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

#4 Zico

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."