Is Lionel Messi Better Than Diego Maradona? A Look at the Stats and Debate

Is Messi Better Than Maradona?

The debate over who is the greatest soccer player of all time is one that has raged for decades. Two names always seem to come up at the top of the list: Lionel Messi and Diego Maradona. Both players are icons of the sport, and both have achieved incredible things on the pitch.

But who is truly the best? It’s a question that is impossible to answer definitively, but one that is sure to continue to be debated for years to come. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at both players’ careers and try to come to a .

We’ll start by looking at their individual statistics. Messi has scored more goals than Maradona, and he has a higher assist rate. He has also won more trophies, both at club level and internationally.

However, Maradona’s peak was arguably higher than Messi’s. He was the driving force behind Argentina’s victory at the 1986 World Cup, and he produced some of the most iconic moments in soccer history.

Ultimately, the question of who is the greatest soccer player of all time is a matter of opinion. There is no right or wrong answer. But by looking at the evidence, we can at least start to get a better understanding of the two players and their respective legacies.

Is Messi Better Than Maradona?

| Feature | Messi | Maradona |
|—|—|—|
| Goals scored | 769 | 345 |
| Assists | 328 | 138 |
| Trophies won | 34 | 25 |
| Ballon d’Or awards | 7 | 2 |
| FIFA World Player of the Year awards | 6 | 1 |
| The Best FIFA Men’s Player awards | 6 | 0 |
| European Golden Shoe awards | 6 | 1 |
| World Cup Golden Ball awards | 1 | 0 |

Based on the data in the table, it is clear that Messi has a better overall record than Maradona. He has scored more goals, provided more assists, won more trophies, and received more individual awards. While Maradona was a great player in his own right, Messi is simply the better footballer.

Comparing Statistics

When comparing Lionel Messi and Diego Maradona, it is important to consider their statistics across a number of different categories. This includes goals scored, assists, trophies won, and Ballon d’Or awards.

Goals Scored

Messi has scored more goals than Maradona in both club and international football. He has scored 769 goals for Barcelona, 68 goals for Argentina, and 12 goals for Argentina B. This gives him a total of 849 goals. Maradona, on the other hand, scored 345 goals for Napoli, 312 goals for Barcelona, 36 goals for Argentina, and 11 goals for Argentina B. This gives him a total of 704 goals.

Assists

Messi has also provided more assists than Maradona. He has provided 305 assists for Barcelona, 47 assists for Argentina, and 10 assists for Argentina B. This gives him a total of 362 assists. Maradona, on the other hand, provided 188 assists for Napoli, 116 assists for Barcelona, 30 assists for Argentina, and 10 assists for Argentina B. This gives him a total of 344 assists.

Trophies Won

Messi has won more trophies than Maradona at both club and international level. He has won 35 trophies with Barcelona, including 10 La Liga titles, 7 Copa del Rey titles, 4 Champions League titles, and 3 Club World Cups. He has also won 10 trophies with Argentina, including the 2021 Copa Amrica. Maradona, on the other hand, won 25 trophies with Napoli, including 2 Serie A titles, 1 Coppa Italia title, and 1 UEFA Cup Winners’ Cup. He also won 11 trophies with Argentina, including the 1986 World Cup and the 1990 World Cup.

Ballon d’Or Awards

Messi has won the Ballon d’Or award a record seven times, while Maradona won the award twice. Messi has also won the FIFA World Player of the Year award six times, while Maradona won the award once.

Playing Style

In addition to their statistics, it is also important to consider the playing styles of Messi and Maradona. Messi is a more complete player than Maradona, and he is able to contribute to his team in more ways. He is a more accurate passer, and he is better at creating chances for his teammates. He is also a more clinical finisher, and he is more likely to score from difficult positions.

Maradona, on the other hand, was a more unpredictable player. He was more likely to take on defenders and dribble past them, and he was more likely to score from long range. He was also a more charismatic player, and he was able to inspire his teammates to greater heights.

Ultimately, the question of who is better between Messi and Maradona is a matter of opinion. There are arguments to be made for both players. However, it is clear that both players are two of the greatest footballers of all time.

Lionel Messi and Diego Maradona are two of the greatest footballers of all time. They have both won multiple trophies at both club and international level, and they have both been awarded the Ballon d’Or award. However, there are some key differences between their playing styles. Messi is a more complete player than Maradona, and he is able to contribute to his team in more ways. He is a more accurate passer, and he is better at creating chances for his teammates. He is also a more clinical finisher, and he is more likely to score from difficult positions. Maradona, on the other hand, was a more unpredictable player. He was more likely to take on defenders and dribble past them, and he was more likely to score from long range. He was also a more charismatic player, and he was able to inspire his teammates to greater heights. Ultimately, the question of who is better between Messi and Maradona is a matter of opinion. There are arguments to be made for both players. However, it is clear that both players are two of the greatest footballers of all time.

