Lionel Messi is only a step away from becoming what Diego Maradona was
Spanish player Xavi Hernandez recently said that Lionel Messi is better than the Argentinean legend Diego Maradona; however, that is not
entirely true. Lionel Messi does adore Diego Armando Maradona as a legend of Argentina and does try to copy him at times, but the current player of the year is still a step away from becoming what Maradona is.
Both the Argentineans are big names in football and both of them are of short height as they stay firm on the ground with a good grip at the ball. However, former Argentinean coach Diego Maradona, a bit shorter than Lionel Messi,
was simply phenomenal to see when the ball was at his feet.
Another thing both have in common is the fact that they both played for the Spanish football club Barcelona. We all know how Lionel Messi became number 10 for the Catalan side: after his amazing performance against the Spanish
giants, Real Madrid. He was able to make use of his skill to get past the defender of the year, Fabio Cannavaro, and the Brazilian legend Roberto Carlos. On the other hand, Diego Maradona has had his times in Barcelona, and he is still known as a legend in
their team. However, he decided to quit the Catalan club only after a year.
Moreover, both the Argentineans wore the number 10 jersey for their national side. Diego Maradona, in the 1986 World Cup, wore the number 10 shirt just like Lionel Messi wore it during the 2010 FIFA World Cup. However, it was Maradona
who won it for his team back then, while Lionel Messi could not really prove himself while playing for his country.
Moreover, in 1986, Argentina qualified for the quarterfinal and met England as their opponents. The English side lost 2-1 and Maradona scored the first goal with the “hand of god” as he took a “little help” from his hand to score
the first goal of the match. Messi, on the other hand, was playing for Barcelona and scored a goal with his hand on 18th April 2007 against Getafe:
practically the same way Diego Maradona did it.
In the 1986 quarterfinal match, Diego Maradona scored his second goal by sweeping past 6 of the English defenders and it was later known as the “goal of the century.” Messi, likewise, scored a goal against Getafe in Copa del Rey
and he ran the same distance, 62 feet, and was able to beat the same number of players and scored a goal from the exact same position.
Lionel Messi and Diego Maradona are so alike that Messi later on was beginning to get famous by the name “Messidona” as he was doing the exact same things as the legendary Maradona used to do. Both are left-footed, both played
on the right wing and both can do wonders when the ball is at their feet, but the attitude, both on pitch and off-pitch, of both the players is just not the same. Diego Maradona is famous for the fights he used to pick up on and off the pitch which was a part
of his attitude and his anger issues; while on the other hand, Lionel Messi is very humble and is never involved in any controversy.
Although Messi is quite similar to Diego Maradona, Maradona still has something that the Barcelona man wants and that is the success in international football by helping his country win glory.
We all know that Lionel Messi couldn't prove himself during the 2010 FIFA World Cup, but he still has a long way to go as he is very young at the moment. If "Messidona" can help the Argentinean team win a FIFA World Cup, he will
definitely surpass Diego Maradona in all the aspects.
Tags: