World Cup 2022: Diego Maradona’s Son Tears Into Lionel Messi After Argentina’s Defeat to Saudi Arabia

World Cup 2022: Diego Maradona’s Son Tears Into Lionel Messi After Argentina’s Defeat to Saudi Arabia

Fred Kennedy
updated at April 12, 2023 at 8:17 PM
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  • Diego Maradona's son has launched a scathing attack on Lionel Messi in the wake of Argentina's World Cup loss to Saudi Arabia
  • Argentina, who have widely been touted as the favourites to win the 2022 edition of the World Cup, were humbled 2-1 in their Group C opener
  • Maradona Jr used the opportunity to aim a subtle dig at Messi, claiming that the PSG star cannot compare to his late dad
  • Messi was on target during his side's heartbreaking defeat, but his goal was not enough to help Argentina avoid a slip-up

Diego Maradona's son, Diego Maradon Jr, has torn into Lionel Messi following Argentina's shock World Cup defeat to Saudi Arabia.

Argentina kicked off their 2022 World Cup campaign on the worst possible note after they were humbled 2-1 by Saudi Arabia in their Group C opener on Tuesday, November 22.

The South American football giants went into the tie as firm favourites, thanks to their strong squad and impressive run of form in their previous matches.

Lionel Messi, Argentina, FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, Saudi Arabia, Lusail Stadium, Diego Maradona.
Lionel Messi looks dejected during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Group C match between Argentina and Saudi Arabia at Lusail Stadium. Photo by Harry Langer.
Source: Getty Images

However, that was not the case when they locked horns with Hervé Renard's men at Lusail Stadium.

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Despite taking an early lead in 10 minutes of action through Messi, Argentina lost the three points after Saudi Arabia sprung a stunning comeback to score twice within five minutes.

Diego Maradona Jr hits out at Messi

Maradona Jr has now taken issue with Messi's performance during the World Cup cracker, with the son of the late Argentine football icon tearing into the PSG star.

Speaking after the match, Maradona Jr said he was devastated by the loss as he took issue with those comparing Messi with his late father.

According to him, Diego Maradona has no match, and those comparing him to Messi do not understand football.

“I am devastated by the defeat of Argentina. I find it hard to believe that all this really happened. Losing to Saudi Arabia is crazy," Maradona Jr told Radio Marte in Italy via Diario AS.
“The comparison between Messi and my dad is made by those who don’t see and don’t understand football," he added.

Martinez's offside goal

Sports Brief also earlier reported on new evidence which suggested Lautaro Martinez's offside goal should have stood against Saudi Arabia.

Martinez chipped the ball over Saudi Arabia's goalkeeper Mohammed Alowais, but after a long review, the goal was chalked off for offside.

In a set of photographs presented by Flashscore, VAR appeared not to look at Saudi Arabia's fullback Yasser Alshahrani who kept Martinez onside. Messi was the one who was clearly offside but did not interfere with the play.

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Fred Kennedy
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