Diego Maradona vs Lionel Messi
Argentina against Argentina. The almanac states its case, the crowd votes, you decide.
Diego Maradona
Argentina · 1986–90 · CAM
- Almanac rating
- 99
- Rank in Argentina
- #1 of 33
- Caps
- 91 · 34 goals
- Clubs
- FC Barcelona, SSC Napoli, Sevilla
- Honours
- FIFA Player of the Century 2000
At the Azteca on 22 June 1986 he collected the ball in his own half, beat five England players over sixty yards in about eleven seconds, and rolled it past Peter Shilton. He won the 1986 World Cup and its Golden Ball, took Napoli to their first two Serie A titles in 1987 and 1990, added the 1989 UEFA Cup, and reached the 1990 World Cup final. Career record: 91 caps and 34 goals for Argentina; club career at FC Barcelona, SSC Napoli, Sevilla; honours include FIFA Player of the Century 2000.
Lionel Messi
Argentina · 2021–24 · RM
- Almanac rating
- 99
- Rank in Argentina
- #2 of 33
- Caps
- 207 · 125 goals
- Clubs
- Newell's Old Boys, FC Barcelona, Inter Miami CF
- Honours
- 2× Ballon d'Or (2009–2010) · FIFA World Player of the Year 2009 · The Best FIFA award 2019
Lusail, 18 December 2022: he scored twice in a final that ended 3-3, then buried the first penalty of a shootout Argentina won 4-2. The trophy cabinet runs from the 2022 World Cup and a second Golden Ball through the Copa América of 2021 and 2024 to eight Ballon d'Or awards, four Champions Leagues, ten La Liga titles and 672 goals for Barcelona. Career record: 207 caps and 125 goals for Argentina; club career at Newell's Old Boys, FC Barcelona, Inter Miami CF; honours include 2× Ballon d'Or (2009–2010), FIFA World Player of the Year 2009, The Best FIFA award 2019.
The verdict
The almanac cannot separate them: both are rated 99.
Fans have not settled this one yet. Cast the first vote in the duels.