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Follow UsLionel Messi and Diego Maradona are the two names that come up every time you talk about Argentina. The South American country was blessed enough to give birth to two of the greatest footballers who graced the green and wore the sky blue and white. Messi was told to be to next Maradona when he was just a teenager. Has he become the Maradona? The question is, "is it even possible to be Maradona?" Well, if it is tough to be Diego Armando Maradona, Lionel Messi has made a generation of Argentine fans around the globe proud with his achievements. Yes, it is the world cup that has not been in the grab of the "the Messiah". The Messi vs Maradona world cup stats will make you believe how similar the king and his successor are with the Argentine shirt on.
Messi vs Maradona: World Cup Stats
Below is a detailed comparison between Lionel Messi and Diego Maradona's FIFA World Cup stats as Messi equalled Maradona's FIFA World Cup goals tally.
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Matches played
As of 26th November 2022, Messi has played a total of 21 FIFA World Cup games equaling Maradona's record. In his next game against Poland, he will eventually go past the late great. This will make him the most capped Argentine player in the World Cup finals.
Goals scored
With his stunning goal against Mexico in the FIFA World Cup 2022, the PSG striker has equalled Mardaon's total number of 21 goals in the FIFA World Cup for Argentina.
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Messi's goals in FIFA World Cup by each edition
| FIFA World Cup edition | Matches | Goals | Goals Per Game |
| 2006 | 3 | 1 | 0.33 |
| 2010 | 5 | 0 | 0 |
| 2014 | 7 | 4 | 0.57 |
| 2018 | 4 | 1 | 0.25 |
| 2022* | 2* | 2* | 1.00* |
Note: * means current season
Diego Maradona in FIFA World Cup by each edition
| FIFA World Cup edition | Matches | Goals | Goals Per Game |
| 1982 | 5 | 2 | 0.40 |
| 1986 | 7 | 5 | 0.71 |
| 1990 | 7 | 0 | 0 |
| 1994 | 2 | 1 | 0.50 |
Read Also: Players with the most appearances in football World Cup
Read Also: Footballer to score in Five World Cups: Cristiano Ronaldo becomes first male player to score in 5 World Cups
Assist Provided | Messi vs Maradona World Cup stats
In his FIFA World Cup career, till now, Messi has provided 6 assists to his teammates. Whereas, Maradona has 8 assists against his name in his 21 FIFA World Cup games across 4 FIFA World Cups.
Messi vs Maradona | FIFA World Cup wins and awards
With the all-important win against Mexico in the FIFA World Cup, Messi has surpassed Maradona's record of 12 wins in the FIFA World Cups. Leo now has 13 wins against his name and will surely love to add to that tally.
Maradona had captained the La Albiceleste 16th times in the FIFA World Cups. He took the team to two world cup finales (1986, 1990) and emerged as the champions in the 1986 FIFA World Cup. Meanwhile, Lionel Messi captained the team in 14 games and has taken the team to one FIFA World Cup finale in 2014. All eyes will be on him as he sets up for the last dance on the grandest stage of world football.
When it comes to individual awards, both Messi and Maradona won the Golden Ball award once. Maradona won in 1986 and Messi replicated it in 2014. Maradona also won the Bronze ball in the 1990 edition of the World Cup.