Diego Maradona

G

Gnidrologist

Senior Member
Not interested into "whose better" debate, but think of two things, where Mara seemed to have clear advantage to Messi regarding his time. Ball was heavier and easier to control at least so it seems in old videos. I've actually played with some heavy non-modern footballs and could manipulate it much better than modern bouncy-floaty ones. They also decelerate rapidly, which makes push-and-run more comfortable and passing easier to judge, first touch more soothing, able to stop the ball dead in an instant with heavier touches. Pitches were awful though.

Other thing is almost no collective pressing. In most videos he deals with players one at the time like fighters in old kung-fu movies, not having to go against tactically astute groups that close down passing and moving lanes like swarm of wasps. Think individually defenders seemed also much more passive and bad at positioning. They were reckless, yes, but that doesn't mean skill.

Not taking away anything from Diegos genius, just couple of observations that haven't seen mentioned, when these era comparisons come up.
 
TemporaryFan

TemporaryFan

Well-known member
Especially that if you look at the physique of the footballers back then, they looked more like endurance athletes, slim and skinny. Today they're more like MMA fighters, beefier and stronger.
Diego, though, was short and had strong legs, resembled a weight lifter 🏋️‍♀️. Getting him off balance at the time was next to impossible.
 
MagIX

MagIX

Senior Member
Horatio said:
kingleo also mentioned how maradona had long strides and with messi ball is glued to feet.

I think if you dribbled like maradona did in nowadays football, defenders would dispossess you in a heartbeat.
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Different eras, nonsensical comparisons. The football fields of those times are absolutely incomparable to today's nearly perfectly manicured pitches. Running with the ball glued to your feet like Messi would have been impossible.
It almost seems like today, Maradona would be considered a flop:facepalm:
 
Horatio

Horatio

You're welcome
MagIX said:
Different eras, nonsensical comparisons. The football fields of those times are absolutely incomparable to today's nearly perfectly manicured pitches. Running with the ball glued to your feet like Messi would have been impossible.
It almost seems like today, Maradona would be considered a flop:facepalm:
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no, your words.

Also Argentinian pride blinding you. You have 2 of 3 all time bests already. Be content.

my only argument is that imo peak Messi vs peak maradona should not be a debate. Messi is clearly ahead of him as crazy good maradona was.
 
TemporaryFan

TemporaryFan

Well-known member
Funny thread, but interesting...I remember when Maradona was at his peak, there was a similar debate whether Pele was better than him.
He, Diego, himself said, Pele was Pele, and I am Maradona.
 
MagIX

MagIX

Senior Member
Horatio said:
no, your words.

Also Argentinian pride blinding you. You have 2 of 3 all time bests already. Be content.

my only argument is that imo peak Messi vs peak maradona should not be a debate. Messi is clearly ahead of him as crazy good maradona was.
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?
 
Maradona37

Maradona37

Well-known member
No need to put Maradona down as a player to elevate Messi. They're the two best, most talented players ever most likely. They both have their pros and cons. Sure most prefer Messi these days but I don't think it is that clear cut.
 
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