Maradona just has to trump Messi as the best ever
MY son Nicolai found a great photograph the other day, which I shared on my Instagram. It was from the Artemio Franchi Trophy, which was named after the Italian former UEFA president and was a one-off game between the European and South America champions. It was only ever played twice, in 1985 when France beat Uruguay 2-0 and in 1993 when Denmark faced Argentina. That game was the first time I captained my country and the opposition skipper was none other than Diego Maradona. The match took place in Argentina, in Mar del Plata, and what a contest it was, finishing 1-1 after extra-time before we lost 5-4 on penalties. I scored mine!
Playing against the best player on the planet was a huge moment for me. I know comparisons are often made between Maradona and Lionel Messi. Both are left-footed, both are small guys who played No 10 for Argentina. It’s difficult to compare them because players were not as protected in Maradona’s day as they are now. Defenders these days are better passers, they are quick, they are allowed to go forward. But back then, especially in Italy, defenders were only on the pitch to spoil. So for Maradona to create history winning two Serie A titles with Napoli, one of the smaller teams in Italy compared to AC Milan, Inter and Juventus, was a remarkable achievement. It’s unfair to say he won the 1986 World Cup single-handedly but the significance of his contribution can’t be underestimated. Maradona and Messi will always be compared but the problem for Messi is he has never won anything with Argentina. The younger era will say Messi is the best player ever, the older generation will say he is missing something. Maybe both sides are right. But, for me, because I played against him and grew up watching him, Maradona is the greatest ever, with Messi a very close second.