Why is Diego Maradona praised more than Lionel Messi?

[ChicanaChick]

A relative recently visited Argentina as tourist not so long ago and the people there glorified a former World Cup soccer cheater (he used handball against England) and drug user. That's a bad example for young people. In comparison Lionel Messi won the soccer World Cup fair and square, doesn't do drugs and is a stable, married man with kids.

What's wrong with that picture? That's rare to find; someone rich, a known soccer celebrity and humble person at the same time that doesn't cheat and is loyal to his wife.

Updates

1 y

When someone cheats on anything to win or achieve (whether it's on a game, on exams, on research projects, etc), that actually makes me lose respect for them. I don't like unethical people.

[HighValue]

I don't like cheaters in sports either. I just watched the NWSL final and the refaree allowed cheating twice that lead to Orlando Pride beating Washington Spirit by one goal. One cheating call allowed the single goal for Pride and one cheating call (not calling a clear foul in the goalie box) denied Spirit a deserved penalty shot.

[AviatorTom]

Maybe because Maradona is an Argentine hero getting away with "the hand of God", while Messi has left Argentina to play soccer in the US... for lots of money.

[AI Opinion]

Diego Maradona and Lionel Messi are both celebrated for different reasons. Maradona is revered for his larger-than-life persona, his incredible skill on the field, and his role in leading Argentina to World Cup victory in 1986. His handball against England, known as the "Hand of God," is infamous yet iconic. Messi, on the other hand, is praised for his consistent excellence, humility, and clean image. Loyalty and character traits certainly endear Messi to fans worldwide, but Maradona's legacy in Argentina reflects a deep cultural connection and nostalgia. Each player's legacy resonates differently based on personal and national experiences. ⚽🌟

[Jennz6]

You know everything

[Desi_Butcher]

You're not making it a fair comparison. (sarcasm)
Ethics in people these days ain't so commonly found. If you're ethical, consider yourself not a part of crowd and that crowd ofc is against you.
So, be prepared to face aggressive reactions.
But don't let that hold you back from being ethical. It's fair what you're saying but that's the world we're living in. Dignity and integrity holds no value.