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WORLD CUP 2022

Messi remembers Maradona two years after his death

In Qatar, 24 hours before Argentina’s ‘final’ against Mexico, Messi took to social media to pay his own personal tribute to Maradona.

Update:
Supporters wave a banner depicting football legend Diego Maradona (L) and Argentina's forward #10 Lionel Messi before the start of the Qatar 2022 World Cup Group C football match between Argentina and Saudi Arabia at the Lusail Stadium in Lusail, north of Doha on November 22, 2022. (Photo by Kirill KUDRYAVTSEV / AFP) (Photo by KIRILL KUDRYAVTSEV/AFP via Getty Images)
KIRILL KUDRYAVTSEVGetty

Lionel Messi doesn’t usually post too often on his official Instagram account, where he has 378 million followers.

However, this occasion deserved a post - from Qatar, where he is waiting for tomorrow’s decisive clash against Mexico - a game Argentian need to keep their World Cup hopes alive. Messi shared a message in which he paid tribute to Diego Armando Maradona to mark the second anniversary of his death.

True to his style, Leo did not embellish his post too much, but instead simply shared an image of Diego during his playing days on duty with Argentina. Of course, the shared photo is enough on it’s own to get the message across.

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Lautaro and Scaloni pay tribute

Argentina striker Lautaro Martínez was asked about the figure of ‘El Pelusa’ two years after his passing at the press conference prior to the match against Mexico. He replied, “We are very aware of it. For us, as Argentineans, he was a very important person... And within world football. We remember him in the best way. It is a sad day for everyone and hopefully tomorrow we can give him a happy day”.

Coach Lionel Scaloni also had some words about Maradona. “As for Diego, it is a very sad day. We hope tomorrow to bring you joy if you are looking down on us from heaven... We will always remember him, it seems incredible that it is no longer here. It is a sad day for all Argentineans but we hope that tomorrow will be a happy day for all of us and we can offer it to you”.