# Messi on Their Mind, Argentines Still Hold Maradona in Their Hearts

> Argentines revere Messi as national icon after World Cup triumph, yet Maradona remains cultural symbol.
- Title: Messi on Their Mind, Argentines Still Hold Maradona in Their…
- Summary: Argentines revere Messi as national icon after World Cup triumph, yet Maradona remains cultural symbol. Argentines now see Messi as the best player in their…
- Keywords: argentina, messi, maradona, world cup, soccer, football, copa america, national identity, Mind, Argentines, Still, Hold
- Source: Foreign Policy — https://foreignpolicy.com/2026/10/12/messi-maradona-argentina-world-cup-soccer-football
- Author: Bobby Ghosh
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: argentina, messi, maradona, world cup, soccer, football, copa america, national identity
## Messi's farewell
Lionel Messi ended his 21-year national team career with a 3-0 friendly win over Benin.

> I am proud to be Argentine
## Messi's identity
Messi insisted he was Argentine despite being born in Rosario and living in Spain.

> I’ve never stopped being Argentine, and I’ve never wanted to
## National team struggles
Argentina lost three straight World Cup finals between 2014 and 2:16.

> Why do they kill you in Argentina?
## Maradona's legacy
Maradona was a political figure who embraced Fidel Castro and marched against George W. Bush.

> They cut off my legs
## Polling results
73 percent of Argentines say Messi is the best player in their history.

> 57 percent of Argentines identify more with Maradona than Messi
## Cultural divide
Messi represents individual aspiration while Maradona embodies national character.

> In values and way of being, which of the two great No. 10s do Argentines more closely resemble
## Soccer culture
Argentine soccer culture celebrates the scruffy 'pibe' who learns on the streets.

> el pibe de oro
## Class differences
Messi's support comes mostly from middle and higher income Argentines.

> Among Argentina’s poorest, the race was much closer
## Maradona's downfall
Maradona tested positive for ephedrine at the 1994 World Cup and was sent home.

> They cut off my legs
## National myth
Maradona is counted among Argentina's four great mythical figures with Eva Perón and Che Guevara.

> Comedians and Martyrs
## Messi's clean life
Messi has lived a clean life, which counts against his cultural impact.

> la pulga will never match el pibe de oro
## National shift
Argentines now see Messi as the best player in their history without needing convincing.

> In 2012, he had to insist that he was Argentine. Today, the nation needs no convincing.
## What happens next
Argentines continue to see Messi as the best player in their history while Maradona remains the cultural icon.

> Messi has always seemed content to let others argue about such things
## Key takeaway

Argentines now see Messi as the best player in their history, but Maradona represents national identity more deeply.