Lionel Messi and Diego Maradona are two footballers that make Argentina proud, but the question begs: Who is the better player? In reality, it's hard to compare, but one football legend is convinced that pitting Messi and Maradona would be futile. Both Argentines boast of remarkable achievements, but they operate in different worlds.
In terms of personal and club honors, it's easy to point out that the dominant force is Messi. The Barcelona captain is the owner of multiple domestic titles and Champions League crowns. And he has dominated the Ballon d'Or six times.
Messi, however, still lacks a World Cup win, which in turn is the highlight of Maradona's football conquest. The older Argentine was part of the squad that captured the 1986 World Cup for the South American nation.
And Maradona has bragging rights to honors in European football as well. He powered Napoli to two Serie A wins. These accomplishments might prove inferior when compared to Messi's, but according to Fabio Cannavaro, Maradona will still emerge as the best player of all time.
Cannavaro spoke from experience as he had close encounters with both men. The Italian started his professional career with Napoli, and Maradona was there helping out the club to win domestic titles.
When Cannavaro transferred to Barcelona, Messi has already reached superstar status, and the Italian said what the Argentine was getting was well-deserved.
"I respect Messi a lot. For the new generation he is one of the best, but Maradona is different because the football was different back then," Cannavaro said, and per the report from Metro.
He is explained that Maradona is a cut above the rest because of the manner that the football great played. The Argentine was focused, intense and tough, which seemingly were the qualities that prepared him when "they kicked him a lot."
"Messi is top, but Maradona is another world. I never compare him with other players. I never saw Pele, but I watched Maradona, for seven years I saw every game. He's not one of the best, he's the best," declared Cannavaro.
Adding his voice to the discussion, former Argentine defender Roberto Ayala echoed the observation shared by Cannavaro that while Messi and Maradona are both football greats, they are different significantly.
"Diego was pure art in all his mannerisms, Messi a Speedy Gonzalez who carries the ball two centimeters from his foot," Goal reported Ayala as saying.
Ayala added: "I played with both of them ... They are two footballing giants, and when he retires, Messi will be remembered. I don't know if it'll be like Diego, it doesn't matter. They are different."
