Lionel Messi is on the verge of winning the World Cup for Argentina, but Gomorrah actor and Napoli fan Salvatore Esposito insists ‘he can never compare to Diego Armando Maradona.’
The title of GOAT – Greatest Of All Time – is bandied about on social media and Messi has been edging closer to his own hero with the performances in Qatar.
However, Napoli fans are up in arms about the suggestion Messi could even surpass their iconic legend Maradona by liftin the World Cup trophy.
“Messi can never compare to Diego Armando Maradona,” Esposito told Radio Marte.
“It could never be made even if Messi should win the World Cup. I don’t just say this as a Napoli fan, but as anyone who actually saw Diego play or was teammates with him.
“After all, Messi has always been protected by big clubs and big coaches, while Diego won with Napoli and an Argentina squad that was much, much worse than the current one.
“How can you try to compare the opponents Diego faced at Napoli on a daily basis, back when Serie A was undoubtedly the best league in the world?
“Don’t get me wrong, I hope Messi wins the trophy, but certain comparisons simply cannot be made.”