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Messi looking to go one better than Maradona

Lionel Messi, right, celebrates a goal with teammate Juan Sebastian Veron during their Copa America semi-final against Mexico on Wednesday in Puerto Ordaz, Venezuela. PHOTO: AFP

The player touted as Argentina's next Maradona has a chance this weekend to claim a championship never won by the soccer great: The Copa America.

Lionel Messi will be a key part of Argentina's side against defending champions Brazil in the final tomorrow, and the 20-year-old referred to as "Messidona" in Spain hopes to avoid repeating the Copa futility of his famed predecessor.

Diego Maradona played in three South American championships in 1979, 1987 (in Argentina) and 1989 but couldn't even lead the Albiceleste to a final.

Maradona has been the unrealistic benchmark for Messi ever since his soccer talent was publicly hailed at age 13. Maradona even anointed Messi his successor, telling the BBC last year: "I have seen the player who will inherit my place in Argentine football and his name is Messi."

The parallels are impressive.

Both were crowned the best player in Argentina's 1979 and 2005 championship runs at Under-20 World Cups, and both debuted in Europe for FC Barcelona, Maradona at 21 and Messi at 17.

When Messi dribbled out of Barcelona's half, past six defenders, and scored against Getafe in the Copa del Rey semi-finals in April, the goal was celebrated around the world, and compared to Maradona's wonder goal against England in the 1986 World Cup.

Last month, a sneaky touch-in with his hand drew more comparisons with Maradona's "Hand of God" goal in the same match.
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