Shades of Maradona's 1990 Final in Lionel Messi's 2026 Journey The tears streaming down Lionel Messi's face as he stood on the MetLife Stadium pitch, defeated by Spain in the 2026 World Cup final, were a poignant reminder of Diego Maradona's own heartbreak 36 years ago.
This emotional connection between two football titans belies a complex web of similarities and differences that speak to the very essence of the sport.
Maradona and Messi represent two distinct eras and philosophies on how to dominate football.