-bulging celebration after scoring in 1994 World Cup became an enduring image — Maradona failed a drugs test and was sent home after two games.
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