Xavi: Messi IS better then Maradona

Barcelona Playmaker Xavi: Lionel Messi Is Better Than Diego Maradona
Barcelona midfielder Xavi believes that club colleague Lionel Messi is already a better player than Argentine Diego Maradona

Barcelona midfielder Xavi believes that team-mate Lionel Messi is already superior to legendary Argentine Diego Maradona, and that players of his ability only emerge every 50 years.

Speaking in an interview with FIFA.com, the Spanish World Cup winner lavished praise on his club colleague, remarking: "A player like him only comes around once every 50 years. The only reason the rest of us have any chance of winning this year is because the World Cup didn’t turn out too well for Argentina, because if it had, then it [the FIFA Ballon d’Or] would be no contest.

"In my view, Leo is now even better than [Diego] Maradona was. He’s going to be at the very top for many years to come, there’s nobody like him."

HYPE

Laudrup

Just get over it, Super...

when he is dinho level call me

I voted 'Yes'

Or he will be anyway. Maradona was/is a drug-addicted fat sell out. Messi will never let that happen to him. He is the epitome of class says I.

Hem fet un.. wrote:Just get over it, Super...

Are you kidding me? This stuff makes my day. Well this and Laudrup

Laudrup

Luis wrote:I voted 'Yes'

Or he will be anyway. Maradona was/is a drug-addicted fat sell out. Messi will never let that happen to him. He is the epitome of class says I.

Well, Messi did get all those "supervitamins" to get him past the smurf height and knowing Guardiola's dodgy past with illegal substances we shouldn't be surprised if Messi got a taste. Let's not forget that Messi used to get injured all the time, then Guardiola becomes Barcelona coach and magically Messi doesn't get injured again even once

He's close to it, and still has years to grow and develop into a player better than he is now.

Just don't do drugs, and don't join United

Depends if Messi can single handily lead Argentina to a World Cup triumph. Besides Maradona didn't have the luxury of playing in a team with Xavi or Iniesta.

Kroos wrote:when he is dinho level call me

He's well on his way to surpass Ronaldinho.

Another season of him kicking ass at Barca already on the cards.

The only thing missing is a truly memorable World Cup. Plenty of time to have one.

Interestingly, don't think Dinho ever had an outstanding WC.

You think Dinho was better than Fat Ronaldo?

Noah and the Bale wrote:

Kroos wrote:when he is dinho level call me

He's well on his way to surpass Ronaldinho.

Another season of him kicking ass at Barca already on the cards.

The only thing missing is a truly memorable World Cup. Plenty of time to have one.

Interestingly, don't think Dinho ever had an outstanding WC.

You think Dinho was better than Fat Ronaldo?

2002 was Dinho's coming out party, let's be fair here.

Yeah I agree, what really made Maradona a trully a special is the World Cup. Messi hasn't done much there but still has many years ahead of him. Messi is a fantastic player, he scores some beauties week after week. Maybe he's not 22 and he's got a fake passport... just because of his height. Lol

Maradona had perfect technique he could score from any angle anywhere and his vision was outstanding, Messi is also a very good player but the many of his goals are similar and taken from the same area (around the 18 yard box or inside), Maradona scored a crazy sliced lob from the half way line against Verona, I dont think Messi even thinks of doing these things you really need to be an asshole to come up with this stuff (i.e. Maradona, Totti, Zidane type of asshole)

Cheb Hamouda wrote:Maradona had perfect technique he could score from any angle anywhere and his vision was outstanding, Messi is also a very good player but the many of his goals are similar and taken from the same area (around the 18 yard box or inside), Maradona scored a crazy sliced lob from the half way line against Verona, I dont think Messi even thinks of doing these things you really need to be an asshole to come up with this stuff (i.e. Maradona, Totti, Zidane type of asshole)

That's more to do with their respective roles in the team...Maradona had a free role and was the creator in midfield. Messi is more of a forward and remains in the final third of the pitch, rarely dropping back.

