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Former Argentine President compared Messi to Maradona after visit to Donald Trump
Mar 12 2026 20:11 · By RYAN MITCHELL · 6 Reads
T he recent meeting between Lionel Messi and President Donald Trump at the White House has transcended the boundaries of sport to become a high-level political debate.
Former Argentine President Alberto Fernandez broke his silence on the event, putting on the table a comparison that always generates sparks in the South American country: the difference between the "Flea" and Diego Armando Maradona.
Former Argentine President questioned Messi's meeting with Trump
The visit of the Inter Miami delegation, the reigning MLS champion, fulfilled the American tradition of receiving the league's monarchs at the presidential residence. However, the image of Messi shaking hands with Trump and receiving praise from the president generated media noise that Fernandez analyzed from a sociological perspective.
In a conversation with Cancha Embarrada, the former president suggested that there is unfair pressure on the Argentina captain to adopt combative political stances.
"I have the impression that not everyone has the level of politicization that some of us have. And suddenly we ask football players of a generation where depoliticization is very evident to have attitudes like those of Maradona," argued Fernandez.
Alberto Fernandez compares Messi to Maradona
For Fernandez, who defined himself as a "fervent Maradona fan", the key lies in the life trajectories of both stars. While Diego was always seen as a symbol of popular resistance, the former Argentine leader recalled that Messi's path has been different since childhood.
(Maradona) He had a commitment to his people that perhaps someone who went to live in Spain at the age of 12 does not have. So what? Am I going to criticize him for that? No. They are different realities
Fernandez's statements only serve to further ignite a controversy over an event that Messi had to attend. The visit can continue to be questioned, but the fact is that there are all kinds of opinions and Messi will remain focused on soccer.