Why Messi will never be as great as Maradona – Batistuta

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Argentina legend Gabriel Batistuta has made the bold claim that Lionel Messi will never be on the same level as Diego Maradona.

Batistuta, 49, believes Messi lacks the requisite “charisma” to be considered a great like his former Argentinian teammate, despite the Barcelona ace being La Albiceleste’s all-time top goalscorer.

strious career at the Camp Nou so far, scoring over 500 goals for the Catalan giants, while also collecting five Ballon d’Or awards in the process. NaijaBet.com

Messi overtook Batistuta as Argentina’s all-time top scorer when he scored his 55th goal against the United States in 2016, and now La Pulga boasts 61 goals for the national side, compared to Batistuta’s own 54.

However, the former Roma striker believes Maradona will always be considered the greatest of all-time. NaijaBet.com

“Diego was the greatest of all,” Batistuta told Corriere dello Sport.

“He represents an Argentinian in many things, not just in football. He has a charisma. He has rare talent and fantasy.

“Messi, even if technically is same or more, he doesn’t have more charisma than Maradona had. NaijaBet.com

“Diego could bring to life the entire stadium. Everyone looked at him. I played with him and I can tell you how decisive he was.”

Batistuta played alongside Maradona on a number of occasions, including the game in which he scored his last ever goal for the national side, coming in a 4-0 victory over Greece in the 1994 World Cup – with Batistuta scoring the other three.

Messi has so far had a distinguished career with Barcelona, winning La Liga on eight occasions, the Copa del Rey on five and the Champions League four times. However, his trophy cabinet for his country remains empty. NaijaBet.com

Maradona famously lifted the 1986 World Cup trophy in Mexico after winning the final 3-2 against West Germany, while he also scored five goals in the tournament and collected the Golden Ball.

Winning the World Cup with Argentina is all that is missing for Messi in an otherwise near perfect career.

In preparation for the World Cup this summer, Argentina will play Spain on Tuesday in Madrid. NaijaBet.com