Donning Argentina's 1994 World Cup Away Jersey and the Resonance of Maradona

Messi's Symbolic Gesture in Maradona's 1994 Jersey

Lionel Messi has honored the soccer legacy of Diego Maradona by donning the retro 1994 Argentina away jersey the latter wore during his last goal for Argentina in the 1994 World Cup. Maradona's achievement in scoring against Greece during the U.S.-held tournament is etched in history, even though he faced disqualification due to a positive ephedrine test.

Messi's symbolic act of posing in the revered shirt resonates globally, underscoring his admiration for Maradona. As Argentina's current No. 10, Messi led the team to World Cup triumph in 2022, securing his place in the esteemed echelons of Argentine soccer alongside Maradona. Notably, Messi's relocation to the United States with Inter Miami aligns with the U.S. co-hosting the 2026 World Cup with Mexico and Canada.

In a recent match, Messi showcased his prowess with a remarkable performance, scoring twice within the initial 22 minutes as Inter Miami triumphed 4-0 over Atlanta United. Set for another clash against Orlando, Messi continues to make waves in U.S. soccer.

Looking ahead, Messi, at 36, has hinted that the 2026 World Cup might elude him at the age of 39, expressing uncertainty about his participation in the next tournament during a discussion with Titan Sports in June.

Check out Messi 1994 Argentina World Cup Away Jersey! 

One of the Argentina World Cup Kits

In the early 1990s, Argentina chose to infuse creativity into their classic dark blue away shirt. The innovative design included three rows of black diamonds on one side, accompanied by a black collar and, notably, the central placement of the adidas logo. Retrospectively, this jersey stands out as one of Argentina's finest; however, intriguingly, it bears striking resemblances to the shirts donned by Spain and Norway during the same tournament that year.

The Unique Dynamics of Maradona and Messi's Relationship

Lionel Messi's connection with Diego Maradona is inevitable, given their monumental status, shared nationality, and iconic roles in football. Whenever Maradona is mentioned, Messi's name is inextricably linked, and vice versa, particularly when discussing the rich history of Argentine football.

Rather than distinct figures, they represent consecutive inheritors of a shared cultural identity. It's not a matter of Maradona versus Messi; it's a continuum where Maradona preceded Messi. "Leo grew up watching videos of Maradona," revealed Messi's father, Jorge, highlighting the influence Maradona had on Messi's formative years.

During Maradona's coaching stint with the Argentine national team from 2008 to 2010, he nurtured Messi, providing him prominence within the setup. Despite their differing personalities, Maradona publicly praised and critiqued Messi, resulting in a relationship grounded in mutual respect and admiration rather than close friendship.

Maradona, when asked to compare himself to Messi, expressed reluctance to declare superiority, emphasizing the need to let Messi thrive independently. Messi acknowledged Maradona's profound significance to Argentines, noting that his support was fundamental and almost sacred.

Despite both hailing from Argentina, Maradona and Messi share a football history in Spain. Maradona played in the 1982 Spain-hosted World Cup, followed by spells with Barcelona and Sevilla. In contrast, Messi has dedicated his entire senior career to Barcelona.