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Juan Roman Riquelme has praised Lionel Messi after Argentina’s journey to the 2026 World Cup final, even going as far as to suggest that the captain may have gone past Diego Maradona. The Boca president also spoke highly of Lionel Scaloni before giving his view on Argentina’s loss to Spain.

Riquelme praises Messi’s legacy

Riquelme looked back on Argentina’s 2026 World Cup campaign by applauding Messi, Scaloni and the national side despite their defeat to Spain in the final. The Boca president saved his strongest praise for Messi, whose displays across the tournament led to yet another Maradona comparison. He also underlined the influence that Scaloni and his coaching team have had on Argentine football.

Messi compared with Maradona

Riquelme feels that every Argentine has been lucky to watch Messi’s career and accepts that the captain has forced supporters to revisit football’s biggest debate.

“We were all fortunate to see Messi. When we had Maradona, we thought there wouldn’t be another like him, and then he appeared, and he even makes us wonder if he’s better,” Riquelme told TyC Sports.

He also praised Scaloni’s record, saying: “Scaloni is among the best in the history of our football. We are grateful for the joy he, his coaching staff, and the players have given us. It makes me very happy because we all grew up together; Scaloni, [Walter] Samuel, and [Pablo] Aimar have known each other since we were 14, and [Roberto] Ayala and I went to the 2006 World Cup together.”

Praise for every generation

While speaking about Argentina’s greatest teams, Riquelme declined to label the current squad as the nation’s best, and instead paid respect to every generation that has brought success. He thanked iconic coaches such as Carlos Bilardo, Cesar Luis Menotti, Alfio Basile and Scaloni, while also recognising Mario Kempes’ part in Argentina’s 1978 World Cup victory even though he never saw him play.

“Bilardo, Menotti, Scaloni, Basile… all the coaches who have won and brought joy to the country, we have to thank them, and also the players who won in each era,” he added. “Winning isn’t easy. Having Maradona was incredible, and having Messi was incredible. I can’t speak about Kempes’s time because I was just born in ’78, when Kempes and all his teammates gave us the World Cup.

“I didn’t see him play, but from what I hear, he was very good, and he was fundamental in that World Cup for the National Team to win. I think we have to thank them all. We are lucky that we were able to see them all play, but as Argentinians, I have to thank them for all the joy they gave us.”

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Forget the defeat in the final

The Argentine players are currently on holiday before returning to their respective clubs. While the Albiceleste are expected to return to action during the upcoming September and October international breaks, they currently have no confirmed fixtures scheduled on the horizon.