Messi spares a thought

MADRID – Lionel Messi said he hopes former Argentina great Diego Maradona returns to full health soon, the day after scoring a goal similar to Maradona’s classic solo effort against England at the 1986 World Cup.

The 19-year-old Argentine dribbled from inside his own half to score Barcelona’s second goal in a 5-2 semi-final first leg victory over Getafe in the King’s Cup on Wednesday. “Diego has always backed me and I hope he gets well soon.The whole of Argentina wants him back well again because we miss him,” Messi said after the game.Maradona, who sunk England in the quarter-finals in Mexico, is recovering in a Buenos Aires hospital from abdominal pains, and has recently been treated for alcoholic hepatitis that doctors have linked to heavy drinking.Messi received a pass from Xavi in his own half, dodged two players and sprinted towards the Getafe goal.He then swerved past two more defenders before rounding the keeper to score from a tight angle.”I saw the space and went for it as I always do.I saw Samuel (Eto’o) was in a good position to do a one-two as I neared the area but with two defenders nearby, so I took it on myself,” he explained.Nampa-Reuters”Diego has always backed me and I hope he gets well soon.The whole of Argentina wants him back well again because we miss him,” Messi said after the game.Maradona, who sunk England in the quarter-finals in Mexico, is recovering in a Buenos Aires hospital from abdominal pains, and has recently been treated for alcoholic hepatitis that doctors have linked to heavy drinking.Messi received a pass from Xavi in his own half, dodged two players and sprinted towards the Getafe goal.He then swerved past two more defenders before rounding the keeper to score from a tight angle.”I saw the space and went for it as I always do.I saw Samuel (Eto’o) was in a good position to do a one-two as I neared the area but with two defenders nearby, so I took it on myself,” he explained.Nampa-Reuters