By Daily Sports on February 25, 2020
Lionel Messi is the "greatest" footballer of all time, ahead of even Diego Maradona, Napoli coach Gennaro Gattuso said on Monday ahead of his side's Champions League clash with Barcelona.
The 32-year-old Messi scored four goals at the weekend in Barcelona's 5-0 win over Eibar and has now been involved in more than 1 000 goals in his career, scoring 696 and assisting another 306.
Gattuso was quick to praise Messi, comparing the Barca star to Napoli legend Maradona.
"He's the greatest and an example for everyone," said Gattuso ahead of the sides' last-16 first leg on Tuesday.
"He never says anything inappropriate. He does things that only exist on the Playstation, unthinkable things.
"But I saw him (Maradona) on VHS, or DVD. I never saw him up close, at a stadium.
"I know the champion he was and I know I missed something wonderful. I regret it. Today I see Messi doing things that Maradona was doing."
Napoli captain Lorenzo Insigne was not so keen to accept that Messi has reached greater heights than 1986 World Cup winner Maradona.
"Messi is the best in the world today," said Insigne. "But for us Neapolitans, Maradona is everything and I don't want to compare them. Maradona is sacred." (SuperSport)
•PHOTO: Gennaro Gattuso
Source Daily Sports
Posted February 25, 2020
You may also like...
Pedro: Conte gave Chelsea 'the belief that we...
Mbappe fails to extend PSG contract after Messi’s...
Osimhen guns for 50th Partenopei goal in 90th...
Ubido relishes Heartland return to top
I can handle Adebayor, says Pardew as Crystal...
Italy Spank Sorry Albania
NOC's Gumel hails Super Eagles' Triumph of Character, Transformation to secure AFCON bronze medal
Significant milestone as Nigeria's Gumel welcomes Oyedeji into IOC
AFCON 2025 Final: CAF Referees' Committee On Trial
Regragui slams referee for poor final officiating
Senegal team returns home, presents AFCON trophy to President
FULL LIST: 10 players who missed crucial penalties on football's biggest stages
‘We witnessed unacceptable, ugly scenes’ - FIFA slams Senegal, praises Morocco over AFCON 2025 final
_1.jpeg)
What Super Eagles And Others Received From 2025 AFCON Prize Pool
Calvin Bassey, Nwabali selected for 2025 AFCON Best XI
Super Eagles enjoy big jump in FIFA Ranking after 2025 AFCON run
Ogbu hails current Eagles as Nigeria’s greatest
Ahmedu backs Oyedeji to steady Nigerian basketball
Most Read
Rangers International going, going . . . (63,485 views)
Amaju Pinnick: A cat with nine lives (54,778 views)
Second Term: Amaju Pinnick, Other NFF Heavyweights Home to Roost •How Pinnick Broke the Jinx (52,675 views)
Current issues in Nigerian sports: Matters arising (52,340 views)
Sports Development: Zenith Bank on the zenith (52,267 views)
Missing $150,000 IAAF Grant: Solomon Dalung’s Hide and Seek game (52,181 views)
Gov. Abdullahi Ganduje’s solid footprints, commitment to sports development in Kano State (52,044 views)
NFF Presidency: Pinnick, Maigari, Ogunjobi, Okoye in Battle for Supremacy (51,600 views)
Olopade, BET9A wave of revolution in NNL (50,777 views)
Commonwealth Games 2018: Shame of Muhammadu Buhari, Solomon Dalung (49,305 views)
Ibrahimovic’s Man U exit: Whose decision is it? And in whose interest? (47,697 views)
John Mikel Obi: Segun Odegbami’s Outrageous Call! (47,165 views)