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World Cup 2010: Lionel Messi Insists He Will Never Equal Diego Maradona
The 22-year-old says the Albiceleste can surprise everyone at the finals.
Mar 26, 2010 1:24:00 AM
By Paul Madden
Barcelona and Argentina star Lionel Messi has declared that he will never match up to his hero Diego Maradona and said he has no desire to compare to his national team coach.
Recent exploits for the Blaugrana have seen inevitable comparisons made between the two Number 10's and reopened the debate on why Messi doesn't deliver the same standards for the Albiceleste.
"Even after millions of years pass, I will not be even close to Maradona. And I do not want to approach him. He is the greatest of all time," he is quoted as saying by AS.
"I don't compare myself to Maradona, I want to make my own history for something I have done."
The 22-year-old also noted that it playing for Barca and Argentina is different but he feels that the Albiceleste are in a good position heading into the World Cup in South Africa.
"I've been asked many times and the answer is that is totally different to play for Barcelona then the national team. It doesn't mean that the national team doesn't have good players, they are the best in the world, but we don't have time to work, everything is very fast: two days and a game," he noted.
"When we're all together, in groups, and with time, things can change change things. We all dream of lifting the World Cup in South Africa. There can't be anything more beautiful than that.
"We arrived at the World Cup a good way, quietly, not as favorites. That's good because we can give everyone a big surprise."
Talk all things soccer with the rest of our readers in the Goal.com Forums
Recent exploits for the Blaugrana have seen inevitable comparisons made between the two Number 10's and reopened the debate on why Messi doesn't deliver the same standards for the Albiceleste.
"Even after millions of years pass, I will not be even close to Maradona. And I do not want to approach him. He is the greatest of all time," he is quoted as saying by AS.
"I don't compare myself to Maradona, I want to make my own history for something I have done."
The 22-year-old also noted that it playing for Barca and Argentina is different but he feels that the Albiceleste are in a good position heading into the World Cup in South Africa.
"I've been asked many times and the answer is that is totally different to play for Barcelona then the national team. It doesn't mean that the national team doesn't have good players, they are the best in the world, but we don't have time to work, everything is very fast: two days and a game," he noted.
"When we're all together, in groups, and with time, things can change change things. We all dream of lifting the World Cup in South Africa. There can't be anything more beautiful than that.
"We arrived at the World Cup a good way, quietly, not as favorites. That's good because we can give everyone a big surprise."
Talk all things soccer with the rest of our readers in the Goal.com Forums
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