It’s time to relegate Diego Maradona’s infamous Hand of God to history. For four decades, that moment and Maradona’s legendary “For English football, this is more painful than the Hand of God,” defined the spirit of Argentine football. However, the landscape has evolved, primarily due to Lionel Messi’s emergence. By stepping out from Maradona’s shadow, Messi is crafting a new narrative for Argentina.
An impressive 2–1 semi-final triumph over England highlighted a rejuvenated Argentine side, which now looks ahead to the final against Spain, armed with a straightforward yet effective tool: exceptional football.
“The English consider the Hand of God to be illegal, a cheat,” says Tomás Abraham, a lifelong writer and philosopher with a deep passion for football. At 79, he structures his day around Champions League and Premier League matches, often from his spacious Buenos Aires apartment or his book-filled office, where he dedicates hours to writing.
“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 notes. “The difference between Diego and Leo is their private lives,”
For many years, a significant portion of Argentinians held Messi in low regard, fixated on the myth of Maradona. They believed Messi couldn’t measure up; he had to be Maradona. While the world dreamed of having their own Messi, countless Argentinians were convinced he would falter against tough competition in the Copa Libertadores.
This belief is why Messi’s ultimate achievement is breaking free from Maradona’s legacy and winning the love and respect of his nation.
Maradona was more than just a footballer; he epitomized a specific form of Argentinidad. For a long time, understanding Maradona required an understanding of Argentina, but eventually, it became essential to comprehend Argentina through the lens of Maradona, as their identities became deeply intertwined.
He embodied an ambitious and proud Argentina, one that saw itself as destined for greatness. This is also why Maradona felt entitled to express his views on various subjects, from George Bush to the pope, from FIFA to his idols Fidel Castro and Hugo Chávez. He often contradicted himself, simultaneously loving and hating the same figures within months.
A remarkable talent and often compassionate, Maradona also had a knack for disparaging, hurting, and provoking others. Ultimately, he mirrored Argentina’s dual nature, with its brilliance and inherent flaws.
Having benefited from a solid state education, Maradona understood the significance of every word. He possessed a unique ability to articulate his thoughts, despite his humble beginnings.
Messi, shaped by a more subdued Argentina, lacks that same verbal flair; his vocabulary is limited, and his sentences tend to be short and simplistic, although he has shown considerable improvement recently. This reflects his comfort level and contributes to a distinct Argentine football identity.
Carlos Mac Allister, who played alongside Maradona for Argentina, is also the father of Alexis Mac Allister. He has spent weeks in the United States watching his son during the World Cup and will attend the final.
“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 explains. “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 metaphorically housed in a museum relates to the inquiry investigating the circumstances surrounding Maradona’s death on November 25, 2020, and whether it could have been avoided. This investigation did not dominate the headlines or capture sustained public attention. It seems many Argentinians, perhaps embarrassed by the tragic circumstances of Maradona’s passing, preferred to quietly move on. What better way to do so than by embracing Messi?
After Argentina’s win over England, Messi shared heartfelt words about Maradona, who had once critiqued 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,”
Focusing on the Hand of God is akin to discussing football prehistory, a bygone era. As columnist Héctor Gambini remarked in Clarín, Argentina’s leading newspaper, “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.”
Mariano Israelit, a close friend of Maradona, asserts that Maradona is no longer the top player. “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.”
Israelit also critiques the English perspective on their 1986 match, referencing the controversial 1966 World Cup final. “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.”
As for what lies ahead in the final, Abraham harbors doubts about the European champions. “They ignore everything we’ve contributed to Spanish football: Alfredo Di Stéfano and Lionel Messi,” he remarks.
Argentina has significantly enriched Spanish football, and Spanish clubs have played a vital role in nurturing Argentine talent. The roster of Argentinians who have played or managed in Spain is extensive: Di Stéfano and Messi, along with Mario Kempes, Maradona, César Luis Menotti, Carlos Bilardo, Lionel Scaloni, and many more.
Mac Allister emphasizes that Argentina is no longer solely defined by Messi, as they were at the World Cup’s outset. The team has awakened. “I see an Argentina team that had been playing at 60% of its capacity, but which played at 90% against England,” he states. “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.”
Or as Uruguayan journalist Emiliano Hernández Pereyra expresses, exasperated with many of his compatriots criticizing Argentina after a disappointing World Cup: Argentina elicits jealousy.
“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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