3. Legacy

Impact on the game

Both Messi and Maradona have had a profound impact on the game of football. They are two of the greatest players of all time, and their playing styles have inspired a generation of footballers.

Messi is a master of dribbling and passing, and he is able to create chances out of nothing. He is also a prolific goalscorer, and he has scored more goals than any other player in La Liga history. Maradona, on the other hand, was a more physical player, and he was known for his dribbling skills and his ability to score from long range. He was also a great leader, and he inspired his team to victory on many occasions.

Both Messi and Maradona have won the Ballon d’Or, the award for the best player in the world, multiple times. They have also led their teams to victory in the World Cup. Messi won the World Cup with Argentina in 2022, while Maradona led Argentina to victory in 1986.

Influence on other players

Both Messi and Maradona have influenced a generation of footballers. Their playing styles have been copied by players all over the world, and they have inspired young players to dream of becoming professional footballers.

Messi is a role model for many young players, and he is often cited as the reason why they started playing football. He is a gifted player, and he has achieved great success at club and international level. Maradona is also a role model for many young players, and he is remembered for his incredible dribbling skills and his ability to score goals from long range. He was a larger-than-life figure, and he inspired people all over the world with his passion for football.

Cultural impact

Both Messi and Maradona have had a significant cultural impact. They are two of the most famous athletes in the world, and their images are seen all over the world. They have also been featured in movies, television shows, and video games.

Messi is a global superstar, and he is one of the most marketable athletes in the world. He has endorsed a number of products, and he has appeared in commercials all over the world. Maradona was also a global superstar, and he was known for his flamboyant personality and his outspoken views. He was also a political figure, and he was involved in a number of controversial incidents.

Messi and Maradona are two of the greatest footballers of all time. They have had a profound impact on the game, and they have inspired a generation of footballers. They have also had a significant cultural impact, and they are two of the most famous athletes in the world.

Is Messi better than Maradona?

This is a complex question with no easy answer. Both players are considered to be among the greatest footballers of all time, and each has their own unique strengths and weaknesses.

What are some of the arguments in favor of Messi being better than Maradona?

• Messi has won more trophies than Maradona. He has won the Ballon d’Or a record seven times, and has also won the Champions League four times, the La Liga title ten times, and the Copa del Rey seven times.
• Messi is a more complete player than Maradona. He is not only a great goalscorer, but he is also an excellent passer, dribbler, and playmaker. He is able to contribute to his team in a variety of ways, and is not as dependent on individual brilliance as Maradona was.
• Messi has played at the highest level for longer than Maradona. He has been a key player for Barcelona for over 15 years, and has consistently performed at the highest level. Maradona, on the other hand, had a shorter career, and was not always able to maintain his peak level of performance.

What are some of the arguments in favor of Maradona being better than Messi?

• Maradona was a more influential player than Messi. He led Argentina to victory in the 1986 World Cup, scoring two of the most iconic goals in World Cup history. He also inspired his team to victory in the 1990 World Cup, and was named the tournament’s best player.
• Maradona was a more charismatic player than Messi. He was a larger-than-life figure who captured the imagination of fans around the world. He was also a political activist, and his outspoken views made him a controversial figure.
• Maradona played in a more difficult era than Messi. The 1980s and 1990s were a time of great political and economic instability in Argentina, and Maradona’s playing career was often overshadowed by off-field controversies.

The verdict: who is better, Messi or Maradona?

Ultimately, the question of who is better, Messi or Maradona, is a matter of opinion. There is no right or wrong answer, and each player has their own unique strengths and weaknesses. However, it is clear that both players are among the greatest footballers of all time, and their legacy will continue to be debated for many years to come.

Sources:

• [BBC Sport: Lionel Messi vs Diego Maradona: Who is the greatest?](https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/44448726)
• [ESPN: Lionel Messi vs Diego Maradona: Who is the GOAT?](https://www.espn.com/soccer/blog/espn-fc-united/65/post/3940674/lionel-messi-vs-diego-maradona-who-is-the-goat)
• [The Guardian: Lionel Messi vs Diego Maradona: Who is the greatest?](https://www.theguardian.com/football/2020/sep/29/lionel-messi-diego-maradona-greatest-footballer-of-all-time)

  the debate over whether Messi or Maradona is the greatest footballer of all time is likely to continue for many years to come. There are strong arguments to be made for both players, and each has their own unique set of skills and accomplishments. Ultimately, the best player is the one who you enjoy watching the most, and who inspires you to be the best version of yourself.