Past vs Present: Diego Maradona vs Lionel Messi - Who is Argentina’s greatest No.10?

Argentina’s two greatest heroesery few players in the history of world football are universally accepted as genuine icons of a generation, and even fewer still are heralded in the echelons of the sport’s all-time elite.Naturally then, when these special talents do come along, it’s impossible for human curiosity to resist speculating on where they stand amongst the game’s other time-tested heroes.One of the more commonly eulogised cases pits the imperial Lionel Messi against Argentina’s 1986 hero Diego Maradona.Both Albiceleste skippers have been regularly heralded as the game’s greatest ever talent, but who is Argentina’s best ever No.10?Here are our thoughts on the eternal debate:

#1 Goals

Its the most important part of football and therefore becomes the easiest starting place for this debate. Whilst El Diegos record is great, it doesnt even come close to the mind-blowing returns posted by his younger compatriot.

There are arguments over Maradonas exact statistics, but it is accepted that he scored roughly 311 goals in just under 600 appearances. Whilst that return does place him amongst the upper echelons of footballs greatest ever marksman, it is miles shy of Messis groundbreaking accomplishments.

The Barcelona and Argentina star has played 555 matches for club and country, notching an astounding 436 strikes in that time. Its a phenomenal rate, which is made all the more impressive when if you discard his teenage years as an upcoming talent.

Messis incredible goalscoring abilities are best underlined by his exploits in 2012, which saw him net a world record 91 goals in a single calendar year.

The power balance is reflected by their international records too, with Messi scoring 45 in 97 compared to Maradonas 34 from 91.

Both players will eternally be remembered as two of the most prolific marksmen to ever grace the beautiful game. When it comes to cold hard facts, though, the stats never lie. Messi is king.