Five football legends who have made their pick between Lionel Messi and Diego Maradona

For around a decade, Barcelona captain Lionel Messi, together with Juventus star Cristiano Ronaldo, has been at the heart of football's most hotly-contested argument.

However, the Argentine talisman is also fighting another battle; this time with compatriot and footballing legend Diego Maradona in the 'greatest Argentine footballer' debate.

At Barcelona, Messi emerged as one of the greatest football players in the game, boasting of 593 goals and 230 assists in 675 appearances for the club so far. The 31-year-old has eight La Liga titles and four Champions League titles to his name, as well as a record five Ballon d'Or awards.

These achievements are, however, continually overlooked by some, who believe the Blaugrana captain needs to win a major international title with Argentina to be considered the best between the two.

Maradona, on the other hand, has four FIFA World Cup titles to his name and is revered by the Argentina faithful for the achievements.

Here we take a look at five legends in the football world who have given their verdict on the longstanding debate:

#1 Sir Alex Ferguson

Manchester United v Swansea City - Premier League

Sir Alex Ferguson, who is known as the most successful manager in English football's history, has applauded Maradona's career but believes that Messi is the better player between the two.

Speaking before a La Liga game between Barcelona and Girona FC in January, the former Manchester United manager told The Times (via Sport English), "Maradona's career at the top of football was only a few years. That said, I would side with Souness, who said that Messi is a better player than Maradona for this reason."

Ferguson won a staggering thirteen Premier League titles and two Champions League trophies during his time at Old Trafford and has faced the wrath of Messi a number of times in Europe.

#2 Pele

Brazilian icon Pele was infamously blunt when asked to pick between the two Argentine superstars.

Speaking to Folha de Sao Paulo, the World Cup winner said, "How can you make a comparison between a guy who heads well, shoots well, with the left and with the right, with another guy who only shoots with one leg, can only one dribble and doesn’t finish the ball well with the head?"

"As far as I’m concerned, Maradona was one of the best players ever. If you ask me, 'Was he better than Messi?' Yes, he was. Much better."

“[Franz] Beckenbauer, [Johan] Cruyff were also excellent players."

#3 Mario Kempes

Last year, Mario Kempes or El Matador, who played a pivotal role in Argentina's 1978 World Cup win, stated that the comparisons surrounding Messi and Maradona were silly as they played in different eras.

However, last month, the World Cup winner pin-pointed a key difference between the two. According to AS, Kempes said, "What's the problem that people have here in Spain with Maradona and Messi? They spend the whole day comparing them."

"Personally, I put both of them of a pedestal during their respective eras. One difference if that while Maradona had no one to rival him during his time, Messi did - first there was Ronaldinho and then there was Cristiano… and in spite of all of that, he continues to be the best, because as it stands today, Messi is the best player in the world."

"VAR would have been a disaster for Maradona with his 'Hand of God'. With which one would I liked to have played alongside? With Messi… because I already played alongside Maradona during the World Cup finals here in Spain."

#4 Zico

Zico, also known as 'the white Pele, believes that Maradona's ability to show up for his country puts him above Barcelona star Messi.

The Kashima Antlers sporting director said (via Goal), "Messi is close to Maradona. I still consider Maradona in front of him."

"Because, I think Maradona played, like in our period, with a player in his back all the time. Maradona has done a lot for his clubs, as Messi does, and for the Argentina national team. Maradona was a world champion."

"Maradona has always stood out in the big competitions, and in a moment where Argentina was not a favorite with so many stars, like today, [when they have] high-level players in the big European teams."

"I think he didn't play in a team like Messi plays in for Barcelona today. He didn't have a [Gerard] Pique, an [Andres] Iniesta, a [Luis] Suarez, a Xavi or a Neymar beside him like Messi has today."

#5 Dani Alves

Juventus v FC Barcelona - UEFA Champions League Final

Messi's former teammate Dani Alves gave a phenomenal rant in response to the comparisons between Messi and Maradona, even questioning how many Ballon d'Or awards the latter has won.

Alves said (via Goal), "I have not seen Maradona so much, so I can not talk about what I did not see. There are people who like it, have to respect it, but I go further. Messi has an incredible, unquestionable gift. How to compare Messi with Maradona? How many Ballons d'Or does Maradona have?"

"With all due respect to Maradona, it would not be a pride for me to say that I won a World Cup making a hand goal. Hand of God does not deceive, Hand of God is a firm end."

"He deceived everyone, he became famous for it. I respect Maradona, but for me, as a sportsman, I would not set that example for young people."