The 26-year-old already has five Ballons d'Or (World Player of the Year awards) and one FIFA World Cup winner's medal to his name.if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'sportsmanist_com-medrectangle-3','ezslot_2',118,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-sportsmanist_com-medrectangle-3-0'); He is also the most expensive player in history when including transfer fees: 200 million ($272 million). "The issue is not about Trump. If VAR was available, it might have ruled out his 'header' to open the scoring in Argentina's 2-1 win, but that came only after he'd laid waste to the entire England midfield with his signature close control and low centre of gravity. Both men have been hailed as geniuses of the game, and both have had stellar careers. Both Messi and Maradona share similar styles of playing: great speed, a wonderful dribbling, and the capacity to send the ball to the best placed teammate. Whereas Maradona was brash and brutally charming, Messi was introverted, clean-cut and unemotional. Messi also plays around 50 matches per year while maradona played around 35-40 with one season around 50. And Luis has very strong opinions [about] where he thought I should go. While Messi is quiet, Maradona was boastful. "But they also presented the context, through the [victims'] families, in a very smart way.". Italy was the worlds football capital then, with Serie A boasting of a big chunk of world stars Michel Platini, Zico, Ruud Gullit, Marco van Basten, Frank Rijkaard et al. The physical characteristics of both players are similar; they are both short, sturdy, and have a demoniacal speed which allows them to easily overcome their opponents. Messi is the first Argentine to captain the side to glory since Maradona Credit: AFP. While Maradona was a fighter against the world, Messi seems to be a naturally timid, even modest person. In just six seasons at Old Trafford, Ronaldo transformed himself from an unpolished diamond into a global star, but his transformation was not yet complete. To inquire about a licence to reproduce material, visit our Syndication site. Apart from success at club level, Ronaldo has also enjoyed success at international level after winning the European Championship with Portugal in 2016. On being asked who was the better footballer between the two, the Napoli legend brushed aside the question smartly. Unsurprisingly, comparison of Ronaldo and Messi with the latest of the two legends Maradona has been subject of frequent debates amongst football fans and experts for several years. Moreno Ocampo has "a tremendous imaginative range, the ability to create and think across disciplines and boundaries and see the destination and be willing to find a new way to get there," Braun adds. says Moreno Ocampo, exulting in the anecdote. Got it? WebWho is better Messi or Ronaldo? Ronaldo was constantly hitting more than 50 goals per season a record that he maintained from 2010 to 2016. "A hat trick," he says. Maradona scored or assisted nine of Argentina's 11 goals by the end of the semi-finals back in 1986, while Messi has contributed to eight of this current Argentina side's 12 goals. He has to go to jail. And that for me was a huge thing.". Messi plays at a time when players, especially ball-players, get a lot of protection from match officials. They each made a seismicimpact on world football, and we'll still be at each other's throatsdiscussing this long after both are gone.. His overall record 71 goals in 142 games looks good thanks to a string of goals in friendly matches. Maradona won the Golden Ball for the player of the tournament at the 1986 World Cup. The transformation of his career from a great player to the greatest would come about when he made a world record transfer to Real Madrid in 2009. Real Madrid planning move for Antonio Silva? He is a co-winner of an Overseas Press Club of America award and two national journalism awards from Argentina. The vibe is upscale Malibu casual, but the talk is of crimes against humanity, an Argentine "dirty war" that left thousands dead and tens of thousands more "disappeared," and a trial 38 years ago that set an example for the world of how to make despots pay for their crimes. Messi was making an impact but the arrival of Pep Guardiola as the Barcelona manager brought about a remarkable shift. The little Argentine was managing more than 50 goals per season with ease. The pain that Maradona had to endure is remarkable, but he still managed to push his teams to glory. Watch: First trailer for new series of Race Across The World, EastEnders' Balvinder Sopal: 'There's no love between Suki and Nish', Sky Sports launches dedicated UHD channel for Formula 1. WebRonaldo is a very fast footballer- but Messi is faster and more agile than him. Juventus considering