Lionel Messi led Argentina to the peak of glory in the recently concluded Copa America, scoring four goals and registering five assists in six games.
The continental competition was essentially a Messi show, as the 34-year-old played to his full potential in helping Argentina defeat Brazil 1-0 in the final. As a result, La Albiceleste’s 28-year drought of major trophies came to an end. Messi also set a new team record for international appearances with 151 matches.
Messi’s silverware with Argentina before the Copa final victory against Brazil was the U-20 World Cup (2005) and a gold medal at the Beijing Olympics in 2008.
Despite his best efforts, a former Argentine legend is unconvinced that his countryman can be considered the greatest of all time, eclipsing the late Diego Maradona. Lionel Messi cannot be compared to Diego Maradona, according to Mario Kempes, a major player in Argentina’s 1978 World Cup victory.
“For Messi, the misfortune is that he was the replacement for Diego Maradona,” Kempes told ESPN Mexico, per Marca.
“And it is very difficult to overshadow Diego, with the idolatry that he has received around the world. If [Messi] wants to be better than Maradona, he is not going to achieve it even if he wins four World Cups in a row.”
“He still hasn’t won the World Cup. No matter how many [titles he] wins or what he wins, it can never be compared to what Diego did.” he further said.
