The FIFA World Cup 2026 final between Argentina and Spain is being viewed as more than just a football showdown. While both teams compete for the biggest prize in football, the final has also drawn political attention due to the contrasting positions of both nations on the Israel-Palestine conflict. Argentina’s President Javier Milei has strengthened ties with Israel and received public support from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ahead of the final. Meanwhile, Spain’s Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has been one of Europe’s strongest critics of Israel’s military actions in Gaza and has supported Palestinian statehood.

Argentina, Spain battle for World Cup Glory amid global political divide | Argentina vs Spain

Argentina football legend Diego Maradona, who is known for making controversial statements, on Tuesday suggested Lionel Messi to hang his boots.

Maradona reckoned that the Argentina striker should not bother coming back as he always gets the blame for everything.

When asked Maradona to clarify his statement, he said, "Yes, because if the U15 team loses, it’s Messi’s fault, an Argentina fixture messes up the domestic calendar for Racing against Boca and Messi is to blame. I’d say-Don’t play anymore, it’s crazy, but let’s see if they’re (AFA) brave,” Maradona said as per an online portal.&nbsp;

Messi, who has scored 65 goals in 128 appearances since making his debut with Argentina in August 2005, has taken an indefinite leave of absence from international football.

When asked to comment, the retired striker, who coached Messi and Argentina from 2008 to 2010, was of the view that Messi should have broken his silence, post their elimination from the 2018 FIFA World Cup.&nbsp;

“Yes, I wish he had sent us all to shit because he’s not to blame for not being world champion. Okay, we had all the hopes in him, but when you go to the racecourse you have the hope that your horse will win and it finishes eighth,” he said.

On the professional front, Maradona has recently been appointed as the coach of the Mexican professional football club, Dorados de Sinaloa. 
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Argentina football legend Diego Maradona, who is known for making controversial statements, on Tuesday suggested Lionel Messi to hang his boots. Maradona reckoned that the Argentina striker should not bother coming back as he always gets the blame for everything.

Argentina football legend Diego Maradona, who is known for making controversial statements, on Tuesday suggested Lionel Messi to hang his boots. Maradona reckoned that the Argentina striker should not bother coming back as he always gets the blame for everything. When asked Maradona to clarify his statement, he said, "Yes, because if the U15 team loses, it’s Messi’s fault, an Argentina fixture messes up the domestic calendar for Racing against Boca and Messi is to blame. I’d say-Don’t play anymore, it’s crazy, but let’s see if they’re (AFA) brave,” Maradona said as per an online portal. Messi, who has scored 65 goals in 128 appearances since making his debut with Argentina in August 2005, has taken an indefinite leave of absence from international football. When asked to comment, the retired striker, who coached Messi and Argentina from 2008 to 2010, was of the view that Messi should have broken his silence, post their elimination from the 2018 FIFA World Cup. “Yes, I wish he had sent us all to shit because he’s not to blame for not being world champion. Okay, we had all the hopes in him, but when you go to the racecourse you have the hope that your horse will win and it finishes eighth,” he said. On the professional front, Maradona has recently been appointed as the coach of the Mexican professional football club, Dorados de Sinaloa.

Diego Maradona tells Lionel Messi to quit Argentina team

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Argentina, Spain battle for World Cup Glory amid global political divide | Argentina vs Spain

Diego Maradona tells Lionel Messi to quit Argentina team