On the eve of the World Cup semi-final between Argentina and England, a reporter donned a giant Lionel Messi mask and walked into a bar full of England fans in Atlanta, Georgia. The reaction was immediate: boos rang out, one man shouted 'You cheating b*****d,' and fans broke into a chorus of 'Hey Jude' in honor of Jude Bellingham. Despite the taunts, the experiment revealed that Messi does not inspire the same level of hatred as Diego Maradona, whose 'Hand of God' goal in 1986 made him a villain in England.
Creating the Mask
The three-foot cutout of Messi's head was purchased from a Miami sports shop. The reporter, Zak Garner-Purkis, struggled to turn it into a wearable mask without damaging the face. He avoided puncturing eyeholes and instead attached a Thor superhero helmet to the back using quick-setting adhesive glue and Gorilla tape. The result allowed limited visibility—only about three feet ahead—leaving him vulnerable to any attacks.
Fan Reactions
Walking through the crowd outside Hudson Grille, the giant head drew mixed responses. While England fans booed and shouted insults, some Argentinians and Americans stopped for photos. One man with a northern accent called the stunt a 'f******* embarrassment.' The reporter's colleague noted that fans on the balcony leaned out, pointing and shouting 'f*** off.' The experiment ended when the reporter decided to leave due to poor visibility and fear of being knocked down.
Comparison to Maradona
Unlike Maradona, Messi is not a hate figure in England. He had never faced the Three Lions before this World Cup semi-final and is known for his quiet lifestyle—sipping mate tea and going to bed early. The reporter concluded that while Messi may not be adored before a crunch match, he is far less controversial than Maradona. Some fans might even wish him well in the final.
