This article mentions explicit content.
The debate over “Messi or Cristiano?” is not a novel one whatsoever. The topic has been a long-standing one among soccer enthusiasts for well over a decade. But recently, this age-old question has taken a new twist, thanks to Kevin Moreno, better known as Kevin AMF. His latest hit “Maradona” has united Mexican, Brazilian, Argentinian, and Portuguese cultures through their passion for soccer and has become an anthem for many.
For those unfamiliar with Diego Maradona, he was an Argentinian professional soccer player in the 80’s. As a midfielder, he led his national selection to win the 1986 World Cup in Mexico City which consolidated his position as one the greatest soccer players in history. Throughout his prolific career, he played in the top soccer clubs worldwide like Barcelona, Napoli, and Sevilla. Ultimately, in 2020 he passed at the age of 60 from a heart attack, a devastating loss for the entire soccer community.
“Maradona” is not another catchy reggaeton song that will become long forgotten in a month or two. The song perfectly highlights why Moreno rose to fame alongside his ability to resonate with young audiences. The Mexican singer caught people’s attention through his playfully mixed obscenities, insights into the party-animal lifestyle, and his celebration of life. At only 16 years old, Moreno’s high-pitched voice and baby face became part of Mexican youth culture, initially casting him as more of a meme than a serious artist—people went as far as comparing him to Stingy from the kid’s show “Lazy Town” and making meme templates of both next to each other. However, song after song, Moreno managed to stay relevant and even reached the American public this past summer. With the release of “Maradona” in August of 2024, (Which only a month after its release accumulated over 15 million plays on Spotify), Kevin Moreno secured his place as a major player in the Latin urban genre, beyond his meme origins. The song has even sparked a viral TikTok dance prevalent in many user’s feeds.
Alongside Canadian producer and rapper Tiagz, Moreno has carefully crafted a song full of fun tongue-twisting lyrics about partying and identity. Beneath the heavy bass, his lyrics reflect on his place as an artist in the Latino community. Like any public figure, Moreno experiences constant scrutiny and negative comments. In “Maradona,” he responds to such criticism by comparing himself to some of the greatest soccer players in the world, such as Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi. In the song, Moreno poses the question of who might be better: Messi or Cristiano, yet he breaks from the typical debate and names Maradona as the best professional player, implying that just like the legend, he will leave a mark on Latin music for the generations to come.
As a Mexican student at The Village School, it is refreshing to see someone as prominent as Kevin AMF in my social circles back home, becoming the topic of discussion in Houston as well. I can now engage in conversation with people outside of Hispanic culture about Moreno and his songs without feeling like an outsider. “I play this song every morning on my way to school. It’s uplifting and gets me ready for the day,” said senior Kate Schriever. “Maradona” is not just a song; it’s a cultural bridge and a testament to how far the right mix of talent and authenticity can take an artist, no matter their beginnings. This being said, I rate this song a 10/10. “Maradona” is a song that transcends culture while energizing and uniting people, which is why I believe many students at The Village School enjoy it. If you haven’t listened for yourself, here is the link to “Maradona,”:
https://open.spotify.com/track/3P8siIOHzjtOA8oCglURzL?si=fc3410b72f284625