Noah and the Bale wrote:

Kroos wrote:when he is dinho level call me

He's well on his way to surpass Ronaldinho.

Another season of him kicking ass at Barca already on the cards.

The only thing missing is a truly memorable World Cup. Plenty of time to have one.

Interestingly, don't think Dinho ever had an outstanding WC.

You think Dinho was better than Fat Ronaldo?

for me he will never reach dinhos level (for me dinho on his peak was the best player ever), messi really has not the overall game

messi is a stupid winger in my eyes, his game is very limited, always doing the same stuff

he never scored against a decent side in the cl, always rapes the shit out of smaller teams and teams like arsenal, they getting raped because they suit perfect the style of barca

and his stats in la liga where the other teams in the league hopeless overcharged when they play barca

dinho raped milan, chelsea on his own and he won the cl on his own, while messi is useless without support, dinho was his own support

ok he is still 23, but he wont improve much on his game, he will always do the same stuff again and again and again, drive into the box with small ball control, this guy bores the shit out of me

Kroos wrote:

Noah and the Bale wrote:

Kroos wrote:when he is dinho level call me

He's well on his way to surpass Ronaldinho.

Another season of him kicking ass at Barca already on the cards.

The only thing missing is a truly memorable World Cup. Plenty of time to have one.

Interestingly, don't think Dinho ever had an outstanding WC.

You think Dinho was better than Fat Ronaldo?

for me he will never reach dinhos level (for me dinho on his peak was the best player ever), messi really has not the overall game

messi is a stupid winger in my eyes, his game is very limited, always doing the same stuff

he never scored against a decent side in the cl, always rapes the shit out of smaller teams and teams like arsenal, they getting raped because they suit perfect the style of barca

and his stats in la liga where the other teams in the league hopeless overcharged when they play barca

dinho raped milan, chelsea on his own and he won the cl on his own, while messi is useless without support, dinho was his own support

ok he is still 23, but he wont improve much on his game, he will always do the same stuff again and again and again, drive into the box with small ball control, this guy bores the shit out of me

you mean like Bayern or ManU?

lol bayern were shitty under klinsmann

he scored a goal, we all know xavi and iniesta ran the show

Hem fet un.. wrote:

Kroos wrote:

Noah and the Bale wrote:

Kroos wrote:when he is dinho level call me

He's well on his way to surpass Ronaldinho.

Another season of him kicking ass at Barca already on the cards.

The only thing missing is a truly memorable World Cup. Plenty of time to have one.

Interestingly, don't think Dinho ever had an outstanding WC.

You think Dinho was better than Fat Ronaldo?

for me he will never reach dinhos level (for me dinho on his peak was the best player ever), messi really has not the overall game

messi is a stupid winger in my eyes, his game is very limited, always doing the same stuff

he never scored against a decent side in the cl, always rapes the shit out of smaller teams and teams like arsenal, they getting raped because they suit perfect the style of barca

and his stats in la liga where the other teams in the league hopeless overcharged when they play barca

dinho raped milan, chelsea on his own and he won the cl on his own, while messi is useless without support, dinho was his own support

ok he is still 23, but he wont improve much on his game, he will always do the same stuff again and again and again, drive into the box with small ball control, this guy bores the shit out of me

you mean like Bayern or ManU?

Don't waste your time trying to fight anti-Messi agendas. Even if you put forward a convincing argument, the goalposts are moved in order to keep criticising him.

And of course this is ignoring the fact that the likes of Kroos and Super don't even have a clue on what Maradona was really like as a player, or what club football was like at those times. People always look greater than they are in hindsight, when you only remember the highlights of their career and aren't evaluating them on a week by week basis.

