1 of 5 | England's Harry Kane (L) and Djed Spence (R) challenge Argentina's Lionel Messi in the first half of a 2026 World Cup semifinal Wednesday in Atlanta. Photo by Christian Brunskill/UPI | License Photo
July 16 (UPI) -- Lionel Messi called Argentina's comeback win over England in a 2026 World Cup semifinal "a gift for" late soccer legend Diego Maradona.
Messi made the comments when he met with reporters Wednesday in Atlanta. The eight-time Ballon d'Or winner assisted on each of Argentina's two goals in the second- half rally.
Maradona, who died in 2020, previously coached Messi while leading Argentina's national team from 2008 to 2010, including at the 2010 World Cup.
"We shared some wonderful moments," Messi said. "In 2010, at the World Cup, he had a brilliant spell. We talked about the opposition and the matches in that tournament.
