Messi or Maradona: who is better?
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(CNN Spanish) --
Diego Armando Maradona or Lionel Messi: who is better?
This is one of the most frequently asked questions in the football community.
And, to a certain extent, it is normal, since it is about two of the best footballers in the history of world football.
Many people who are fans of this sport would surely say that there is no point in debating this issue, since they played at different times and in contexts that made football as we know it now different.
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In short, the best thing would be to review both races and enjoy them equally.
To do this, we can take a look at the statistics to see what Maradona achieved and what Messi has achieved so far.
We will focus solely on the statistics of the two players with the Argentine senior team, since the Qatar 2022 World Cup has already begun and it could be the last for Messi, who is now 35 years old.
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Maradona vs.
Messi: the statistics of the two Argentine stars with their selection
On the left, Diego Maradona in a World Cup qualifying match in 1985;
on the left, Lionel Messi in a group match of the Copa América 2021. (Photo: created with Getty images)
Diego Maradona
Titles
: the 1986 FIFA World Cup in Mexico and the 1993 Artemio Franchi Cup (today known as the 'Finalissima'), according to the specialized Transfermarkt site.
Matches
: Transfermarkt data indicates that Maradona played 80 matches with the senior team, of which he won 42.
Goals
: In 80 appearances, Maradona scored 29 goals, making him the sixth all-time goalscorer for the Albiceleste.
Lionel Messi
Titles
: the Copa América 2021 and the 'Finalissima' 2022.
Games
: Messi has played 166 games for the senior team, with 100 wins in those games, according to Transfermarkt.
Goals
: In his 166 appearances, Messi has accumulated 92 goals, making him Argentina's all-time top scorer.
Diego Armando MaradonaLionel MessiArgentina National Team
