Lionel Messi delivered a heartfelt tribute to Diego Maradona after leading Argentina to a comeback victory over England to secure a place in the 2026 World Cup final. The Argentine captain described the triumph as “a gift” to the late legend, before turning his attention to one last opportunity to etch his name further into football history.

Messi’s emotional salute to Maradona after a thrilling win

Argentina clinched their spot in the 2026 World Cup final following a dramatic 2-1 comeback against England in the semi-final held in Atlanta. After the match, Messi downplayed his own heroics and instead honoured Maradona, whose enduring influence continues to shape Argentina’s passionate rivalry with England.

The Inter Miami forward was presented with a replica of Maradona’s iconic shirt from Argentina’s memorable 1986 World Cup quarter-final win over England. The symbolic gesture came just moments after another famous victory against the same opponent confirmed Argentina’s return to the grand finale on Sunday.

Reflecting on Maradona’s lasting influence

The Argentine team was fully aware of the historic weight attached to the fixture, particularly given its connection to the 1986 World Cup, where Maradona’s ‘Hand of God’ and ‘Goal of the Century’ ended England’s campaign. Speaking to TyC Sports following the match, Messi said the night carried extra emotional significance because of Maradona’s deep bond with the fixture.

“Without a doubt, Diego is enjoying this immensely from up there because today was a very special day for him; being able to give him this joy and for him to experience it however he wants from up there. Let him enjoy it because it's a gift for him too,” Messi shared.

Managing emotions in a fierce rivalry

Messi acknowledged that the emotional charge was palpable from the very start, as the national anthems echoed around the stadium, setting the tone for another legendary Argentina-England encounter. The Inter Miami star admitted that the atmosphere made it challenging to keep emotions in check.

“During the national anthems, something special happened because we started to hear the murmurs of their fans,” Messi said. “They were singing it in a special way, and we caught on to each other. Even though we knew it was a football match, sometimes it's difficult to control your emotions. We experienced it that way, and we played it that way too.”

One last step towards more glory

Argentina will now meet Spain in the World Cup final, with Messi determined to capture a second world title. A victory would mark another historic achievement in his extraordinary international career and serve as a fitting conclusion to Argentina’s latest journey on football’s grandest stage.