Maradona isknown for his controversial opinions andtook a dig at the former Real Madrid star's persona on and off the field. While Messi continues to be captain of Barcelona and the Argentina national team, Diego Maradona asserted that his personality is not one of a leader. Anyone who likes football, likes Cristiano.". Speaking of Ronaldo, Maradona said that the Portuguese superstar scores a goal and then 'sells a shampoo' and added that it would have been interesting if Cristiano Ronaldowas anArgentina native. The former Argentina captain, who produced one of the great World Cup performances in 1986 and won four league titles in three countries, surprisingly criticised Messi, before lavishing praise on the Portuguese. He's the best around and Cristiano doesn't even come close to him. "Although [Johan] Cruyff deserves a separate mention for the mark he left on football. News Corp is a network of leading companies in the worlds of diversified media, news, education, and information services. It's impossible.". For further details of our complaints policy and to make a complaint please click here. Maradona was then asked whether the pressure was on Ronaldo to perform. "I'm sorry, but nobody will reach my old man's level. They have been difficult to split with some believing Ronaldo's Euros win with Portugal in 2016 takes him above Barcelona's all time top scorer. Ronaldo's stint at Real Madrid, arch-rivals of Messi's Barcelona further fuelled the debate. Pele and Diego Maradona have both put forward their verdicts on the never-ending debate between Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo. Messi missed Argentina's opening game of the Copa America - a 2-1 win against Chile - but is expected to return against Panama. Argentinian football god launches shock scathing attack on Barcelona icon but lavishes praise on Portuguese arch-rival. However Maradona Jr thinks his countryman is better, adding, "I adore Messi. He obviously hates YOUR football team and has no interest in synchronised swimming. Diego Maradonaadded that nobodydoubts the value ofLionel Messi, but he certainly is not the best. To see all content on The Sun, please use the Site Map. We can say that Maradona is the God of football and that Leo is the best of the humans. Favourites? Lionel Messi is the best human at football, but he's not better than Diego Maradona was - at least that's according to the World Cup winner's son. I see a lot of teams that can do well, but the ball will decide. Both Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo share an astonishing 11 Ballon d'Ors between them. In football there are no small opponents. Asked who does come behind his father and Messi, the younger Maradona said it was the Brazilian Ronaldo but also left praise for another football legend. Hes one of those players who practically on his own can put a team in the final. He covers all sport from football, formula one, cricket, rugby, tennis, athletics, mma and wrestling. Comments are subject to our community guidelines, which can be viewed, Football great Diego Maradona was surprisingly critical of fellow Argentinean Lionel Messi - before lavishing praise on his great rival Cristiano Ronaldo, Maradona was speaking at a legends tournament in Paris ahead of Euro 2016, The World Cup winner lines up a shot at goal during the game, Maradona says Lionel Messi 'lacks leadership qualities', Legends Maradona and Pele appeared to get over their previous disagreement, The pair embraced - they had feuded over a vote to find the greatest player ever, Maradona believes England have 'improved' and could be a force at Euro 2016, Maradona expects Cristiano Ronaldo to be the 'star' of Euro 2016, Maradona and Pele were at a legends tournament ahead of Euro 2016, Independent Press Standards Organisation (IPSO). Published8:28 PM,Friday August 07 2020 GMT+1. 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