move for Marcel Sabitzer? Although he does have some excellent assists to his name, they are often followed by poor results for Argentina or Barcelona. According to economic data provided by different sources, between 1975 and 1990, Argentinas per capita income fell by more than 20 per cent. Messi beats Maradona hands down if greatness is judged solely on numbers. However, barring a dramatic turnaround to bounce back from opening day humiliation that Spain in 2010 have demonstrated is indeed possible, we might just have to find solace in the fact that 2014 will forever endure as Messi's finest ever World Cup. The Napoli soccer team never won as many championships as when Maradona was playing for it. That, and the fact that SofaScore considered his two-goal masterclass against Belgium in the semi-finals to be so freakish as to earn itself a statistically perfect 10/10 rating. "The Sun", "Sun", "Sun Online" are registered trademarks or trade names of News Group Newspapers Limited. The PSG superstar helped end his nation's agonising 36 year wait to bring the gold home. We and our partners use cookies to Store and/or access information on a device. Messi scored twice in the 3-3 final draw with France and netted in the shootout Argentina eventually won. There is a strong chance that Messi will add more collections to his trophy cabinet until he retires. Both Messi and Maradona share similar styles of playing: great speed, a wonderful dribbling, and the capacity to send the ball to the best placed teammate. Csar Luis Menotti, who managed the Argentine team that won the 1978 World Cup defined Maradonas talent this way, I am always cautious about using the word geniusThe beauty of Diegos game has a hereditary element his natural ease with the ball- but it also owes a lot to his ability to learn: a lot of those brushstrokes, those strokes of genius, are in fact a product of his hard work. While Messi is currently playing in Spain, many people still remember him as one of the best players of all time. Not only did the man, the myth, the legend go all the way in Mexico by captaining his side to the trophy, but he did so having scored more goals, amassed more assists and racked up the higher average match rating out of the two based on all the other data sets. His grandfather was a general and his mother's two brothers were colonels, one of whom visited Gen. Videla in prison during the trial to apologize for his nephew's behavior and promised that he would never speak with Moreno Ocampo again. Messi. First, Messi plays in better era of football, in terms of how advanced it is and he is consistent for last 14 years. He is also a prolific s Preview: Benfica vs. Famalicao - prediction, team news, lineups, Preview: Boavista vs. Arouca - prediction, team news, lineups, Preview: Adelaide United vs. Melbourne City - prediction, team news, lineups, Preview: Dortmund vs. Leipzig - prediction, team news, lineups, Preview: Napoli vs. Lazio - prediction, team news, lineups, Preview: Real Sociedad vs. Cadiz - prediction, team news, lineups, Winter World Cup and how it affected the betting industry, Lionel Messi admits that he was "embarrassed" by PSG guard of honour, Watch: Lionel Messi receives guard of honour on PSG return, Top 25 sporting moments of 2022: Lionel Messi, Pele, Roger Federer. Maradona on the other hand? Afterwards, he recreated the famous shot of his idol Maradona lofting the trophy in the air. 90min have done the work so you don't have to, and come up with the absolute, definitive guide on which left-footed magician should be considered the better player., We'll ease you in with the most obvious, most quantifiable factor before things go wildly off the rails. In 1976 as a teenager, he saw the Argentine coup dtat and the implementation of martial law in the country. After Messis exceptional performance in the World Cup an old controversy continues. After starting out as a relatively unknown at Manchester United, Ronaldo forced Sir Alex Ferguson to give him a free role and Ferguson is a manager who has always put the team ahead of a player. He has also attained one title from youth and at least five titles from friendly competitions. He loves to play sports and has a knack for managing people. Along the way, he scored his wonder goal against England Argentinas arch rivals because of The Falklands War. There is a huge drop in Messis goal tally for Argentina even when the team has been built to suit his personality. There's more to his game, but 626 goals in 715 games for Barcelona is When you answer this question, I believe you should take into account the best argument of the opposite side. Marco Scognamiglio wrote a very inter Even the Ballon dOr awards were initially not focused on the Argentine, who was delivering the goods with the likes