Argentina boss Lionel Scaloni says he’d take Lionel Messi OVER Diego Maradona
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‘He’s the greatest of all time!’: Argentina manager Lionel Scaloni says he would prefer Lionel Messi OVER Diego Maradona as he has something ‘special’ with him after winning the World Cup… and training him is easy because ‘technically, you can’t correct him’
- Diego Maradona is considered an icon and one of the best players in history.
- But Diego Scaloni said he would prefer Lionel Messi over the former Argentine star
- The pair combined to win Argentina’s first World Cup since Maradona lifted it.
Argentina manager Lionel Scaloni has stated that he would choose Lionel Messi over Diego Maradona after winning the World Cup with the former, citing his “special” bond with the PSG star.
Messi ended a 36-year World Cup drought for his country when he scored twice in the final against France, and was awarded the tournament’s Ballon d’Or as he helped drag Argentina to glory.
And despite Maradona’s legendary status in his native country, it is Messi who would now be considered by many to be the greatest product in the country’s history, including his coach Scaloni.
Lionel Messi and Lionel Scaloni helped Argentina win their first World Cup since 1986 in Qatar
Diego Maradona led Argentina to glory in 1986 beating West Germany 3-2 in the final
‘If I have to choose one [of Messi and Maradona]I’m taking Leo, I have something special with him’, Scaloni told ‘El Partidazo’ on Cadena COPE.
“He is the best of all time, although Maradona was also fantastic.”
The 44-year-old also described the ease of coaching Argentina’s talisman, who finished with seven goals and three assists in Qatar, as there is apparently little you can teach the diminutive star.
Messi holds the World Cup trophy alongside Scaloni as the team arrives in Buenos Aires
“Training Messi is not difficult. You can’t technically correct him, but you can in certain pressure-related situations or you can explain a method of attack to him.
“In terms of pressure, winning the ball and when it’s hot, he’s number one.”
Messi returned to the pitch last week for PSG for the first time since the World Cup, scoring for his side in a 2-0 win against Angers as they restarted their solid domestic campaign.
Still, while Messi and his Argentina teammates are back with their clubs, Scaloni won’t soon forget what they accomplished in Qatar.
Messi scored two goals in the final, and seven in total in Qatar, as Argentina beat France.
“The World Cup was an incredible movie and journey,” he said.
“The key to the whole tournament was having enjoyed it, knowing how difficult it was and that any team could win it.”
Messi’s PSG will face a Saudi league All-Star led by Cristiano Ronaldo on Thursday.