Messi or Maradona? Pablo Zabaleta answers your questions in our World Cup Pundit Q&A | BBC Sport

Former Argentina defender Pablo Zabaleta sits down with BBC Sports Liam Loftus to answer questions from our followers about the World Cup and his career.
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Messi or Maradona? Pablo Zabaleta answers your questions in our World Cup Pundit Q&A | BBC Sport

[@MilgrineGenio]

Messi would say Maradona, he is not that self-centered although he is very talented. And Maradona was definitely proud of him :-)

[@JosephsSnowboardChannel]

Thanks for answering my question 😊

[@grogu1986]

They’re both the best ever but Messi is the GOAT. Arguably the best goalscorer/dribbler/passer of all time, all in one. 788 goals, 348 assists, 41 trophies, 6 golden boots, 7 Ballons d’Or. Still one of the best in the world at 35. Maradona didn’t have such longevity.

[@estasquecrujes]

Can't compare eras. Firstly, the Balon d'Or was the European footballer of the year in those days and only open to Europeans until 1995. Had it been open Maradona'd probably have won it in 85, 86, 87, 89 and 90, although in 1988 Van Basten might have been given it purely because it was Euros year. Regarding goals - Maradona was a playmaker for an otherwise average Napoli side in the horribly defensive Seria A of the 1980s, not as a false 9 in the phenomenal Barcelona side of the much easier to score in Spanish league. Despite that he averaged an outstanding 0.44 goals per game in that league - In comparison the fêted Ruud Gullit who was the next best midfielder in the league and won 3 Balon d'Ors only averaged 0.34 goals per game. in the prolific Italian league no 9s ever (Van Basten and Ronaldo) only scored 0.62 goals per game. In Barcelona Maradona averaged 0.61 goals per game before he got his leg broken - way better than any other player in that position. Which brings me neatly to the next point - longevity. Recently watched a highlights clip of Napoli vs AC Milan in 1989 and it was astounding how often Maradona was fouled - almost every time he got the ball. He got his leg broken at Barcelona, he got kicked out of the 1982 world cup. Now with referee protection and the tackle from behind outlawed Messi can thrive, but he probably wouldn't have in the old days. He certainly wouldn't have lasted 15 years.

[@thekububeach]

Messi played for Barcelona with Xavi, Iniesta. Maradona played with average players from mediocre teams. Longevity? Let's see how Messi would cope with brutal tackles like what Maradona had in 80s.

[@leonhall856]

@@estasquecrujes i see you know your football, some of these messi fans have no idea about the GOAT maradona or what he had to go against

[@dantemarotta356]

Maradona did it for Napoli who won nothing before him and played in an era of no protection from refs with fouls from behind and by comparison to today you'd have to punch someone to get sent off. There is no way Messi can do what Diego did for Napoli against the best defences in the world.

[@buffalosowljah373]

this is so true.. the players these days got it oh so easy .. love to see the messies etc play on those bumpy muddy pitches they had waaaayy back in tha day

[@CrimsonPhoenix15]

By your logic I could say Maradona can't do it now because strategy has improved, players have improved (fitness/skill/tactics), Team organization has improved, Its harder to score now than then, Not all players back then were professional they had day jobs etc. Its useless to compare it like that the game has changed so much

[@shotgunshawzy]

@@CrimsonPhoenix15 CLOWN it would be a walk in the park for Maradona these days, nobody could touch him plus he was stronger than Messi, Diego would be 3 times as good if playing with these beach balls today, lol idiot.

[@CrimsonPhoenix15]

@@shotgunshawzy Cool story bro👍👍

[@shotgunshawzy]

@@CrimsonPhoenix15 `you have a lot to learn BRO, maybe with age you will get smarter and learn more about the sport.

[@fredfredericks3496]

Sound lad.

[@danielamanea6678]

Next on BBC Sport: Champions cup of football, Qatar 2022 - 18:00 Football and sport - 19:00 BBC Sport News - 20:00

[@paoloamici7944]

The King of Football vs A man without balls thank you Iniesta and Xavi🤣

[@melkadyo]

wow. this comment has aged well.

[@gattuso3997]

Diego Maradona

[@corkandi]

No question...Maradona was levels above Messi in a game that was much harder back then.

[@criticalanalysis7486]

No offsides back then and arguably worser players. We view them as legends due to the nostalgic factor and also the skill they had no doubt but modern day players are miles clear of the icons from those times. Messi is indeed superior to Maradona

[@rudifoulkes8605]

don’t think it was much harder back then mate

[@shotgunshawzy]

@@criticalanalysis7486 The offside rule originated in 1863. A player was considered offside unless three players of the opposing side are in front of him (includes goalkeeper)

[@syberdieforlove]

This is one of the most stupid takes I have ever read lol

[@joshleach3349]

Pablo Zabaleta duh duh duh 😅😅😅

[@DpM5719]

Fors

[@DpM5719]

First*

[@TarimUlhaq]

R9 & Messi ahead of Maradona.. he has to be 3

[@Nothing-lr3dt]

You have exact list as mine and i rarely hear this opinion, usually people put Maradona above R9

[@TarimUlhaq]

@@Nothing-lr3dt if R9 isn’t plagued by injuries he’s at the top. But because we have seen Messi not get injured and shown what talent can doo over longevity it has to be Messi. But R9 was ahead of his time. It was unheard of to be that good and prolific at the same time.

[@Nothing-lr3dt]

@@TarimUlhaq yeah i agree, he was absolutely insane

[@ammarparmr]

R9 Should be comapred woth Giroud, Benzema, etx Not with legends And please dont say "IF" he has not got injured

[@Nothing-lr3dt]

@@ammarparmr after Messi R9 is the second most impossible footballer that i've ever seen, simply based on that he is the 2nd greatest and if you cant see that its because you: 1. Haven't played football at at least amateur level 2. Are biased against him 3. Simply don't understand football