Maradonna:"Messi Will Take My Place In Football"

[Milad-69]

The fame of the Lionel Messi goal has reached Diego Maradona, the legend himself putting the debate to bed, declaring he has no doubts that the teenager will take his place in football.



"I am very satisfied with the fabulous goal of Lionel," began Maradona.

"I already know the name of the player who will take my place in Argentine football: that name is Lionel Messi," he continued.

"He is talent in its purest state.

"Lionel was born to be a footballer. He should note that.

"Only those who have started out on the streets can keep the ball stuck to his foot like that.

"The valour, the self-confidence, and the ambition is all innate in him.

"We are presented with a boy who will make history in our sport.

"Lionel, I am your biggest fan, and I hope that good health accompanies you, and allows us to continue admiring your football."

Source: http://www.goal.com/en/articolo.aspx?contenutoid=284551

[Rahmani]

Nice to hear from one of the best footballers ever

[PersianMadrid7]

no doubt about it.

he symbolizes the new generation of legends already.

[Suprah]

I just hope such promise and fame so early on in his career doesnt make him go astray like Maradona's personal life became. All players of outrageous talent like Garrincha, George Best, as well as Diego Maradona made a muck of their personal lives because of all the fame they achieved so early on in their careers. I hope players like Messi avoid that path. He is a gifted lad, but he needs to use a cool head. Hopefully the Barca management take good care of him as he grows older.

[khabalood]

He said similar things about Rooney last year.

[doober]

messi is the best!!!!! i have high hopes for him.

[vahid is back]

He just jinxed him.

How many next Maradona's have there been? I bet as much as next Michael Jordans...

[Demis-11]

as long as he keeps off the columbian white hell be his successor lol..

[ncorral]

[IRAN_TILL_I_DIE]

i fought Karimi was ment to tke Maradonas place

[yashar_fasihnia]

he said the same about ariel ortega as well..

although messi looks the closest "next maradona"...SO FAR...

[Amin_]

He also said this about Aimar, calling him the one of the greatest talents ever.

Noone can replace Maradona, he knows it himself, like we all do. There will never be a footballer who single handly can make a midtable team become champions in one of the best leagues in the world (like Maradona did to Napoli in Italy).

Maradona single handly brought Argentina to the WC title. He's the greatest footballer that ever existed and will exist.

[Suprah]

I am assuming and hoping that Messi will make his own destiny rather than purely having a career made of being compared to Diego Armando Maradona.

.
Noone can replace Maradona, he knows it himself, like we all do. There will never be a footballer who single handly can make a midtable team become champions in one of the best leagues in the world (like Maradona did to Napoli in Italy).
Maradona single handly brought Argentina to the WC title. He's the greatest footballer that ever existed and will exist.

[milad]

He also said this about Aimar, calling him the one of the greatest talents ever.
Noone can replace Maradona, he knows it himself, like we all do. There will never be a footballer who single handly can make a midtable team become champions in one of the best leagues in the world (like Maradona did to Napoli in Italy).
Maradona single handly brought Argentina to the WC title. He's the greatest footballer that ever existed and will exist.

i dunno man... pele won 3 world cups, scored 77 goals in 92 games for brazil, scored 470 goals in 412 games with santos in brazil league, 10 league titles,

maradona won 1 world cup, scored 34 in 92 games, 3 league titles, and took a mid table team to the top.

[Suprah]

i dunno man... pele won 3 world cups, scored 77 goals in 92 games for brazil, scored 470 goals in 412 games with santos in brazil league, 10 league titles,
maradona won 1 world cup, scored 34 in 92 games, 3 league titles, and took a mid table team to the top.

Well statistics dont always tell the real story. Pele wasnt the only reason Brazil won those 3 world cups...rather it was a total team effort in 1970 and 1958 with 1962 win solely belonging to Garrincha as Pele was injured almost the entire tournament in Chile.

What Garrincha did in 1962, Maradona did in 1986 virtually on his own as a captain, as the key goal scorer and playmaker.

Again, different players of different eras so its harsh comparing both at the same time.