Can Argentina saviour Messi match Maradona?

Argentina's fans hold a banner showing Diego Maradona handing over the trophy to Lionel Messi prior to the World Cup group C soccer match between Argentina and Saudi Arabia at the Lusail Stadium in Lusail, Qatar, Tuesday, Nov. 22, 2022. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko)

LIONEL Messi drew level with Diego Maradona’s number of World Cup goals and appearances on Saturday, but the current No. 10 knows that only winning the trophy at long last will earn him the same eternal love of his fellow Argentines.

In the twilight of a career played out in the larger-than-life shadow of god-like Argentina legend Maradona – who won the 1986 World Cup almost single-handedly – Messi is desperate to also lift the trophy on his fifth and final attempt.