They’d all be wrong
It is Diego
Best was before my time but I’ve seen the clips and know what he achieved. Maybe he was the GOAT before Diego. Can understand kids saying Messi is the GOAT, pundits less so.
On what basis do you have Maradona down as the best? The eye test? Not exactly like for like but Messi’s numbers dwarfed his at club level. Ultimately they both won their World Cup but only one of them was allowed leave Barcelona after a slightly underwhelming spell in his early to mid 20’s. Maradona was more or less finished by the age of 31/32 as well.
Serie A was the strongest league in the World. He went to Napoli who had never won a league before. He won it twice against the great AC Milan team. Won UEFA Cup which was as difficult to win as the European Cup. Won 86 World Cup. Got them to the 90 final.
Messi stats are impressive but they are similar to Ronaldo’s. Both had outstanding players all round them. Maradona did it mainly on his own.
1 Like
You could add in the protection from refs that Messi and Ronaldo undoubtedly had compared to Maradona.
Maradona got dogs abuse everytime he went out on the pitch
Also, in addition the pitches in Maradonas days were v. poor compared to modern day surfaces but as mentioned previously the stand out for me was the ability of the respective teammates.
And finally Messi sold his soul for Saudi money…the great man from Argentina would never have done that in a million years …
Was he not heavily connected to a drugs cartel in Naples?
Diego also had defenders properly kicking him. Some of the tackles were brutal
And he often did it on fields that resembled something at the ploughing match
An incredible player, anybody old enough to remember 86 can have little doubt who the GOAT is
1 Like
if it was around at the time, he would have been first up FFS
3 Likes
Diego was quite simply the greatest I have ever seen. Messi brilliant but for me nobody ever tops Diego
1 Like
How many full maradona matches did you see compared to messi and what age were you when you saw them? Has to be taken into account
Yes the auld lads prefer the lad who was good when they were kids
2 Likes
All that has to be taken into account here is my opinion Maradona is the greatest footballer I have seen in my lifetime. The clue in my post is for me and my, if other lads believe Messi that’s their opinion and they are fully entitled to it, life would be boring withov opinions
BTW I was 11 for Mexico 86
4 Likes
Fucking hell.
Do you want to see his CV as well?
3 Likes
I’l make sure to have up to date references
1 Like
Messi was a genius without a doubt. You would actually forget how incredible he was for Barcelona. And he was immense for Argentina at the last World Cup.
He was a proper professional as well. And maintained a quiet persona off pitch.
Maradona wasn’t at all professional by today’s standards and that adds to his appeal. Also Maradona did devastating things such as his goals against Belgium and England in 1986 - goals that will be remembered for all time.
It could be argued that Maradona didn’t just win matches on his own but tournaments and leagues.
Messi may well have done the same had he been around then but he had two of the best midfielders ever behind him at club level. Maradona may not have been able to play with them,
It’s all swings and roundabouts but for sheer joy in terms of the whole package, Maradona comes out on top for me.
4 Likes
Maradonas or jayos?
1 Like
Pele was better than either of them in fairness and has the three World Cup winners medals to prove it.
1 Like
Lads furiously arguing over what they think a dead man would have done if he was still alive and in his 20s.
Class.
Who’s going to win this one?
DIXIE DEAN WOULD HAVE GONE TO SAUDI ARABIA WERE HE ALIVE NOW AND 32 YEARS OF AGE.
THE BASTARD.
Billy Dane would have gone too.