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Article continues belowArticle continues belowArticle continues below<script type="application/json" data-placement="fcplayer-semantic">{"type":"fcplayer-semantic","data":{"embedCode":"//cdn.fcp.codes/embed-code-template/embed-code-template.js#SEMANTIC_5704afb8-c10b-4ba5-9cb4-d7fb6098ef90"}}</script><ul><li>Global icon conquered the world in 1986</li><li>Modern day legend did likewise in 2022</li><li>Both form part of long-running GOAT debate</li></ul>

‘Diego Maradona was a dancer, Lionel Messi is a machine’ – MLS legend & former Argentina international Diego Valeri explains why Inter Miami icon shouldn’t be compared with fellow World Cup winner

Debate regarding <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/lionel-messi-vs-cristiano-ronaldo-ex-barcelona-portugal-star-deco-diplomatic-ideal-world-answer-goat-debate/bltd40c84d158ed2236" target="_blank">who can be considered the greatest player of all-time</a> continues to rage, with the likes of Pele and Cristiano Ronaldo being thrown into that mix. Personal preference must always be taken into account, with there no set criteria that can be used in order to determine a winner.

WHAT HAPPENED?

Messi and Maradona are very much part of the discussion, as <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/watch-messi-lifts-world-cup-trophy-argentina-thrilling-penalty-shootout-france-goat/blt38b30d6ba3692fc1" target="_blank">two World Cup winners that reached the very top of the game</a>, and they will forever be held in the highest regard by those in their homeland. They are two of the most exciting No.10s to have ever played the game and will <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/greatest-ever-lionel-messi-risen-above-diego-maradona-pele-johan-cruyff-barcelona-netherlands-patrick-kluivert/blt1261f0f15c8f55ca" target="_blank">continue to be likened to one another</a>.

THE BIGGER PICTURE

Valeri, who earned three caps for Argentina and has MLS MVP honours to his name, has told Taylor Twellman’s <a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/offside-with-taylor-twellman/id1696346528?i=1000652000152 " target="_blank">Offside</a> podcast of why the man currently <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/lionel-messi-inter-miami-mls-super-bowl-taylor-swift-nfl/blt39d85cdceedca32c" target="_blank">starring in the United States for Inter Miami</a> should not be compared with his illustrious compatriot: “They’re different, it’s a matter of who you like better instead of who is the best. Maradona was like a dancer with the ball, whereas Messi is a machine. The generational difference also makes it hard to compare, but saying that, Messi has sustained a level that nobody has managed, it’s part of being the best. For me, they’re the same level.”

WHAT VALERI SAID ABOUT MESSI & MARADONA

Messi, with eight Ballon d’Or wins to his name, has become <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/44-trophies-lionel-messi-all-time-record-very-good-hands-inter-miami-tata-martino-historic-leagues-cup/blt4c0a84c28d5bf241 " target="_blank">the most decorated player of all-time</a>. He helped Inter Miami to a Leagues Cup triumph last season and is <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/mls-watch-out-inter-miami-lionel-messi-win-everything-2024-crazy-eighth-ballon-d-or/blt8adde7fc64f6ebb3 " target="_blank">back in the hunt for more major honours</a> in 2024 – with club and country as Argentina ready themselves for a Copa America title defence.

WHAT NEXT?

‘Diego Maradona was a dancer, Lionel Messi is a machine’ – MLS legend & former Argentina international Diego Valeri explains why Inter Miami icon shouldn’t be compared with fellow World Cup winner | Goal.com Australia

Diego Maradona “was a dancer” while Lionel Messi is “a machine”, with ex-Argentina international Diego Valeri saying the two should not be compared.

‘Diego Maradona was a dancer, Lionel Messi is a machine’ – MLS legend &amp; former Argentina international Diego Valeri explains why Inter Miami icon shouldn’t be compared with fellow World Cup winner