Former Italian football star Fabio Cannavaro recently compared two of the finest players Argentine football has ever produced, Diego Maradona and Lionel Messi. Cannavaro believes that the Barcelona star is definitely one of the greatest players ever to grace the field but Maradona is from another world.
Since the rise of Lionel Messi, the whole world started to compare him with the Argentine legend and 1986 World Cup winner, Diego Maradona. And now, former Italian star also gave his verdict about this debate. Fabio helped the Azzurri to secure their grand international cup way back in 2006.
Fabio Cannavaro believes Diego Maradona is way better than Lionel Messi
The Italian star was just a mere teenage practicing for Napoli when Diego Maradona led them to win the Serie A title twice. And while comparing Lionel Messi with his teenage idol, Fabio Cannavaro said, “I respect Messi a lot.” The star then told Sky Sports, “For the new generation he is one of the best.”
He said, “But Maradona is different because the football was different. They kicked him a lot but he was always in control and he was tough.” He then also added, “Messi is top but Maradona is another world. I never compare him with other players. I never saw Pele but I watched Maradona, for seven years I saw every game.”
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Cannavaro then talked about Diego Maradona’s legacy, and said, “He’s not one of the best, he’s the best.” He then added, “I played with both of them, with Diego I was taking my first steps. They are two footballing giants, and when he retires, Messi will be remembered.”
He said, “I don’t know if it’ll be like Diego, it doesn’t matter. They are different.” The former Italian legend then further added, “Diego was pure art in all his mannerisms, Messi a Speedy Gonzalez who carries the ball two centimeters from his foot.”