​July 16 (UPI) — Lionel Messi called Argentina’s comeback win over England in a 2026 World Cup semifinal “a gift for” late soccer legend Diego Maradona.Messi made the comments when he met with reporters Wednesday in Atlanta. The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner assisted on each of Argentina’s two goals in the second- half rally.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementMaradona, who died in 2020, previously coached Messi while leading Argentina’s national team from 2008 to 2010, including at the 2010 World Cup.”We shared some wonderful moments,” Messi said. “In 2010, at the World Cup, he had a brilliant spell. We talked about the opposition and the matches in that tournament.”Today, wherever he is, he’ll be happy, enjoying all of this, given how much the national team meant to him and the legacy he left behind. It’s a gift for him.”Argentina’s Lionel Messi celebrates after beating England 2-1 in a 2026 World Cup semifinal Wednesday in Atlanta. Photo by Christian Brunskill/UPIMessi has been compared to Maradona throughout his career. He scored nearly 100 more international goals than the man he considered an idol as a child. With another victory, Messi also can surpass Maradona by leading the Argentines to a second World Cup title.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementMessi gave credit to fans for assisting Wednesday’s win and said the Argentinians’ latest run proved their placement among the world’s elite teams.Argentina’s Lionel Messi reacts after a win over England in a 2026 World Cup semifinal Wednesday in Atlanta. Photo by Christian Brunskill/UPI”It’s crazy what this group has just achieved once again, reaching a World Cup Final,” Messi said. “We come from being world champions. We have been the best over the last four years.”No matter who it hurts or what they say, today we once again we place ourselves among the two best in the world and that shows that everything we did is not by chance and that no one gave us anything. Reaching two World Cup Finals in a row is no small feat, and this group achieved it.”Argentina soccer legend Diego Maradona, who died in 2020, coached Lionel Messi at the 2010 World Cup. File Photo by Chris Brunskill/UPIMessi also said he was confident of Argentina’s ability to advance in the World Cup.”I’ve never doubted, and I knew that at the very least, we would be among the final four, and that this group, when they come together, brings out something special from where they don’t have it,” Messi said.Argentina’s Lionel Messi will battle Spain in the 2026 World Cup Final on Sunday in East Rutherford, N.J. File Photo by Christian Brunskill/UPIArgentina will look to join Italy and Brazil as the only teams to win consecutive World Cups when they face Spain in the finale Sunday in East Rutherford, N.J. The No. 2 Spaniards are half-goal favorites over the top-ranked reigning champions.