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GOAT MEETS GOAT

What happened when Lionel Messi and Diego Maradona were team-mates in 2005?

The legends first linked up alongside each other for an Argentinian charity match

It’s an age-old football debate, Lionel Messi or Diego Maradona?

Fans can never agree on whether the Barcelona No10 has surpassed the level set by his footballing idol, but did you know that the pair were actually once team-mates?

During an Argentinian charity match in 2005, Messi and Maradona lined up alongside each other, giving us one of football’s greatest moments.

The hand of God, the back of GOAT

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The hand of God, the back of GOAT

The match also featured other Argentinian legends, with the likes of Juan Riquelme, Diego Simeone, Marcelo Gallardo, Sergio Aguero and Juan Sebastian Veron also featuring.

Messi and Maradona have since played together in other charity matches, the most recent of these coming in 2016.

But this occasion in 2005, with an 18-year-old Messi just starting his career and Maradona mobile enough to impress with the ball at his feet, makes it the most special.

On one occasion, Maradona starts an attack for his side after a classic turn in midfield before finding his prodigy.

Squad goals

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Squad goals

The pair combine brilliantly with a series of one-twos between them, as Maradona sets Messi up for what would have been a superb assist had the Barca man’s effort not been saved.

This is the closest fans will ever get to seeing these two legends performing together in their prime.

Enjoy it…


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