Historic Messi and new national holiday in Argentina
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Reading Time: 3min | Tue. 23.06.26. | 10:34
On June 22, 1986, Diego Armando Maradona scored the most famous and infamous goals in football history. Exactly 40 years later, Lionel Messi carved out his own place in football folklore
Argentina observes around a dozen national holidays each year, with May Revolution Day (May 25), Independence Day (July 9) and San Martin Day (August 17) among the most important. The saint patroness of Argentina is Our Lady of Lujan, whose day is commemorated on May 8.
However, as of yesterday, Argentinians may have another date worth celebrating. Not because of historic or religious reasons, nor because of its statehood, but because of an equally essential thing for any Argentine - football.
From now on, every Argentine who carries La Albiceleste in their heart will remember June 22 and two men who gave them neither independence nor divine protection, but something almost as precious - unforgettable joy.
On June 22, 1986, Diego Armando Maradona became arguably the greatest footballer ever. On that day, he single-handedly humiliated England and delivered what many Argentinians saw as footballing revenge for the Falklands War.
Was it deliberate cheating or divine intervention? But what followed 4 minutes later was a moment to remember!#OnThisDay in 1986, Diego Maradona in the same match, scored the 'Hand of God' and the 'Goal of the Century' to beat England 2-1 in Football's 'Falklands War' at the…
— The Sidelines (@thesidelinesLK) June 22, 2026
On that day, Maradona scored the most famous and most infamous goals in football history. Goals so iconic that each of them has its own name - The Hand of God and Goal of the Century.
After that quarter-final win over the Three Lions, Diego led Argentina to their second World Cup title and sealed his place in this country's history.
22 June 1986: Maradona scores the Hand of God and THAT goal v England
— Kaustubh Pandey (@Kaus_Pandey17) June 22, 2026
22 June 2026: Messi becomes the highest scorer in WC history.
Something magical about all this, especially as all of it was a prophecy in Argentina folklore.
Forty years later, on June 22, Lionel Messi added another chapter to football's history books - books that already bear his name on countless pages - becoming the World Cup all-time leading scorer.
With a brace against Austria, Leo reached the tally of 18 goals, surpassing Miroslav Klose, who had scored 16.
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But make no mistake — he won’t stop there. There’s still magic in his feet and fire in his heart whenever he wears the sky-blue and white shirt.
Argentina have found the net five times in the tournament so far, and all five have come from Messi.
Four years ago, he led La Albiceleste to the World Cup throne, but now, he looks more determined than ever to repeat that success, despite being 38.
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Nevertheless, no matter what Argentina do in the USA, Mexico and Canada, Messi’s legacy and glory will not fade.
Even if he and his teammates fail, and even if Kylian Mbappe eventually breaks the newly set record - in a few weeks or a few years - it won't change a thing.
Messi will still be a deity in his homeland, just like Diego. He'll still be one of the greatest football has ever had, just like Diego. He'll have June 22, just like Diego.
And Argentina will have another unofficial national holiday - the day its two greatest magicians touched immortality.
WORLD CUP - GROUP STAGE (ROUND 2)
Group J
Monday 22.06.
Argentina - Austria 2-0 (1-0)
/Messi 38, 90+5/
Tuesday 23.06.
Jordan - Algeria 1-2 (1-0)
/Al Rashdan 36 - Benbouali 69, Gouiri 82/