Messi or Maradona? (Part2 of 2)

It is said that great players are too types:
- one who makes you feel that football is a very tough game.
- other who makes you feel that football is very simple one.
Maradona belongs to the first group, Messi to the second.

One thing kept striking me in the last 3 months everytime I see him playing, and with every goal he scored, that he plays really really simple football. Most of his recent goals came out of simple touches that requires  little to normal physical efforts, but huge foot sensitivity and brain skills.

At this age, he is reaching quick maturity, he is ahead of his age I think. The way he distribute his effort during the game, making spaces, and scoring with the least sweat in his shirt, is awesome.

Everytime I see him, I wonder, how can they don't mark him? You often see him alone. I never seen any star left alone like him. Is it the era he is in, or it is because of his positioning skills?

With some thoughts, Messi can be much better than Maradona (only at age 22):

- He did far much better than Maradona at 22. He got La Liga title, Champion League title and Club WC title, and Messi was a main part of getting all of these titles scoring decisive goals in them. At that age, Maradona only had the Youth 1979 WC, which Messi already won too.


- Messi goals far more than Maradona. Without counting, Messi just scored 2 hatricks and 1 superhatricks within last few weeks. Opps, we almost forgot a hatrick vs. Real Madrid in 2007. All of these goals without a single exception were with a wonderful style, cleverness and elegance. If I am not mistaken Maradona had one hatrick in his career, and that was with Napoli when he became mature enough.

- All of that in a game that is more dynamic, tougher, faster pace and less spaces compared to that one 2 or 3 decades ago. What would Messi do if he came at Maradona era?


- At 22, Messi is far more mature than his master at that age. The positioning inside the game, his balance, tricking opponents balance, spending efforts in a way to benefit the team not to get fans cheers.

but, wait, look at these pictures

That picture to the left won the football photo of the century in FourFourTwo English magazine. It was in the 1982 WC opening vs. Belgium. Six players chasing Maradona. Another one vs. Peru, also six players around him.

Here are the reasons, why Maradona for sure is a much better player:

- Maradona faced every type of legal and illegal violence. Yes, the game back then was slower, but for Maradona, he never had a chance to breath without every type of kicking, pulling and chasing. Stars were not protected. German keeper Schumacher broke Battiston ribs, teeth and sent him in a coma, and still was allowed to play the final. Two years later Maradona broke his ankle in Spain.

- Players today have more experience than in the past, this why they mature faster. If Maradona had the Champion League experiences, he would have produced much more fun at earlier age.

- Maradona used to play in about 70 to 80 meters of the field, inspiring the rest of the team with so many passes and moves, not only scoring goals. Messi only plays as a striker in about 35 to 40 meters of the field. In other words, Maradona influence the game much more than Messi.

- Messi got bunch of great stars next to him. Maradona never had this luxury. He barely had Careca in Napoli, and in Argentina, well ... he got only the coach next to him. Yes, there were Valdano and Burruchaga, but honestly, you can replace them with any good players and don't notice the difference.

When Messi plays in Argentinian team, he could not repeat those Barca magical moments.

Actually, this WC will be a repetitive of Maradona 1982 WC conditions. Lousy coach who carries passion and promises without plans. Bunch of stars, but without structure, and a fame that makes him a target for every defender.

So, who is better at age of 22?

When my friends tell me Maradona, I say I don't disagree.

When others say Messi, I say, I don't disagree.

My honest opinion:

- Messi has more influence to the game than Maradona only at the age of 22. So, I favour Messi at this age, especially in terms of maturity.

- Yet, we don't have to forget that no comparison is a fair one. Messi had better conditions and better team around him than that of Maradona one. No one can imagine what Maradona would do if he was 22 and playing with Gardiola squad next to Xavi and Ineista. May be he would surpass Messi by far.

Just as a reminder, this is Maradona vs. England, he was only 20

Irregardless of any unfair comparison. Messi got many years to give his best, and it does not really matter Maradona or Messi. He is there to be the next king of football.