TWO FORMER WORLD CUP STARS HAVE THEIR SAY...

Glenn Hoddle’s verdict

‘I do think he needs to do something in the World Cup to eclipse Diego Maradona. When people ask who’s the best I’ve ever played with it’s Maradona. And I’m lucky. I managed to play with him in Ossie Ardiles’ testimonial and against him in the ‘Hand of God’ game in 1986. I go for Maradona because of the pitches he played on and the laws. The suffering he had to go through!’

Michael Owen’s verdict

‘I’m going on hearsay really when talking about Maradona. Messi’s probably the best player I’ve ever seen. I wasn’t fortunate enough to watch Maradona or Pele but my dad tells me about them. But to be right up there, I think if you play for a nation like Argentina, then you have to do something in the World Cup. It’s the biggest tournament in the world, so you have to perform there.