Lionel Messi said he hopes former Argentina great Diego Maradona returns to full health soon, the day after scoring a goal similar to Maradona's classic solo effort against England at the 1986 World Cup. The 19-year-old Argentine dribbled from inside his own half to score Barcelona's second goal in a 5-2 semi-final first leg victory over Getafe in the King's Cup on Wednesday.

"Diego has always backed me and I hope he gets well soon. The whole of Argentina wants him back well again because we miss him," Messi said after the game.

Maradona, who sunk England in the quarter-finals in Mexico, is recovering in a Buenos Aires hospital from abdominal pains, and has recently been treated for alcoholic hepatitis that doctors have linked to heavy drinking.

Messi received a pass from Xavi in his own half, dodged two players and sprinted towards the Getafe goal. He then swerved past two more defenders before rounding the goalkeeper to score from a tight angle. "I saw the space and went for it as I always do. I saw Samuel (Eto'o) was in a good position to do a one-two as I neared the area but with two defenders nearby, so I took it on myself," he explained.

The goal dominated the front page of yesterday's sports newspapers. Diagrams of the numbers of players passed and the distances covered were thrown up to make minute comparisons with Maradona's effort. The fact Messi's was in a King's Cup semi-final as opposed to a World Cup quarter-final was perhaps the only detracting factor from the young player's strike, though he carried the ball at a greater pace.

Barcelona-based daily Sport said "Messi Superstar" on its front page while the Marca Web site led with "Messidona." Barca coach Frank Rijkaard described the move as a "work of art."