Lionel
Messi will never be able to match Diego Maradona as the greatest ever
footballer as he lacks the World Cup winner's charisma, according to
fellow Argentina great Gabriel Batistuta.
There
has long been a debate over whether Messi has surpassed Maradona's
status as arguably the best of all time, with the Barcelona man's lack
of success at international level often seen to count against him.
But
Batistuta - Argentina's record goalscorer prior to Messi - believes
there is more to it than that, lauding Maradona for his personality as
much as his skill.
"For me, [Maradona] was the greatest of all," Batistuta told Corriere dello Sport.
"Diego
also represents Argentina in many things, not just football. He was the
first player that took us to the stars, winning the World Cup. He has
charisma, he had a rare talent and imagination.
"Messi, even if technically he is the same or perhaps superior, cannot match him. Lionel lacks Maradona's charisma.
"Diego
could command a stadium, have everyone watch him. I played with him and
I can tell you how technically decisive he was for the team. I saw what
happens in life when you are next to Diego.
"Although
I do not agree with many things that he does - his lifestyle choices
are not mine, I'm almost the opposite - we both have a good relationship
and, for me, he is and will remain the greatest."