Messi channels Maradona with fierce stare before inspiring Argentina past England at World Cup 2026

Lionel Messi has rekindled memories of Diego Maradona’s legendary intensity after a viral pre-match stare at Harry Kane was followed by a masterclass in Argentina’s World Cup 2026 semi-final victory over England.

The 39-year-old captain locked his gaze on the England striker throughout the coin toss on Wednesday, in a scene strikingly reminiscent of Maradona’s famous face-off with Italy’s Gaetano Scirea at Mexico 1986.

Footage of Messi’s unblinking focus spread rapidly on social media – and, just as Maradona did four decades earlier, the Argentine icon then dominated on the pitch, driving his side to a 2-1 win and into the World Cup final.

Echoes of 1986: Maradona’s iconic stare revived

For years, a photograph of Diego Maradona at the 1986 World Cup draw between Argentina and Italy has been widely shared: the Argentine genius stands at the centre circle, fixing Scirea, Italy’s World Cup-winning captain at the time, with a piercing, almost predatory look “like that of a lion”.

Crucially, Maradona’s attention in that moment was not on the coin or the referee, but fully trained on his opponent.

According to Argentine broadcaster TyC Sports, the parallels between the two moments go much deeper than the image itself. In 1986, Maradona’s visual duel with Scirea came before a group-stage meeting with Italy. He then produced a performance for the ages, scoring a superb goal in a 1-1 draw.

Forty years on, Messi mirrored that ritual – this time in a World Cup semi-final against England. Standing opposite Kane, the Argentine captain did not take his eyes off the England forward as the formalities were completed.

The powerful echo of Maradona’s psychological warfare instantly struck a chord with fans, who resurfaced the iconic Mexico 1986 image to draw comparisons between the two No. 10s.

Same opponents, same scoreline, same decisive No. 10

TyC Sports noted another coincidence: Argentina’s 2-1 semi-final win over England in 2026 replicated the scoreline of Maradona’s most famous match against the same opponents – the quarter-final at Mexico 1986, when Argentina also triumphed 2-1.

While Wednesday’s semi-final did not feature anything resembling the “Hand of God” or the “Goal of the Century”, it was again an Argentine playmaker who dictated the biggest moments.

Messi, like Maradona before him, was central to almost everything Argentina created. Where Maradona in 1986 scored a unforgettable solo goal against Italy in the group phase, Messi orchestrated Argentina’s attack against England, shaping the game with his vision and movement.

Messi’s masterclass at 39

On the pitch in Wednesday’s semi-final, Messi was the driving force behind Argentina’s victory. Operating as the chief creator, he set up both goals – one for Enzo Fernandez and another for Lautaro Martinez – underlining his enduring influence on the international stage.

Across the 90 minutes, Messi completed nine successful dribbles, repeatedly unpicking England’s defensive structure and drawing comparisons with his younger self. Despite his age, his capacity to dominate major matches appeared undiminished.

TyC Sports highlighted these contributions as evidence that Messi “لا يزال، رغم بلوغه 39 عاما، اللاعب الاكثر تاثيرا في المباريات الكبرى” – that he “still remains, despite being 39, the most influential player in the biggest games”.

Viral moment that captured a legacy

The viral clip of the coin-toss stare – Messi’s eyes locked on Kane, never dropping to the coin – has been seized upon by fans as another chapter in the ongoing debate over his place alongside Maradona in football history.

For many Argentines, the image of their modern-day captain borrowing the intensity, posture and psychological edge of Maradona is deeply symbolic: a visual passing of the torch, even as Messi writes his own distinct legacy.

From Mexico 1986 to World Cup 2026, two generations of Argentina’s No. 10s have used the same blend of aura and ability to bend the biggest games to their will – and, once again, England were on the receiving end.