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How did Diego Maradona and Lionel Messi contribute to Argentina’s football history?

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Diego Maradona and Lionel Messi are widely regarded as two of the greatest footballers in history and have been instrumental in shaping Argentina’s success on the international stage.123

Diego Maradona
Maradona is best remembered for his legendary performance at the 1986 FIFA World Cup, where he captained Argentina to victory. During the tournament, he scored two iconic goals against England in the quarterfinals: the "hand of God" goal and the "goal of the century," the latter of which showcased his exceptional dribbling skills. Over his career, he represented Argentina in four World Cups (1982, 1986, 1990, and 1994) and later served as the national team's coach from 2008 to 2010.12

Lionel Messi
Messi has been a cornerstone of the Argentine national team since 2005. His contributions include:4
* World Cup Success: He led Argentina to the 2022 World Cup title, scoring two goals in the final and winning the tournament's Golden Ball.14
* Individual Accolades: He has won a record-setting eight Ballon d’Or awards.3
* Continental Success: He led Argentina to victory in the Copa América in 2021 and 2024.4