They said lightning doesn't strike twice. Clearly, they'd never met this Argentina team. Because in the space of three years, La Albiceleste have unleashed a storm that's left the footballing world thunderstruck not once or twice, but thrice.

The first bolt unleashed by this team lit up the Maracanã WHEN, ending a 28-year trophy drought as Messi and co. lifted the Copa América. The second, more powerful still, illuminated the Lusail Stadium in Qatar, crowning Argentina world champions in 2022. And now, defying all laws of averages and football, a third magnificent strike has seared across the hallowed turf of Hard Rock stadium.

With this unprecedented treble, the question now looms larger than ever: has Messi finally surpassed Maradona as the ultimate poster boy of Argentine football?

Maradona or Messi: The greatest Argentine debate

The numbers speak volumes. Diego Maradona's 1986 squad etched their names in history with a single, glorious World Cup victory. It was a tournament where El Pibe de Oro's individual brilliance reached mythical proportions, his 'Hand of God' and sublime solo goal against England becoming the stuff of legend.

Fast forward to the present day, and Messi's Argentina boasts an unprecedented haul: the 2021 and 2024 Copa America titles, and the crowning jewel – the 2022 World Cup. Three major international trophies in the space of four years, a consistency of success that even Maradona's golden generation couldn't match.

Despite his legendary status, Diego Maradona never managed to win the Copa América during his illustrious career. His greatest triumph came with the 1986 World Cup, but continental glory eluded him. In stark contrast, Messi has led Argentina to two consecutive Copa América victories, adding a significant chapter to his and the team's legacy that Maradona couldn't quite write.

With each trophy hoisted, each record shattered, the whispers grow louder and a tantalizing question lingers in the air: Has this band of brothers, led by the incomparable Messi, finally surpassed the legends of '86 to claim the mantle of Argentina's greatest ever squad? We tried to find the reasons to believe this:

1. The LM10 factor

At the heart of this revolution stands a diminutive figure with the world at his feet. Lionel Messi, a boy from Rosario, has transformed from Argentina's prodigal son to its savior, its talisman, its beating heart. His journey with the national team reads like a classic redemption arc – from the bitter disappointments and tearful retirement to the sweet vindication of lifting football's most coveted prizes.

As Messi stood arms aloft in the Miami twilight, drinking in the adulation of thousands, it was impossible not to draw comparisons with Maradona's iconic celebrations in 1986. Here was a man who, at 37, continues to bend the very fabric of the game to his will, much like El Diego did in his prime. His touch still bewitches, his vision still dazzles, and his left foot remains a wand capable of conjuring magic at will.

Messi's evolution as a leader has been pivotal to Argentina's success. Once burdened by the weight of expectations, he now wears the captain's armband with a quiet authority, galvanizing his teammates through both word and deed. His record-breaking achievements – now including an unprecedented international treble – have cemented his status not just as Argentina's greatest, but as one of football's all-time icons.

2. A team of stars

But to paint this as a one-man show would be to do a grave injustice to the exceptional squad that has coalesced around their captain. This is a team that has emerged from Messi's shadow to cast a long one of its own.

Emiliano Martínez, once a journeyman keeper, has metamorphosed into a goal-line colossus. His penalty heroics have become the stuff of legend, his theatrics a psychological weapon that has opposition strikers quaking in their boots before they've even placed the ball on the spot.

Up front, the dynamic duo of Lautaro Martínez and Julián Álvarez have proven that there's life after Agüero and Higuaín. Martínez, with his predatory instincts and tireless work rate, complements the silky skills and explosive pace of Álvarez perfectly. It's a partnership that has defenders across the globe waking up in cold sweats.

The engine room of the team is where Argentina truly sets itself apart. Rodrigo De Paul, once considered a luxury player, has reinvented himself as the team's heartbeat. His relentless energy, pinpoint passing, and tactical intelligence provide the platform from which Argentina's attacks are launched. Alongside him, Enzo Fernández, a relative newcomer to the international stage, plays with a maturity that belies his years.

3. Tactical mastery

What sets this Argentina apart from its predecessors is its chameleon-like ability to adapt. Under the shrewd guidance of Lionel Scaloni – a man who has gone from stopgap solution to tactical mastermind – La Albiceleste has developed a flexibility that was sorely lacking in previous generations.

Gone are the days of rigid systems and predictable patterns of play. This Argentina morphs and evolves, sometimes within the same match, to exploit the weaknesses of their opponents. One moment they're suffocating teams with relentless pressing, the next they're sitting deep and striking with lethal efficiency on the break. It's a tactical versatility that has left even the most astute coaches scratching their heads.

4. Mental fortitude

Perhaps most remarkably, this team has exorcised the ghosts of past heartbreaks that have haunted Argentine football for decades. Where previous generations crumbled under the weight of expectation, this squad seems to thrive on it. The mental fortitude on display is a far cry from the fragility that plagued talented Argentine sides of the recent past.

In the crucible of high-stakes tournament football, when the pressure threatens to become suffocating, this team finds another gear. It's in these moments – a last-minute equalizer against the Netherlands, a penalty shootout against France, a backs-to-the-wall defensive masterclass against Brazil – that the true character of this side shines through.

5. Cultural impact

The connection between this team and the Argentine public transcends mere sporting success. In a nation that breathes football, where the sport is less a pastime and more a way of life, La Albiceleste has become a unifying force, a source of collective pride in turbulent times.

Even neutrals find themselves captivated by the blend of flair and fighting spirit embodied by Messi and his compatriots. There's something irresistible about the way they play – a perfect alchemy of South American passion and European pragmatism. Their influence extends beyond the pitch, inspiring a new generation of youngsters and reigniting the passion of long-suffering fans.

Comparisons with ’86 squad

Inevitably, the ghost of Argentina's glorious past looms large over any discussion of footballing greatness. The 1986 squad, with Diego Maradona leading the charge, etched their names into immortality with a mixture of sublime skill and indomitable will, conquering the world in Mexico.

Maradona's team isn't just part of Argentina's sporting history; it's woven into the very fabric of the nation's identity. Their triumph is passed down like a precious heirloom, their stories told and retold in the bustling cafes of Buenos Aires and the windswept bars of Patagonia. Maradona's 'Hand of God' and his sublime solo goal against England – these aren't mere moments, they're cultural touchstones that have shaped generations of Argentines.

Yet, in the face of such a towering legacy, the current squad has done the unthinkable – they've raised the bar even higher. In an era where football has become a truly global game, where talent and tactics have spread to every corner of the planet, this team has achieved what was once thought impossible. They've not just conquered their continent or the world – they've added Europe to their list of conquests, a trifecta that defies belief.

What sets this team apart, what elevates them to legendary status, is not just their on-field success but their ability to unite and inspire a nation. In a country where football pulses through the veins of every citizen, where the sport is less a game and more a reflection of national character, this squad has become a beacon of hope and pride. They embody the fighting spirit, the flair, and the passion that Argentines hold dear.

The verdict

So, who can claim to be the leader of Argentina's greatest football team? The answer lies in the unprecedented consistency and breadth of talent this current team possesses. While Maradona's 1986 squad had their moment of glory and iconic players, the current squad's ability to continuously compete at the highest level and win major trophies sets them apart.

As Messi approaches the twilight of his career, his contributions will be remembered as part of a golden generation that brought joy and pride to Argentine fans worldwide. Whether this team eclipses the legendary status of Maradona's 1986 squad is a matter of personal opinion. However, their achievements speak volumes and will undoubtedly be celebrated for generations to come.