I know... but it still annoys these hugely biased agendas.. I have never said that Messi is better than Maradona.. he could become better, who knows, but he is still only 23 and has achieved more at that age than any current Real or Bayern player has.. And dont get me started on Laudrup.. great player (but not at the level of the Messis, Dinhos, Maradonas etc) but the verdict is still very much out on him as a coach.. One good year at getafe, doesnt make him a legend. He even admitted that Mallorca was very lucky against us, and lets face it, he hasnt been anywhere the level that Manzano had Mallorca performing at. So far, some good games, some bad games, overall a quite inconsistent performance (just like at his previous clubs)

The Laudrup thing is just a bit of a joke from Super I think. Fellow countryman and all that.

I guess there are few people here my age who were football fans during Maradona's prime... it does make a difference, you know... for example when I talk about Garrincha, Pele or Cryuff, I am basically talking from the old clips that I saw... even some old games that I saw... but I never saw them play "current" games, and that makes a hell of a difference. Coz football changes. The only way to compare players of two different era's is to see how good were they in their era... ie what people thought of them during their prime. So IMO fans who watched football during the 80s can perhaps hazard a more objective comparison of Maradona & Messi... for at least they will have some context.

Anyways, my two pence worth... for a couple of years, Maradona was untouchable. At his peak, which for me was between 1984-90 (more specifically 1986-88, his best seasons), he was better than what Messi is now. Even in those 4 years, Maradona had peaks and moments of less form. But when playing at his best, like in the 1986 world cup, he was untouchable, unstoppable. A freak of nature. I have never seen a player THAT good. Ronaldo in 1997-98 probably came the closest, but still not THAT good.

But one thing people forget about Maradona is that inspite of his obvious talent, his career wasn't a bed of roses. He was temperamental, many games he contriibuted next to nothing, and the entire strategy of his team had to centre around him - which was a weakness as much as it was a strength. Also, something we all know, he was on the top of the world for just about 5-6 years. Before and after, he was a great talent who under performed (mostly due to arrogance & a complete lack of discipline).

Messi couldn't have been more different. While he may not have experienced peaks as high (and lets face it, may never experience that), he has already (at the age of 23!!) achieved more at club level. And he will definately go on to achieve much more, even if he just keep playing at this level and never achieves the "peak of Maradona".

So it really depends how you judge who is teh better player? Are you comparing the best performances of their career? Or are you comparing their average performances of their career?

For most people, the greatest player in history of football has been Pele. Yet many people from Pele's time argue that even at his peak, Garrincha was the better player of the two. But Garrincha's peak, like Maradona's, did not last that long.... while Pele continued to perform well for best part of a decade and half! He was an amazing talent, a complete professional, and for a long time. Thats what makes Pele such a legend.

Maybe in 10 years, we will be comparing Messi with Pele... perhaps thats more apt. Messi may yet become the greatest player in history, even if he never becomes as good as Maradona or Garrincha were at their peak.

Watched a bit of Maradone when I was young as well and he was great. It's a bit normal pple compare Messi to him because Messi keeps doing great things all the time, and both are Argentinian, left footed, score some cracking goals, are elves size and play(ed) for Bracelona.
But it's at the end of Messi's career that we will be able to compare (eventhough comparing doesn't mean much).

bluenine wrote:I guess there are few people here my age who were football fans during Maradona's prime... it does make a difference, you know... for example when I talk about Garrincha, Pele or Cryuff, I am basically talking from the old clips that I saw... even some old games that I saw... but I never saw them play "current" games, and that makes a hell of a difference. Coz football changes. The only way to compare players of two different era's is to see how good were they in their era... ie what people thought of them during their prime. So IMO fans who watched football during the 80s can perhaps hazard a more objective comparison of Maradona & Messi... for at least they will have some context.

Anyways, my two pence worth... for a couple of years, Maradona was untouchable. At his peak, which for me was between 1984-90 (more specifically 1986-88, his best seasons), he was better than what Messi is now. Even in those 4 years, Maradona had peaks and moments of less form. But when playing at his best, like in the 1986 world cup, he was untouchable, unstoppable. A freak of nature. I have never seen a player THAT good. Ronaldo in 1997-98 probably came the closest, but still not THAT good.

