FORMER ARGENTINA STAR Hernan Crespo thinks comparing Lionel Messi to Diego Maradona is ridiculous as the latter was indescribably good.
Opinion is split over where Messi ranks among the all-time greats, with some suggesting that the Barcelona forward could have been mentioned as the Napoli legend’s equal had he guided his country to World Cup glory this summer — something he came very close to achieving until Germany triumphed in extra-time in the final.
Crespo, whose Argentina debut came a year after Maradona’s international retirement and whose final cap came when the Barcelona star was still a promising talent, hates judging players from different time periods.
“You cannot compare players from different eras,” the current Parma youth coach told La Gazzetta dello Sport.
“It is unfair. When I was on the pitch myself, I was being marked by Fabio Cannavaro, Alessandro Nesta, Paolo Maldini, Lilian Thuram… See what I mean?
“Some people fall into the trap of wanting at all costs to compare Messi to Maradona. But you’ve got to be joking — Messi is extraordinary, but you cannot describe Maradona’s ability in words.”
Crespo spent 14 out of 19 of his years as a professional footballer playing in Italy and he lamented the way that Serie A has fallen behind in terms of quality compared to La Liga and the Premier League.
“One time, say 10 or 15 years ago, all of the best players came here,” the ex-Parma, AC Milan and Inter striker added.
“Now, however, Cristiano Ronaldo and Messi would not dream of setting foot in Italy.
“We have to change this mentality by growing talents here. Serie A’s aim today is that of exporting, not importing. If we travel along this road, we can get back to the top in four years. I say this as an adopted Italian, not as an Argentine.”