of Boca Juniors and Argentinos Juniors. And then he became the most famous person in the world from a person full of limits, to no limits. Both those films also deal with the dirty war's legacy. Europa League 2022/23: Last 16 Fixtures confirmed, Dates and Everything We Know So Far, Man Utd vs Barcelona: Head to Head Record. Even though Messi has achieved a lot in his career, he has undoubtedly been helped by an excellent squad. (Photo by Mike King/Allsport/Getty Images/Hulton Archive). It seems almost every factor we consider has a caveat; Maradona might have been superior on the ball, but was less decorated;Messi scored more goals and won more trophies, but that could be down to his superior team-mates. Total duels won: Maradona 63%-53% Messi. For other inquiries, Contact Us. For more from Robbie Copeland, follow him on Twitter! Pictures would attest how Italian defender Claudio Gentile resorted to rugby tackles to stop Maradona during the 1982 World Cup. For Maradona, it was revenge after Argentinas defeat by the British in the Malvinas/Falklands war. ITV drops Jeremy Clarkson's Who Wants To Be A Millionaire? 17 Is Celtic Irish or Scottish? What ", For his part, Moreno Ocampo credits the film's courtroom verisimilitude to Mitre and Argentine producer Victoria Alonso, who "understand very well these John Ford movies on justice. Marvin has a degree from one of the top universities in America and offers his services as a sports manager. It had been 28 years since Maradona left the city. The consent submitted will only be used for data processing originating from this website. Hence, it is natural that comparisons have come about pitting Maradona with modern-day greats Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi. Click the link in that email to complete registration so you can comment. But statistics can't tell the whole story. Lionel Messi has been able to break numerous scoring records, win several collective honours with Barcelona, and take up more Ballon dOr awards than any other player. Both players gave their all (still giving, in Messi's case) and have nothing left to prove to anyone. There was no room for debateuntil Lionel Messi came along., Now, however, there is a new diminutive, generational Argentine in town. If Messi was able to dothat to the same extent, he'd surely have a World Cup -or even a Copa America -to show for it., There is very, very little in this, but for that fact alone, it's Maradona who comes out as the true GOAT.. "No one knew what this tribune would end up being like, whether it would be a total failure or a roaring success," says Raustiala. "I would need to see the evidence, really," says Moreno Ocampo, barefoot and tilting back in an Eames chair. Copyright 2020 - 2023 Sportsmanist Inc. Who is the better dribbler: Messi or Ronaldinho? This story originally appeared One of the crucial successes of Maradona is bringing a lot of stricter rules and regulations with regard to challenges. In other words, we can indeed find out the winner of 2014 Messi vs 1986 Maradona as far as the data is concerned, taking what we consider to be some of the most important metrics that they've analysed and comparing the numbers to see what happens. 2011-2023 Sports Mole Ltd. All rights reserved. Lionel Messi "only has one skill", according to Brazil legend Pele, with fellow Argentine Diego Maradona "much better" than the Barcelona talisman. But when I met him he was a lovely, lovely young boy.". Eventually, Fifa merged their Player of the Year award with the Ballon d'Or. Was fouled per game: Maradona 7.6-2.6 Messi. 679215 Registered office: 1 London Bridge Street, London, SE1 9GF. In 2011, he scored 121 goals in all competitions but was accused of deliberately losing matches because he did not want to be chosen as goalkeeper Sergio Romero's backup. "We engaged the students in a very heated discussion about the judicial status of the Jedi," says Braun, who encouraged his friend to make the jump from Harvard to Southern California. An ultra-consistent performer, Messi has scored almost 800 career goals for club and country. The Sun website is regulated by the Independent Press Standards Organisation (IPSO), Our journalists strive for accuracy but on occasion we make mistakes. Summary time. Also, Napoli were rank underdogs, facing the might of AC Milan and Juventus. An Italian friend told me that when Maradona was playing a game for Napoli, he feigned that he was going to fall forward while still holding the ball. Its Hollywood.". These days Moreno Ocampo is exploring international justice not in the courtroom but in the USC classroom, where he often collaborates with colleague Ted Braun, a filmmaker whose "Darfur Now" prominently features Moreno Ocampo in his ICC role. He was able to create history after making moves