But one thing people forget about Maradona is that inspite of his obvious talent, his career wasn't a bed of roses. He was temperamental, many games he contriibuted next to nothing, and the entire strategy of his team had to centre around him - which was a weakness as much as it was a strength. Also, something we all know, he was on the top of the world for just about 5-6 years. Before and after, he was a great talent who under performed (mostly due to arrogance & a complete lack of discipline).

Messi couldn't have been more different. While he may not have experienced peaks as high (and lets face it, may never experience that), he has already (at the age of 23!!) achieved more at club level. And he will definately go on to achieve much more, even if he just keep playing at this level and never achieves the "peak of Maradona".

So it really depends how you judge who is teh better player? Are you comparing the best performances of their career? Or are you comparing their average performances of their career?

For most people, the greatest player in history of football has been Pele. Yet many people from Pele's time argue that even at his peak, Garrincha was the better player of the two. But Garrincha's peak, like Maradona's, did not last that long.... while Pele continued to perform well for best part of a decade and half! He was an amazing talent, a complete professional, and for a long time. Thats what makes Pele such a legend.

Maybe in 10 years, we will be comparing Messi with Pele... perhaps thats more apt. Messi may yet become the greatest player in history, even if he never becomes as good as Maradona or Garrincha were at their peak.

Top post

Some good interesting posts in this thread

To me, to put it simply:
Messi is one in a generation, Maradona is one in a lifetime kind of player.

To elaborate on that:
When I watch Messi, I get the feeling he's going to do things the other players on the pitch couldn't even dare trying.
When I watched Maradona, I got the feeling he was going to do things the other players on the pitch couldn't even dare thinking.

Besides that, which you could attribute to nostalgia or being a kid at Diego's time, there's another fact: Maradona had frikin huge balls.

People often gloss on this, because Diego is also a druggie, a cheato and a lardy lunatic, and we tend to associate that with a frail and coward personality, but the truth is that Diego as a player has always been a fearless leader.

For how dark may some corner of his soul be, he feared no one around him, and it showed on the pitch.
When people point out the difference in role and position with Messi, that's not only about tacticts, it's a charisma thing. Talent and balls.

Arrigo Sacchi was recalling its time at Milan once, talking about Maradona and Van Basten.
He said - Van Basten was shy, I was always pushing him to try harder, new things, different moves, and he was great but he always had fear of failing, not being able to pull it off. Diego was different, he never had any fears, a rifle at gunpoint wouldn't have scared him.

Maradona had around him guys like Van Basten, Gullit, Mattheus, Platini, Rumenigge, Voeller, Falcao, Zico, Baggio, Mancini, Maldini... and he managed to outshine them all.

At Napoli he was with Careca, Alemao, Bagni, Crippa, Ferrara... it was not that the team was built around him because the others were talentless pussies.

Maradona fucked up so many things in his life and career, and Leo is just 23, but the fact is that he couldn't touch the level Diego could reach even if he plays and trains hard till 40.

Hem fet un.. wrote:I know... but it still annoys these hugely biased agendas.. I have never said that Messi is better than Maradona.. he could become better, who knows, but he is still only 23 and has achieved more at that age than any current Real or Bayern player has.. And dont get me started on Laudrup.. great player (but not at the level of the Messis, Dinhos, Maradonas etc) but the verdict is still very much out on him as a coach.. One good year at getafe, doesnt make him a legend. He even admitted that Mallorca was very lucky against us, and lets face it, he hasnt been anywhere the level that Manzano had Mallorca performing at. So far, some good games, some bad games, overall a quite inconsistent performance (just like at his previous clubs)

What does Madrid have to do with anything? You lot are so paranoid.

Personally, I've no issue with lambasting any player V player comparisons which both straddle different eras and also incorporate an iconic (and cheating fat piece of shit) player like Maradonna.

What I'm more curious about is what planet our man Sebastian Mesut Toni Kroos is inhabiting.

