Lionel Messi pays Diego Maradona tribute from the USA 94 World Cup as he poses in the iconic jersey

Lionel Messi has paid tribute to Argentina's ultimate soccer idol Diego Maradona by posing in the kit he wore when he scored his last goal for his country.

Maradona scored against Greece at the 1994 World Cup - which was held in the United States - before being thrown out the tournament after testing positive for ephedrine.

But the symbolism of Messi posing in the shirt will not be lost on his millions of fans across the globe.

Messi, the current No 10 for his national team propelled Argentina to World Cup glory himself in 2022 and with tournament glory, truly established himself in the same bracket as Maradona in his home country.

Furthermore, Messi is of course now based in the United States with Inter Miami and the US is a co-host of the 2026 World Cup alongside Mexico and Canada.

Lionel Messi shared pictures of him wearing the Argentina strip from the USA 1994 World Cup

It was the same design worn by Argentina legend Diego Maradona at his last World Cup 

He so far appears to be loving life in the US and has led Miami to two wins from his first two games.

He scored a sensational 90th minute winner in his first game - a substitute appearance against Cruz Azul in the Leagues Cup.

He then scored twice in the first 22 minutes as Miami beat Atlanta United 4-0 on Tuesday.

Messi and his new team are back in action on Wednesday night against Florida rivals Orlando.

As for the World Cup, the 36-year-old Messi has previously hinted that the 2026 World Cup might come a bit too late for him, when he will be 39.

Speaking recently to Titan Sports around Argentina's friendly against Australia in June, he said: 'I think not. This was my last World Cup.

'I'll see how things go but in principle, I won't go to the next World Cup.' 

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