Messi or Maradona?

So hard to compare players from different eras. Messi wouldn't last 90 minutes of what Maradona had to endure throughout his career, but on the other hand I don't think that Maradona would keep up with Messi in today's game.

 

Glavin.

 

Messi, Cruyff or Pele for longevity. Maradona, Ronaldinho or Best for impact.

 

I don’t really have an opinion on who’s the best as I wasn’t born when Maradona was at his peak & I can’t really judge based off a few clips & watching the film about him although some of the scenes in Naples were incredible.

The only argument to the been kicked more is how much harder it is nowadays to find space & get time on the ball. Players are literally covering twice the distance per match as they did in the 80’s. Even up to the mid-90’s players were unprofessional. I’ve heard that many stories of players growing up & they spent half the time pissed & these were players coming through at Man Utd & Arsenal. And it was a lot worse in the 80’s. If you looked after yourself back then it was far easier to be a top performer than it is nowadays in my opinion.

 

There's only one Goat. Accept no substitutes.

 

Ronaldinho hands down.

Maradonna was a crack head.

 

If you ask Brazilians, they wouldn't say Pele.

 

Ronaldo has been one hell of a player with amazing stats, where was the Messi love in when the Saudi's beat em. Maradona would probably be my favourite but all three deserve massive respect over their career's.

 

You're probably right but it's a bit **** when a totally amazing 20 year career is judged on your final few games. For me personally the Messi love in has spoilt Argentina's world cup win a little.

 

Ronaldo as had much the better club success. He has done wherever he as played. Messi was at barca and now at money bags PSG but admittedly won everything. However, i think Maradona was streets ahead

 

They're all sensational. Probably go Maradona personally. Transcended the game. Pele came from an era I can't really vouch for. Bit like the 1966 England win. It's admittedly great, but seems fictional because it's so old, if you know what I mean?

But none of those three are my favourites.

Gazza is still my man. Don't care. I fell in love with football because of him (and Brendan O'Connell). Bit like Diego I suppose, in many regards, only without the trophies. That's why I give Maradona the nod in this debate. He left Barca for Naples. Mental. And then led them to unprecedented success. It'd be like Messi a few years back going to Aston Villa or summat and them winning the league and what not.

Then there's Lothar Matthäus. Won the World Cup, and everything else. Criminally overlooked in such conversations. Genuinely. Read about him if you didn't have the pleasure like I did. Unreal footballer.

THE Ronaldo was summat else. Zidane? Iniesta for Spain?

But yeah. Messi is out of this world and I was so happy for him.

 

Maradona, by a way.

 

Not really sure how you can exclude Messi from impact considering his numbers bud?

 

The point about the daftness of comparing players over different eras is a very fair one, and that obviously applies to the Maradona v Messi question. Having said that...... Messi is an absolute joy to watch but Maradona was something else. Particularly as he played at a time when Defenders were allowed to commit GBH against strikers. One man can't win a world cup but Maradona has been the nearest to achieving that feat.

 

Messi has been fabulous these last couple of games. Outstanding. But has to be Maradona.