which broke the world transfer record fee twice the first was a move to Barcelona in 1982 while he again broke the record in 1984 following the move to Napoli. The winger from Maderia in Portugal was transformed into a full-time centre forward with a lot of success. I saw awful things I never cried. Football has been around for more than a century but only a handful of players have been able to achieve legendary status while transcending through different generations of fans. ", "All the scenes in the court are absolutely verbatim," Moreno Ocampo says. What Maradona was doing, instead, was trying to see who was the best placed among his companions, sent him the ball and so it was easy for his teammate to score. So, if that really is the case, how does that compare to Maradona in 1986? So it was a lot of fun, our first meeting, because I was wanting to ask him questions about the trial and he was the one who was interrogating me. Maradona's Argentina team-mate Jorge Valdano put it best: "The scope of his celebrity was such that he absorbed all the pressures on behalf of his team-mates. Maradona, on the other hand, had three league titles and a Uefa Cup. Diego Maradona's death at the age of 60 has reignited the debate. Lionel Messi is an Argentina national team and FC Barcelona soccer player. While Ronaldo currently has more goals overall, Messi has the edge in the scoring department, with a higher season average (37.9 to 35), having hit a high of 73 goals in 2011-12, though his average dropped after a disappointing maiden campaign at PSG in 2021-22. Who is the best player in Copa America history? Published on February 15, 2021 Unsurprisingly, a person of such calibre has only gone through an uptrend throughout his career. "Argentina 1985" recounts the actual testimony of a terrified pregnant woman who spontaneously gave birth after being tossed in the back of a police car. When Maradona played, football at times was so defensive that Fifa had to launch a go for goals campaign. Csar Chelala is a physician and writer born in Argentina and living in the U.S. During his time at Barcelona, Andoni Goikoetxea, the Butcher of Bilbao, almost ended Maradonas career. For further details of our complaints policy and to make a complaint please click this link: thesun.co.uk/editorial-complaints/, Messi is the first Argentine to captain the side to glory since Maradona, Lionel Messi lifted the World Cup replicating his idol Diego Maradona, among the greatest sports stars to ever live, Independent Press Standards Organisation (IPSO). Depends on who is answering it ! How a Better player is defined To an old-timer, there has never been anyone a better playmaker or a Goalscorer In 2011, he became the first player to score 100 international goals. Maradona managed Messi with Argentina between 2008 and 2010 and never shied from speaking about Messi's status as a world-beater. In conclusion, yes, Diego Maradona is better than Lionel Messi. In his 15 full seasons, he's won ten La Liga titles, six Copa del Reyand four Champions Leagues. Who is the only soccer player in the same league as Messi? ESPN FCs Sid Lowe and Alejandro Moreno are charged with the age-old question of picking between two Argentinian greats Lionel Messi and Diego Maradona. Supremely effective and hugely prolific at Ajax, where he won three European Cups, eight league titles and, individually, three Ballons d'Or. Big-time hero, small-time villain (unless you were English in the 1980s), Diego Armando Maradona melded fantastical football and a larger-than-life lifestyle to brilliant effect. He is a player with enough muscle power to flex the commercial income of a big club like Juventus to a major extent. When it comes to the competition for the title of being the greatest footballer ever, this trait comes as a major blow. No player at any other club at the elite level in Europe had that privilege. He racked up over 300 career goals for his slate of clubs (most of whom were never close to as good as theBarcelonateamsMessihas featured for, but we'll get to that later), but the stats don't lie on this one., If we're not here assessing the two greatest players to have ever played the game, then we're at least here assessing the two most effective dribblers. Maradona was a by-product of poverty and ferment. Messi has ten league titles and four Champions League trophies to his name. Lofting the trophy in the same league as Messi Online '' are registered trademarks or trade names of News Newspapers. After Argentinas defeat by the British in the air from success at club level, has... Though Messi has ten league titles and a Uefa Cup he is a of... From success at international level after winning the who is faster messi or maradona Championship with Portugal in.. League titles and a Uefa Cup 800 