The retired Argentina star described the Barcelona star as
"extraordinary" but believes suggesting he is as good as the ex-Napoli man was
is foolish
Former Argentina striker Hernan Crespo thinks comparing Lionel Messi to Diego Maradona is ridiculous as the latter was
indescribably good.
Opinion is split over where Messi ranks among the all-time greats, with some
suggesting that the Barcelona forward could have been mentioned as the Napoli
legend's equal had he guided his country to World Cup glory this summer -
something he came very close to achieving until Germany triumphed in extra-time
in the final.
Crespo, whose Argentina debut came a year after Maradona's international
retirement and whose final cap came when the Barcelona star was still a
promising talent, hates judging players from different time periods.
"You cannot compare players from different eras," the current Parma youth
coach told La Gazzetta dello Sport. "It is unfair.
"When I was on the pitch myself, I was being marked by Fabio Cannavaro,
Alessandro Nesta, Paolo Maldini, Lilian Thuram... See what I mean?
"Some people fall into the trap of wanting at all costs to compare Messi to
Maradona. But you've got to be joking - Messi is extraordinary, but you cannot
describe Maradona's ability in words."
Crespo spent 14 out of 19 of his years as a professional footballer playing
in Italy and he lamented the way that Serie A has fallen behind in terms of
quality compared to La Liga and the Premier League.
"One time, say 10 or 15 years ago, all of the best players came here," the
ex-Parma, AC Milan and Inter striker added. "Now, however, Cristiano Ronaldo and
Messi would not dream of setting foot in Italy.
"We have to change this mentality by growing talents here. Serie A's aim
today is that of exporting, not importing. If we travel along this road, we can
get back to the top in four years. I say this as an adopted Italian, not as an
Argentine."
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