Listen to the article: Audio text automatically generated by an automated system

0:00

2 minutes to read

Ever since Lionel Messi's stardom emerged at Barcelona, comparisons between him and Diego Maradona have occupied space in the media and social media.

With Lionel Messi's achievements with his club and personal accolades, the comparison shifted from 'who is more skilled' to 'who is the best in history'?

Maradona fans question Lionel Messi's superiority, arguing that he has not achieved success with the Argentine national team while Diego Maradona won the World Cup in 1986, although if VAR technology had existed, the result might have been different!!.

For Maradona fans, Lionel Messi's Olympic gold medal and runner-up finish in the 2014 World Cup have added nothing to his side of the comparison.

It is also striking that some Argentine fans are not happy with winning the 2022 World Cup and reaching the 2026 final, so that it cannot be said that Messi succeeded more with the 'Tango' than Maradona.

Some give the edge to Maradona when comparing his goal from midfield, where he dribbled past all players and the goalkeeper, based on the idea that Messi's goal against Getafe and Maradona's goal against England are similar.

Also striking is that, from the perspective of Maradona fans, Messi's achievements with Barcelona were largely attributed to the presence of Xavi, Iniesta, and Busquets.

If numbers are the decisive factor, the logical basis for comparison, then Lionel Messi surpasses in everything. Personally, I see the comparison as unfair and baseless from a logical standpoint.

Psychologically, those of us who lived through the era of Lionel Messi and became more attached to football when watching him dazzle on the pitch may not accept comparisons to any other player in the future, just as Maradona fans view it now.

In general, whether Lionel Messi wins the 2026 World Cup or loses, it will not negate the idea that by numbers he is the best in Argentine and world history.

Translated from Al-Bilad

Advertorial

Advertorial

Disclaimer: All published articles represent only the opinion of their authors.