Apparently, Messi is a predictablly boring flat track bully,

yet he likes to swing his frankfurter in the wind over any half decent player with an umlaut in their name and a penchance for wearing white socks and sandals on holiday.

Such a flat track bully is he, that Messi has only gone and scored in a CL final, and infact played an integral part in winning the thing not once, but twice, before the age of 23. And did he not orchestrate a 6-2 hammering of Real Madrid on their own turf, scoring a couple of times in the process?

And of course, take away the millions of goals he's scored, I can see why one would find his dribbling ability - which is almost unrivalled currently, passing ability, and allround general brilliance so immensely predictable and boring.

I'm not suggesting that Messi is the best player ever. No siree.

But frankly - can I speak frankly? - hearing Toni Kroos dismiss Messi (how many goals has he scored already this season?) with a casual wave whilst, at the same time, frothing at the mouth whilst creating endless threads about the immense ability of the likes of Klose, Gomez, Khedira, Holtby, Gotze et al, well frankly, it makes me want to hunt him down in his little bunker somewhere east of baden baden and remove his fingertips with a scalpel so that he can never spread his irreverent schwein scheizer over these here boards again

Noah and the Bale wrote:Such a flat track bully is he, that Messi has only gone and scored in a CL final, and infact played an integral part in winning the thing not once, but twice, before the age of 23. And did he not orchestrate a 6-2 hammering of Real Madrid on their own turf, scoring a couple of times in the process?

Ok, now I have to stop you here. What was his integral part in winning the CL the first time around? He wasn't even on the bench for the final ffs. Oh right he did score the third goal in a 5-0 home win against Panathinaikos. INTEGRAL!

Well according to the stats Messi is already better then Maradonna, at least at clubfootball. Maradonna wasnt succesful at Barca, Messi is! Infact when it comes to clubprices, Maradonna won fuck all. Look what Messi already won. Sure he won the Uefa cup for Napoli on his own, but so did van Hooijdonck.

So Messi>>>Maradonna

when it comes int. football Maradonna was better, but Messi still has a lot of time...not that I think Argentina will win anything soon though.

Kroos wrote:

Noah and the Bale wrote:

Kroos wrote:when he is dinho level call me

He's well on his way to surpass Ronaldinho.

Another season of him kicking ass at Barca already on the cards.

The only thing missing is a truly memorable World Cup. Plenty of time to have one.

Interestingly, don't think Dinho ever had an outstanding WC.

You think Dinho was better than Fat Ronaldo?

for me he will never reach dinhos level (for me dinho on his peak was the best player ever), messi really has not the overall game

messi is a stupid winger in my eyes, his game is very limited, always doing the same stuff

he never scored against a decent side in the cl, always rapes the shit out of smaller teams and teams like arsenal, they getting raped because they suit perfect the style of barca

and his stats in la liga where the other teams in the league hopeless overcharged when they play barca

dinho raped milan, chelsea on his own and he won the cl on his own, while messi is useless without support, dinho was his own support

ok he is still 23, but he wont improve much on his game, he will always do the same stuff again and again and again, drive into the box with small ball control, this guy bores the shit out of me

Dinho is for me the greatest too.

Messi will just carry on being very fast and good at dribbling - he won't become a genius.

The only true geniuses are Dinho and Totti ATM - Totti could never reach Dinho's level due to not having the exceleration.

Dinho...

Yeah lets mock Rooney for not staying at the top for a long time..Dinho had what, two good years? Hence why I rate Raul so high, its relatively easy to reach the top, staying at it however...

Fey wrote:Dinho...

Yeah lets mock Rooney for not staying at the top for a long time..Dinho had what, two good years? Hence why I rate Raul so high, its relatively easy to reach the top, staying at it however...

He didn't reach the top - he surpassed it.

Other players with hints of genius are Bodmer, terribly wasted as DM or make shift CB and Bonaventure Kalou when he played centrally in between the midfielders and a striker for Auxerre.