MADRID, June 9 - Argentine Lionel Messi emulated Diego Maradona once again when he scored a replica of his great compatriot's famous "hand of god" goal on Saturday.

With his side trailing 1-0 to city rivals Espanyol after 43 minutes, Messi launched himself at a Gianluca Zambrotta cross and connected with his hand to steer the ball past goalkeeper Carlos Kameni.

The protests to the referee by the Espanyol players were to no avail.

Messi, heralded as Maradona's successor since he broke into the Barcelona first team, earlier this season produced a carbon copy of the former Argentina captain's brilliant solo goal against England at the 1986 World Cup.

Picking the ball up from inside his own half on the right flank in a King's Cup tie against Getafe, he dribbled past two defenders, swerved past two more and rounded the keeper to score from a tight angle.