Diego Maradona Talks Cristiano Ronaldo vs. Lionel Messi, Mourinho vs. Guardiola

Argentina legend Diego Maradona believes Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi are on the "same level" in terms of quality, but he says goalkeepers are more afraid of the Real Madrid man.

Both have hit extraordinary levels of consistency in recent times, with no player other than Portugal's Ronaldo or Argentina's Messi winning the coveted Ballon d'Or in the last seven years.

In terms of contributions to goals, the pair are unmatched across Europe this season, per Squawka:

Maradona believes Ronaldo's ability in front of goal put him alongside Barcelona's Messi at the top of the world game, per Guillem Balague of Sky Sports' Revista de La Liga:

"

Cristiano is a predator in front of goal. You can’t let Cristiano shoot from anywhere in the opposition half. 

Goalkeepers are scared of him. You have to be honest, goalkeepers are scared of Cristiano. They are not so scared of Messi in those areas because he doesn’t have the same power as Cristiano. 

Cristiano is an incredible professional. I think at this present time he is right up there at Messi’s level. 

It’s not the case that Messi is better than Ronaldo or Ronaldo is better than Messi. I think they are at the same level.

"

In La Liga this season, Ronaldo has his nose in front in terms of goals scored, having netted 42 times compared to Messi's 40, per WhoScored.com.

Raad Adayleh/Associated Press

However, it looks likely that Messi's Barca will take the title, as they sit four points ahead of second-placed Real with just two games remaining.

The world's two best players could well be set to meet in this year's Champions League final in Berlin, a showdown Sky Sports pundit Gary Neville believes the pair deserve:

Barca's place in the final is effectively already sealed following their 3-0 win over Bayern Munich in their semi-final first leg.

Meanwhile, Real Madrid host Juventus in the second leg of their semi-final at the Bernabeu on Wednesday, and they will need to turn around a 2-1 deficit from the first leg.

Widely considered as one of the best players of all time, Maradona also waded into the argument surrounding the best managers currently working in football.

The 54-year-old believes that Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho is better than Bayern's Pep Guardiola, per Balague:

"

For me, Mourinho is the greatest without a shadow of a doubt because he knows what you’re going to say before you say it. 

It’s extremely dangerous! That’s what makes him Mourinho. That’s what makes him the greatest. 

Pep or Mourinho? I say Mourinho. I think Pep needs a little more time, as Mourinho has had, to be Mourinho. 

"

Mourinho and Guardiola have already sealed their respective domestic titles this season. At 44 years old, Guardiola is eight years Mourinho's junior and has five domestic titles and two Champions League wins as a manager.

The Portuguese Mourinho has won eight domestic titles—two with Porto, three with Chelsea, two with Inter Milan and one with Real—and also has two Champions League titles to his name.

Neither looks likely to add to his European trophy cabinet this season, Chelsea having been knocked out of the Champions League at the last-16 stage and Bayern on the brink of going out to Barca.

However, they are both at the top of their games, and as Maradona notes, Mourinho has had more time in management, hence his better record.

There is little doubt that Messi, Ronaldo, Mourinho and Guardiola will go on to win many more titles and awards in their respective careers.

The comparison between the two pairs of greats is largely pointless, but for Maradona, Mourinho has the edge over Guardiola, while Messi and Ronaldo are inseparable.