It is time to relegate Diego Maradona’s controversial Hand of God to history. For four decades, this moment, along with Maradona’s legendary “For English football, this is more painful than the Hand of God,” has shaped the essence of Argentinian football. Today, the landscape has shifted significantly, primarily due to Lionel Messi’s remarkable influence. By rising above Maradona’s shadow, Messi is crafting a new narrative for Argentina.
Argentina’s impressive 2–1 victory over England in the semi-finals highlighted a rejuvenated team poised to face Spain in Sunday’s final, relying on one potent weapon: their exceptional skill on the pitch.
“The English consider the Hand of God to be illegal, a cheat,” states Tomás Abraham, a dedicated writer, philosopher, and football enthusiast. At 79, he meticulously schedules his days around Champions League and Premier League matches, often from his spacious Buenos Aires flat or his book-lined office.
“And this hurts all the more because they were defeated by a superior team that they were particularly keen to beat. The wound runs deeper.” Abraham explains. “The difference between Diego and Leo is their private lives,”
For years, many Argentinians placed Messi under the shadow of Maradona. He struggled to earn recognition as his own player, as some believed he would falter when faced with tough competition. The perception was that he might dissolve, like sugar in tea, when challenged on the field.
Messi’s most significant achievement is breaking free from the Maradona comparison, subsequently gaining both recognition and affection from his fellow countrymen.
Maradona represented more than just a footballer; he was the embodiment of a particular Argentinian identity. For a long time, one could not understand Maradona without first grappling with the complexities of Argentina, and vice versa, as their fates became deeply entwined.
He personified the dazzling yet arrogant spirit of Argentina, a nation convinced of its destined greatness. This entitlement allowed Maradona to voice opinions on a wide range of issues, from political leaders to sports figures, often holding contradictory views.
Tremendously gifted yet often contentious, Maradona was capable of both kindness and provocation, exemplifying the duality of his homeland with its brilliance and shadows.
Having received a solid education, Maradona understood the weight of words, possessing an innate ability to articulate his thoughts despite his humble beginnings.
Conversely, Messi, shaped by a different Argentina, lacks this eloquence; his vocabulary is limited, and his sentences are concise, though he has shown improvement over the years. This has shaped a new identity for Argentinian football and its culture.
Carlos Mac Allister, who played alongside Maradona for Argentina, reflects on the differences between the two legends. He is currently in the U.S. supporting his son, Alexis Mac Allister, at the World Cup.
“And that’s not to speak ill of Diego. I’m not going to explain what he himself has already said. Thanks to Diego being Diego, Messi is Messi today. With an understanding of what happened, Messi was able to work out how to take the game to the next level.” he observes. “I’m sure Diego is enjoying this immensely from up above. Let him enjoy it, because it’s a gift for him too.”
Another reason the Hand of God is now a relic lies in the investigation into Maradona’s death on November 25, 2020, and whether it could have been avoided. However, this inquiry has not captivated public interest here as many Argentinians seem reluctant to confront the harsh reality of Maradona’s final days. Embracing Messi has become a more appealing narrative.
Following the match against England, Messi shared heartfelt sentiments about Maradona, who had once criticized his leadership.
“None of the players who took part in this Argentina v England match had even been born when Maradona scored his immortal goals,”
Reflecting on the Hand of God evokes memories of a bygone era, as Héctor Gambini noted in Argentina’s leading newspaper, Clarín.
“Goals that VAR would have disallowed: the first for a handball by the Blues’ No 10. The second for a foul by the Blues’ No 2 [Sergio Batista] on the Whites’ No 4 [Glenn Hoddle], following which Argentina regained possession, the ball ended up at Maradona’s feet and, 13 seconds later, in the English net.” he wrote. “Diego was the greatest of all … up to a point. But Messi has now surpassed him; what Messi has achieved is unsurpassable. Diego played for a team like Napoli, which was basically 10 donkeys and Diego. Messi played for a Barcelona side surrounded by stars. We have to be realistic and honest; I take my hat off to Messi.”
Mariano Israelit, a close friend of Maradona, believes Messi has surpassed the legend. “An Englishman has no right whatsoever to say that Maradona scored with his hand or that he cheated, because the only tournament they ever won, they won with a goal that wasn’t a goal.”
Israelit also critiques the English perspective on the 1986 match, recalling the 1966 World Cup final. “They ignore everything we’ve contributed to Spanish football: Alfredo Di Stéfano and Lionel Messi,”
Looking towards the final, Abraham expresses skepticism about the European champions. “I see an Argentina team that had been playing at 60% of its capacity, but which played at 90% against England,” he remarks.
Argentina has significantly influenced Spanish football, with numerous Argentinian players and managers leaving their mark. This includes legends like Di Stéfano and Messi, along with others such as Mario Kempes, Maradona, César Luis Menotti, Carlos Bilardo, and Lionel Scaloni.
Mac Allister emphasizes that Argentina is more than just Messi now, unlike at the beginning of the World Cup. The team has awakened. “Against Spain, it will need to play at 100%. One thing is clear: we were playing with heart and soul, but we were lacking a bit of finesse. Not any more – Argentina dominated England.” Mac Allister states. “These lads have everything I want for my country, but there are a lot of stubborn Uruguayans. Do you think Argentina are just lucky? Please … It’s an extraordinary team; they’ve got a certain something that no other team has.”
Uruguayan journalist Emiliano Hernández Pereyra, frustrated by his compatriots’ criticism of Argentina, adds, “These lads have everything I want for my country, but there are a lot of stubborn Uruguayans. Do you think Argentina are just lucky? Please … It’s an extraordinary team; they’ve got a certain something that no other team has.”
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