Maradona, last generation's star, the fiery striker who in 1986 led Argentina to its second World Cup, is now the man building a team around his own successor. He aims to bring his country a second gold trophy, using primarily the left foot of Messi.
It's a poetic mix of drama and fine soccer - the drama coming from Maradona, the fine soccer from Messi.
The on-field similarities are numerous - like Maradona, Messi is small and fast, a pinpoint passer, and a remarkable dribbler. Off the field, however, Messi is private and reserved, Maradona as volatile as a shaken Coca-Cola. (In recent days, Maradona said Brazilian soccer great Pele should "go back to the museum" after Pele criticized Maradona's coaching.)
On Thursday, tens of thousands of Argentina fans, sporting the white and baby blue, wended their way toward Soccer City, wrapped in flags and chanting, as Argentine fans are known to do. Only two jerseys stood out in the crowd, both No. 10: Messi and Maradona.
A few hours later, Argentina had won its second of two matches in this World Cup, easily defeating South Korea, 4-1, at Soccer City. Messi didn't score - he has yet to score in two matches - but he was the axis around which all four goals found the net. Each time Messi touched the ball, the crowd rose as if blown by a wind, waiting to see what he might do next.
"So far no player can compare with Messi at this tournament . . . with him, you have so many possibilities," said Maradona, speaking at a news conference before the team's match against South Korea. "I want to be champion, and I have Messi on board with a wonderful team behind him."
