‘Messi isn’t Argentina’s greatest player’

Lionel Messi isn’t Argentina’s greatest player, according to former AC Milan and Italy manager Arrigo Sacchi. Instead, Sacchi gave the nod to Alfredo Di Stefano and Diego Maradona, believing Messi lacks both the talent and the personality of the illustrious and controversial latter.

Sacchi deemed Maradona ‘unstoppable’ and lauded the influence he had in his playing days, a quality he believes Messi lacks, during an interview with La Nacion.

Maradona and Di Stéfano were the two greatest players. Different, but the greatest. Maradona had more talent. Alfredo was just everywhere [on the pitch] at once, reports Bleacher Report.

Messi is the best in the world today but he lacks the personality of Diego. Maradona could play anywhere. It Italy [during Maradona’s era] they did not play beautiful football. It may be a bit better now but Italian football is very difficult, possession is hard to maintain. Yet, Maradona had the edge in Italy and in Spain. Nobody could stop Maradona.

Sacchi also shunned the idea Messi has been the decisive factor for the stunning run of success Barcelona have enjoyed while their prolific No. 10 has featured: ‘A team has the kind of potency that even Messi alone doesn’t have. Messi has won a lot more and with considerably more ease at Barcelona than with with Argentina. What’s missing? A clearly defined playing style.’

Trying to identify what’s been missing for Messi at the international level, Sacchi pinpointed a possible overreliance on the diminutive talisman: ‘Argentina is always among the favourites but maybe they need more cohesion, more team spirit.’

Frustrations with Argentina led to Messi quitting the international scene this summer, but Sacchi believes Messi owes it to his country to rethink his decision: ‘Leo doesn’t have the enthusiasm for it at the moment but I think he will change his mind because he has a debt with football, with the fans, with Argentina...because of that he has to return.’

Messi’s lack of international honours is always a sticking point when it comes to placing him among the game’s greats, even as the greatest ever. It’s an area where his fiercest contemporary rival, Cristiano Ronaldo, now has the edge, after the Real Madrid star helped Portugal win this summer’s UEFA Euro 2016.

Sacchi may have his doubts about Messi, but when speaking about Ronaldo, he was sure to praise one key characteristic he’s seen in the iconic and free-scoring No. 7:

Cristiano is the epitome of a great professional. He doesn’t have the same talent as Messi but he is an amazing player. Once I went to visit Carlo Ancelotti at Madrid and even before practice had begun Cristiano was there, working out in the dressing room, before the others had arrived. He has a lot of will and a huge appetite.

Declaring Messi as inferior to Ronaldo talent-wise is sure to reignite the most intense debate in modern global football.

Messi may not be able to quiet his doubters, and those fans of Ronaldo, until he takes Sacchi’s advice and returns to inspire Argentina to major trophies.

If he does, he might even change the minds of those who still view Di Stefano and Maradona as the country’s footballing pinnacle.