Messi dominates the World Cup, a global war rages for Maradona's ghost

Messi dominates the World Cup, a global war rages for Maradona’s ghost traces how Argentina’s football culture is split between present-day success and an unresolved legal battle over Diego Maradona’s image. At AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, fans—including Juan Manuel Garcia of Rosario—watched Lionel Messi extend his scoring streak as Argentina completed a group-stage sweep in the 2026 World Cup. While Messi’s global brand draws sponsors, Maradona’s likeness is reportedly missing from major campaigns due to long-running disputes spanning countries, courts, and patent offices. Maradona died in 2020 after brain surgery without a will, leaving five acknowledged children. The article says a fraud case is ongoing after associates were accused of profiting illegally, and that contact between family members is now handled through lawyers. The fight involves Sattvica, a company created in 2015 by Maradona’s lawyer, Matias Morla.