A New Record on the Pitch
Lionel Messi has etched his name further into football history, surpassing Diego Maradona’s long-standing World Cup assist record during Argentina’s 3-2 Round of 16 victory over Egypt. Messi’s ninth assist in the competition—a crucial setup for teammate Cristian Romero—pushed him past Maradona’s total of eight. In the same match, Messi also became the first player to score 20 World Cup goals, extending his scoring streak to nine consecutive tournament games.
The Shadow of a Legal War
While Messi’s on-field performance continues to drive commercial success, the legacy of his predecessor, Diego Maradona, remains caught in a complex web of litigation. According to reporting by The Business Standard, Maradona’s estate has become the subject of a multi-jurisdictional legal battle that has divided his family and left global investors in a state of uncertainty.
Following Maradona’s death in 2020, his brand rights became a contested currency. A Buenos Aires court ruled in January that his children are the rightful heirs, ordering the company Sattvica—established by Maradona’s former aide Matias Morla—to halt new business operations. Despite this, conflicting claims persist across various countries, with multiple entities asserting they hold exclusive licensing rights to the late icon’s image.
Commercial Stakes
The disputes have had tangible consequences for global brands. Electronic Arts was forced to remove Maradona from its “EA FC” video game franchise following conflicting claims before reaching a settlement with his heirs in 2025. Similarly, Italian club Napoli faced legal challenges regarding the use of his likeness on team merchandise. As the 2026 World Cup continues, the contrast between Messi’s streamlined brand management and the chaotic, litigious state of Maradona’s posthumous intellectual property serves as a stark reminder of the financial stakes surrounding football’s greatest icons.