The 2014 World Cup will place a tremendous amount of pressure on a number of major stars. Among those stars is Argentina's Lionel Messi. Long considered the best player in the world, Messi has often been omitted from the conversation about whether or not he is the greatest soccer player of all time. One of the reasons for this situation is that Messi has yet to achieve what another Argentinean did back in 1986. That man was Diego Armando Maradona, who single-handedly (pun intended) brought the Cup to Argentina.

Much like Ronaldo's story in 1998 and 2002, Maradona's was also one of redemption. In 1982, the 21-year-old was expected to lead Argentina to the promised land and defend the title it had won on home soil four years earlier. But the young star was not ready for the limelight despite scoring twice against Hungary in the opening round. However, he was aggressively defended throughout the tournament, and he eventually erupted in the crucial game against Brazil. He was ejected from the match and Argentina failed to go further in the tournament.

Prior to the 1986 tournament in Mexico, Maradona was named the team captain, a controversial decision given his age (25) and his performance four years earlier. Moreover, many questioned whether Argentina had the offensive power to make a run in the tournament because of a new defensive approach instilled by coach Carlo Bilardo. Bilardo previous stated that people wanted Maradona off the team after the 1982 incident, but he stuck with his captain.

And it would be his finest decision. Maradona had a tame first-round with only a goal in three games; the lone tally came against Italy. His team would win their round of 16 match against Uruguay 1-0 with Maradona not registering much.

But the Argentinean's moment would come in the ensuing game. Two of the most famous goals ever scored would make their appearances in that match against England. Maradona's first and most infamous tally resulted from him jumping at an aerial cross and using his palm to nudge it past England's keeper into the net. The referees and linesmen failed to see the use of the hand, but posterity has not. The goal is now known as the "Hand of God."

But that goal was nothing compared to the godly display from Maradona just four minutes later. He received a pass in his own half, gained control and dribbled around two English defenders surrounding him. Then he charged up the field with the ball on his feet and dribbled past two more defenders and the goalie before firing the shot into the net and giving Argentina a 2-0 lead that they would never relinquish.

That game alone would win Maradona plaudits, but he was not finished just yet. He scored another two goals in the semifinal against Belgium in a 2-0 victory. The first tally saw him beat two defenders to the ball in the box, which he poked home. The second goal was another dazzling display of dribbling in which he darted past three Belgium defenders and slotted the shot home.

In the final, he was shutdown by West Germany but still managed to get an assist on the winning goal and earn himself a Golden Ball.

Maradona was terrific with the ball on his feet, a characteristic shared by Messi. Another characteristic shared with Messi is the fact that both had one woeful World Cup tournament in which they were expected to shine. Maradona bounced back from a poor showing 1982 to lead Argentina to glory in 1986. Messi failed to score a single goal in 2010 and needs to make the most of this 2014 tournament. Will Argentina's history repeat itself?

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