Enjoy them all. It's always going to be subjective. Don't know how old you are, but I remember watching Pele, Maradona and all the great players who came later. For me, Maradona was the best I've ever seen.You could say exactly the same about Messi
He could do anything that Messi does, and do it better...close control, dribble through a minefield of tackles, trap a ball, turn on a dime, accelerate and twist past defenders, thread crazy passes no-one would expect, lob a long range goal past a keeper from an angle I've never seen Messi even consider.
I remember the testimonial.
This isn't true either! There is no true! It's all subjective. Brazilian Ronaldo more talented than Maradona....??? Alrighty then! You said you grew up watching Maradona, yet your age in your profile says you're 36. Don't know how much you remember when he was in his prime.This isn't true. I've seen loads of both, grew up watching Maradona. Messi is faster, has a quicker change of pace and direction and possibly quicker feet. Maradona had better close control imo, more varied and inspired - not sure anyone's had his control of a football. Messi is like Maradona sharpened up and Maradona is like Messi given more elegance (as odd a thing as that is to say about that bloke!). I've also seen Messi do pretty much anything Maradona did and things Maradona couldn't in tight, zig zagging through players in impossibly tight space and impossibly high speed and making almost 180 degree turns without losing much pace or dragging the ball under his foot.
All players and styles are different and I don't think any best player ever exists. Even body shape contributes greatly - maradona and messi aren't as similar as people think, maradona had really long legs and his style reflected being this weird barrel chested little long legged bloke who was elusive but always had the ball sticking to him, galloping about whereas messi can physically move the ball quicker and accelerate more quickly with his build. Personally I find Maradona's style more appealing visually but it might be Messi's is more effective.
I do think la liga is a joke and that Ronaldo and Messi's records are completely skewed. Don't think Messi would have his record anywhere else except in great barcelona passing teams built for him to score against abysmal opposition, and Ronaldo just the most selfish player I've ever seen, shoots much much more than any other player in the world every season, and forces the richest club in the world to give him the ball all the time as though it's the Ronaldo goals per games club, to the extent of throwing his arms in the air when Bale scores instead of him.
Maradona was also capable of dragging Napoli and Argentina single handedly to trophies. Messi can't do that, doesn't have the personality and has never really excelled for Argentina - I know he has a lot of goals but he simply doesn't dominate games in the same way, he'slike the ultimate barca style player. I've only ever seen one player have the same impact and influence on a team as maradona, to the extent of dominating a league, and that was Ronaldinho in his first couple of seasons at Barca. But I remember 17 year old Messi's first couple of games, and being laughed at for telling people he was better than Ronaldinho. He wouldjust come on and scythe through 4 or 5 players almost every time he got the ball. Completely unbeatable in those days - like the perfect dribbler, and that was before all his vision, passing, finishing became evident.
Anyway - the most talented player I've ever seen is Brazilian Ronaldo but Nike plus other teams wrecked his career when he was about 22 and had won world player of the year a couple of times. He had more vision than people credit him for as well as being the most astonishing monster of a dribbler, and incredibly fast and strong. Though I've never liked his shooting
So, my opinions are untrue, but yours are subjective? LOL! How old were you when you said you grew up watching Maradona?
I have no idea who's better, but I've seen Messi do all the things you've listed.
I’ve seen Messi do those things too. I just think Maradona was a step up above. I also think both players are better than anyone else I’ve ever seen play the game. Could watch them both all day!
