article_snippet: When I see Messi scoring against Espanyol, diving to touch the ball with his hand, people say, 'What a genius, now his is closer than ever to Maradona.'
article_snippet: Messi scored a goal with Messi hand in Barcelona's league match with Espanyol back in June 2007 .
article_snippet: Diego Maradona's infamous 'Hand of God' moment against England at the 1986 World Cup .
article_snippet: The 37-year-old, who is now a pundit on Sky Sports, left Barcelona for New York Red Bulls shortly after the handball controversy, which occurred in a qualification play-off, second leg at the Stade de France in Paris.
highlights_snippet: Adds that Lionel Messi was labelled a 'genius' for handball goal for Barcelona against Espanyol in 2007 .