Opinion – The World Is a Ball: Winning the World Cup makes Messi bigger than Maradona

Messi is bigger than Maradona. I thought I would never write this, but the time has come.

In terms of stature, 1.70 mx 1.65 m, that’s it, but I’m not talking about the biggest one I’m talking about, but another: the greatest football player in the history of Argentina. Bigger as synonymous with better.

In terms of winning club titles, Lionel surpassed Diego a long time ago, collecting four Champions League and three World Cups, to mention only the most relevant titles, all with Barcelona.

Goals, Messi has more than 750, in the sum of those scored by clubs and the national team; Maradona, a third of that. Dribbling, the arsenal of “Fulga” is equivalent to that of “Pibe de Oro”. Possessing, both of them, possibly the best left-handed legs that ever carried the ball.

For the new generation, for those who could (and can) watch Messi play but who didn’t see Maradona, there would be no doubt. How can anyone, and not just Diego, but anyone, be considered bigger/better than Lionel?

Precisely because of this, because they didn’t see the wonders that “El Diez” provided us. The sprints (which Messi also gives), the assists (which Messi also gives), the race…

Messi has always been economical in his race, and Maradona’s race was overflowing, it was evident from game to game in all his features. He was chilling and he was infectious.

And there was the 1986 World Cup in Mexico. The Maradona Cup. Five goals and five assists in the undefeated campaign, which culminated in the final victory over Germany.

I was 13 years old and I supported Argentina in that decision. Not because it was Argentina, but because it had Maradona, the greatest player of the time, the player who overthrew England (in the quarterfinals) and then Belgium (in the semifinals).

Maradona scored two goals in each of those games, the most memorable against the English, one coming from the field itself, another –the most famous of the 22 Cups–, the “with the hand of God”.

In the final, surrounded by three Germans in the midfield of the Azteca stadium, the captain of the team put in a perfect ball for Burruchaga to score the winning goal.

Maradona lifted the FIFA Cup, reached the Olympus of football. An eternal idol, he even had a church founded in his honor in Argentina. He became a god.

In this century, just over a decade after Maradona stopped playing, Messi emerged. A phenomenon that would win the Ballon d’Or seven times, an award given annually to the best player in the world.

And that he would fail at attempt after attempt to triumph with his country’s national team. World Cup after World Cup (2006, 2010, 2014, 2018), the title did not come. In Brazil, in 2014, lock, with the runner-up.

As much as Messi was loved, as much as Messi was admired, as much as Messi was idolized, any comparison with Maradona necessarily stopped at the World Cup. One had one, the other had zero.

Not even Copa America, the continental tournament, Messi could win, failing in 2007, 2011, 2015, 2016 and 2019. Not just him, Argentina together. There seemed to be something, some strange force, that prevented success.

Maradona stopped playing for the national team in 1994. Argentina won the 1993 Copa América. After that, the long fast only ended in the 2021 edition, with Messi and company finally celebrating.

A little over a year later, came the Qatar Cup. Argentina champion, Messi playing “like Maradona”, with goals, assists, beautiful plays, leadership and… race.

Maradona died in 2020. It may be mere coincidence, but only after he was gone did Messi triumph, as if it were necessary to wait for the compatriot to leave to get as far as he got.

Between these two football geniuses, the difference on the pitch was the World Cup. Not anymore. In football, Messi is bigger than Maradona.