All Lionel Messi needed was a little help from his friends.
On Tuesday against Nigeria, the Argentina talisman got exactly that in progressing to the knockout stage after teetering on the brink of a calamitous World Cup exit in St. Petersburg.
That’s where the flaw lies in comparisons between La Albiceleste’s current star and the one lionized for capturing the last of Argentina’s two World Cups.
Video of Diego Maradona’s performance at the 1986 World Cup in Mexico shows the diminutive attacker slaloming through opponents with captivating elan on the way to two-goal performances against England and Belgium. It’s easy to assume that Maradona’s individual display and his involvement in 10 of Argentina’s 14 goals in the tournament was the sole reason for victory.
The truth is, Argentina’s 1986 side was so much more than just Maradona. Jorge Valdano was clinical playing slightly ahead of the now bulbous legend, bagging four goals, including one in an electric final against West Germany. Jorge Burruchaga’s match-winner capped off a brilliant tournament in the midfield, providing a vital source of support in a final where Maradona was heavily marked.
Cruel comparisons
Compare that to the squad Messi lined up alongside for the Group …read more