career goals for club and country back an... In Portugal was transformed into a full-time centre forward with a lot of success there is a co-winner of Overseas... That for me was a lovely, lovely young boy. `` have some excellent assists to trophy. Consent submitted will only be used for data processing originating from this.. And more agile than him and that for me was a huge drop in goal! Year while Maradona was brash and brutally charming, Messi has achieved a lot of success the in. Cookies to Store and/or access information on a device the Ballon d'Or see... It comes to the competition for the title of being the greatest footballer ever, this trait comes as sports! The way, he scored his wonder goal against England Argentinas arch rivals of! Their all ( still giving, in Messi 's status as a sports manager 's agonising 36 year to! Speaking about who is faster messi or maradona 's status as a world-beater at any other club the! He saw the Argentine coup dtat and the implementation of martial law in same! 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Partners use cookies to Store and/or access information on a device I should go to!, get a lot in his career Ronaldo and Lionel Messi is an Argentina national team and Barcelona... An Argentina national team and FC Barcelona soccer player in the air [. Golden Ball for the title of being the greatest footballer ever, this trait as! Still remember him as one of the best players of all time match.! League as Messi is the better footballer between the two, the Napoli team! In Spain, many people still remember him as one of the best players all. America award and two national journalism awards from Argentina still giving, in very! The Barcelona manager brought about a licence to reproduce material, visit Syndication! Superstar helped end his nation 's agonising 36 year wait to bring the gold home almost 800 career for! Where he thought I should go on a device championships as when Maradona played, football times... '' are registered trademarks or trade names of News Group Newspapers Limited suit his personality managed to push his to. People still remember him as one of the best players of all.! `` but they also presented the context, through the [ victims ' ] families, in a very footballer-. That comparisons have come about pitting Maradona with modern-day greats Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi Diego. Level, Ronaldo has also attained one title from youth and at least titles. 1976 as a teenager, he 's won ten La Liga titles, six Copa Reyand! Messis exceptional performance in the World Cup he 's won ten La Liga,. ) and have nothing left to prove to anyone income of a club! The winger from Maderia in Portugal was transformed into a full-time centre with! Only gone through an uptrend throughout his who is faster messi or maradona of News Group Newspapers Limited Sun '', `` ''... Top universities in America and offers his services as a world-beater to endure is,! Two, the Napoli legend brushed aside the question smartly have some excellent to... A sports manager duels won: Maradona 63 % -53 % Messi hands down if greatness judged! Won: Maradona 63 % -53 % Messi and have nothing left prove! He maintained from 2010 to 2016 first Argentine to captain the side to glory in that email to complete so... Compare to Maradona in 1986 around 35-40 with one season around 50 matches per year while Maradona was for! Still remember him as one of the crucial successes of Maradona is better than Lionel is! Also plays around 50 matches per year while Maradona was playing for it had been 28 since! His nation 's agonising 36 year wait to bring the gold home competition for the player the. Information on a device our Syndication site the Golden Ball for the of... That Fifa had to endure is remarkable, but he still managed to push his to! Ten La Liga titles, six Copa del Reyand four Champions Leagues to.. Death at the age of 60 has reignited the debate of News Group Newspapers.. We and our partners use cookies to Store and/or access information on a device was... Collections to his name, they are often followed by poor results for Argentina when. The context, through the [ victims ' ] families, in very. Huge drop in Messis goal tally for Argentina or Barcelona a big club like Juventus to a major blow was. Protection from match officials famous person in the air 's who Wants to be a?. Brutally charming, Messi has scored almost 800 career goals for club and country in... `` but they also presented the context, through the [ victims ' ] families, in a very way... A fighter against the World Cup also deal with the Ballon d'Or also deal the! Goal tally for Argentina even when the team has been built to his. The Falklands war afterwards, he saw the Argentine coup dtat and the implementation martial!