Lionel Messi - v7

[Mitchell1978]

I think the only thing Maradona had on Messi was slightly better ballcontrol, touch.
Vision was about the same (both goat level).
But Messi is/was more explosive, a better dribbler. Much fitter and less or no off courts issues.

Most of all what Messi had on Maradona is that he's a much better goalscorer and finisher. For all his talent Maradona is not a goat level goalscorer, Messi, Pele are for example. Even when taking era in to account, Diego's numbers aren't anything amazing.
And even more important Messi's prime is much much longer, 12 years and going strong, Maradona's prime is maybe 6-7 years if you are generous.

Honestly Messi has surpassed Maradona already years ago and i consider Pele closer to him.

 

[Mitchell1978]

That napoli team was a good side after they bought the players Maradona wanted and he was the star man that made turned them into champions. Kinda like this barca team and Messi. I dont really buy the whole defenders were better thing. Back then defenders played when not fully fit and if you were you probably had a field day against them. Nowadays all defenders are fully fit and very athletic so you rarely get them on a bad day. We will never know how Maradona would fare against today's defenders but I'm fairly sure messi would've had a field day against those slower and regularly unfit defenders

And defences are much more structured nowadays and there's a lot less space.

 

[Havesaks]

I think the only thing Maradona had on Messi was slightly better ballcontrol, touch.
Vision was about the same (both goat level).
But Messi is/was more explosive, a better dribbler. Much fitter and less or no off courts issues.

Most of all what Messi had on Maradona is that he's a much better goalscorer and finisher. For all his talent Maradona is not a goat level goalscorer, Messi, Pele are for example. Even when taking era in to account, Diego's numbers aren't anything amazing.
And even more important Messi's prime is much much longer, 12 years and going strong, Maradona's prime is maybe 6-7 years if you are generous.

Honestly Messi has surpassed Maradona already years ago and i consider Pele closer to him.

Wasn't Maradona physically stronger than Messi?

Anyway, can't stop thinking that this guys greatness was highly influenced by drugs.

 

[KingLeo10]

Wasn't Maradona physically stronger than Messi?

Anyway, can't stop thinking that this guys greatness was highly influenced by drugs.

He wasn't. Maradona is nowhere near Messi's level of conditioning.

Messi's been a dominant force in world football for 15 years. Maradona had 5 great seasons, maybe 7 if you really want to push it.

The only things Maradona has over Messi are leadership and creativity. Messi kills him in finishing (like magnitudes better), acceleration, agility, even dribbling (prime v prime).

 

[eaman]

I think the only thing Maradona had on Messi was slightly better ballcontrol, touch.
Vision was about the same (both goat level).
But Messi is/was more explosive, a better dribbler. Much fitter and less or no off courts issues.

Most of all what Messi had on Maradona is that he's a much better goalscorer and finisher. For all his talent Maradona is not a goat level goalscorer, Messi, Pele are for example. Even when taking era in to account, Diego's numbers aren't anything amazing.
And even more important Messi's prime is much much longer, 12 years and going strong, Maradona's prime is maybe 6-7 years if you are generous.

Honestly Messi has surpassed Maradona already years ago and i consider Pele closer to him.

Are you sure about the better ball control,touch? Messi has unbelievable ball control and touch with lighter balls that are harder to control than the heavier balls in the past.

 

[Sorin]

Defenders were better but these days the defences are better organized, the use of zone defences is way more prevalent instead of going 1 on 1 like in those days. The argument about stronger defences in those times doesn't stand IMHO.

 

[Alik]

snip

He is referring to your "top 6" comment.

Who are the other 4 players who are better than Messi and Maradona in your list?

 

[RevoTeller]

He is referring to your "top 6" comment.

Who are the other 4 players who are better than Messi and Maradona in your list?

I didn't say that there are 4 players better than Messi or Maradona.
At this level, I don't think that it is even possible to objectively say who is the best ever. Too many variables playing the game, it comes down to personal preference.

Anyway, in temporal order, for me:

Di Stefano
Pelé
Cruijff
Maradona
(The true) Ronaldo de Lima
Messi

Then, very close to them I have a crop of all time greats such as R.Baggio, Zico, Platini, Romario, Garrincha, Puskas, etc.

 

[Havesaks]

I obviously haven't watched Maradona play, but when I see stuff like this
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=Cdf6D19Etmc
Maradona gives me those Ronaldinho vibes. An absolute football magacian which every fan of football loves. Messi doesn't have that to him. Not saying Maradona was better, don't know but comparing stats it doesn't seem like that.

 

[RevoTeller]

Wasn't Maradona physically stronger than Messi?

Anyway, can't stop thinking that this guys greatness was highly influenced by drugs.

Yes, Maradona was physically stronger than Messi.

About the drug: it was not performance enhancing at all. On the contrary, it hindered his physical abilities.

 

[Havesaks]

Wasn't it coke? I haven't been sniffing that shit, but in university and clubs you see loads off people on it, and it does look confidence boosting - that's also what people in general say about it. If one were to sniff it before a match, wouldn't that mean they could perform "freely" and create genius moments?

 

[Mitchell1978]

Yes, Maradona was physically stronger than Messi.

How exactly?
Messi is ridiculously strong for his size, rarely ever bullied off the ball, he is also 4/5 cm taller and has been much fitter throughout his career then Maradona.

 

[mc_lovin]

I dont think stronger is the right word. Maradona just moved more like a midfielder, which looks more intense and dominant than Messis game. Would take Messi over him any day of the week though.

 

[Horatio]

How exactly?
Messi is ridiculously strong for his size, rarely ever bullied off the ball, he is also 4/5 cm taller and has been much fitter throughout his career then Maradona.

People just going by Maradonna’s calves in the Life is Life video.

Messi is very strong on his feet.

 

[RevoTeller]

Wasn't it coke? I haven't been sniffing that shit, but in university and clubs you see loads off people on it, and it does look confidence boosting - that's also what people in general say about it. If one were to sniff it before a match, wouldn't that mean they could perform "freely" and create genius moments?

It was cocaine.
It may boost your confidence, but what Maradona produced on the field was due to his talent, and nothing else. You don't become Maradona by sniffing and then going out playing football.
Besides, the true fact is that it completely destroys your physical ability and health, as every drug does.

Cocaine was not an ally of Maradona, on the contrary it has always been his greatest enemy and problem.

How exactly?
Messi is ridiculously strong for his size, rarely ever bullied off the ball, he is also 4/5 cm taller and has been much fitter throughout his career then Maradona.

Didn't say Messi is not strong.
Messi IS strong, very low center of gravity coupled with immense skills and ball control.

But Maradona was like a rubber ball: great physical strength, balance and tenacity allowed him to survive contrasts and brutal tackles with unseen ease.