Lionel Messi pays tribute to Diego Maradona of the USA 94 World Cup as he poses in the iconic shirt in which the legend scored his last goal in Argentina

Lionel Messi has paid tribute to Argentina’s ultimate footballing idol Diego Maradona by posing in the kit he wore when he scored his last goal for his country.

Maradona scored against Greece at the 1994 World Cup – held in the United States – before being kicked out of the tournament after testing positive for ephedrine.

But the symbolism of Messi posing in the shirt will not be lost on his millions of fans around the world.

Messi, the current No.10 in his national team, propelled Argentina himself to World Cup glory in 2022 and with tournament glory, has truly established himself in the same bracket as Maradona in his home country.

Moreover, Messi is of course now based in the United States with Inter Miami and the United States are co-hosts of the 2026 World Cup alongside Mexico and Canada.

Lionel Messi shared photos of him wearing Argentina’s 1994 World Cup shirt in the USA

It was the same design worn by Argentina legend Diego Maradona in his last World Cup

So far, he seems to be enjoying life in the United States and has led Miami to two wins in his first two games.

He scored a sensational 90th-minute winner in his first game – a substitute appearance against Cruz Azul in the League Cup.

He then scored twice in the first 22 minutes as Miami beat Atlanta United 4-0 on Tuesday.

Messi and his new team are back in action on Wednesday night against Florida rivals Orlando.

When it comes to the World Cup, Messi, 36, has already hinted that the 2026 World Cup might come a bit too late for him when he turns 39.

Speaking to Titan Sports recently about Argentina’s friendly against Australia in June, he said: “I don’t think so.” It was my last World Cup.

“I’ll see how it goes but in principle I won’t go to the next World Cup.”