The coach of Argentina, Lionel Scaloni, has made his choice in the debate about the greatest footballer of his country, Diego Maradona or Lionel Messi.
Messi finally matches Maradona’s international achievements when he leads Argentina to World Cup triumph in 2022, just as Diego did in 1986.
For many, it was seen as Messi’s crowning glory to cap an already fantastic career filled with countless trophies, accolades and records.
Scaloni has coached Messi at international level, first as an assistant and later as head coach, since 2017.
If I have to choose one, I will choose Leo, with whom I have something special,” Scaloni told “El Partizado de COPE” when asked to try to separate Messi and Maradona.
“He is the best in history, although Maradona was also great. Messi’s training is not difficult. On a technical level he cannot be corrected, but every now and then there is pressure or a way of attack is explained to him. To press, to steal balls and when there is blood, he is number one”, added the coach of Argentina.
With the World Cup now in his personal trophy cabinet, Messi has literally now won them all. His long wait for an international triumph finally came to an end in 2021 when Argentina triumphed at the Copa America, while he went one better by securing the world title in Qatar last month.
Given his personal impact on Argentina’s journey to glory, Messi is widely expected to receive the eighth Ballon d’Or of his career at the 2022/23 award ceremony.
