A comparison between Lionel Messi and Diego Maradona once again set social media ablaze during the 2026 World Cup.
The image shows both footballers at 38 years old. On one side is Messi, who is still competing at the highest level and maintains remarkable physical condition. On the other, Maradona in a stage of his life when he was already retired and had gained weight.
The comparison generated thousands of comments and divided opinion among fans.
Some users highlighted Messi’s physical discipline and the level of preparation that has allowed him to remain competitive at an age when most footballers are already retired.
However, others considered the comparison unfair and pointed out that Maradona belonged to a completely different generation, with training, nutrition, and recovery methods far removed from today’s standards.
“Enough of the bad faith. They were very different times; nobody made it like Messi or Cristiano to play in a sixth World Cup”, wrote one user, in one of the most shared comments.
The debate also led many to reflect on how professional football has evolved over the past decades. Today, players have specialized teams in nutrition, performance analysis, sports medicine, and physical recovery, tools that did not exist in the same way in Maradona’s years.
Beyond who is right, the image once again showed something that happens every time the names Messi and Maradona appear together: debate is guaranteed.
Because for some, the comparison highlights Messi’s professionalism. For others, it simply ignores the context of a completely different era.