Diego Maradona, Lionel Messi Compared by Ex-Barcelona Coach Cesar Luis Menotti

Cesar Luis Menotti, who managed both Barcelona and Argentina, believes Diego Maradona is “more of a fighter” than compatriot Lionel Messi. 

Maradona and Messi have both represented Barca and Argentina, and they are widely considered to be two of the finest footballers ever. Given the similarities between the pair, there have long been comparisons drawn between the duo, and Menotti outlined what he thinks are the key differences.

“Diego was more rebellious than Messi,” he told Sport (h/t Stefan Coerts of Goal). “When something did not go his way, he got angry with himself. He was a great team-mate who was very supportive. Diego was more of a fighter. They are different characters.”

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Maradona is almost a deity in Argentina. The 1986 FIFA World Cup was the forward’s defining tournament, as he inspired the Albiceleste to the title with some mesmeric displays. In addition to his wonderful work with the ball, as the team’s captain Maradona also showcased tremendous leadership.

Here’s a reminder of just how good the former Napoli, Boca Juniors and Barcelona man was during that memorable tournament:

Messi’s major successes have come at club level with Barcelona, having won eight La Liga titles and four UEFA Champions League crowns. With Argentina, he’s yet to get over the line in a major tournament, agonisingly losing major finals—the 2014 World Cup and back-to-back Copa Americas—in each of the last three summers.

Criticism of Messi prompted him to temporarily retire from the international stage, although he’s since been reinstated into the setup. He’s shown signs of leadership recently too:

Indeed, Menotti believes the Barcelona man has a lot of determination, although the upbringing of the two Argentina greats means they display the trait in different ways:

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[Maradona] came from a very humble neighbourhood and took one step at a time, first at Argentinos Juniors and then at Boca Juniors. He endured more difficulties not just on the pitch, but in life in general as well. 

But Messi never gives up either. He expresses himself in a different way than Maradona, but they both do magical things on the pitch.

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While the current Barcelona star may not be as vibrant a personality as Maradona, Argentina’s run to three major finals in three years is largely down to the influence of the 29-year-old. At the previous two Copa America competitions Messi excelled in the run up to the final, while at the 2014 World Cup he was named Player of the Tournament.

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Menotti believes criticism of Messi’s performances in the Albiceleste jersey is ridiculous. “Without Messi we would not have got through the first round at the World Cup,” he said. “When everything appears to fall together for Argentina, Messi appears and he builds things back up.”

These figures from Squawka Football and 101 Great Goals show just how important Messi has been to the national team recently:

Maradona, at his absolute best, had everything. He was a stunning footballer, a galvanising presence and a colourful character who won the biggest trophy in the sport. It’s only natural that all star players coming out of Argentina are compared to the standards he set in his 91 appearances for the national side, even greats like Messi.

Indeed, for many Messi won’t be on the same level as the 56-year-old until he inspires Argentina to glory in a major tournament. And while the team haven’t been in the best form as of late, the determination Menotti speaks of will surely drive the forward in his pursuit to make than final step with the Albiceleste.