Lionel Messi or Diego Maradona? Coach Lionel Scaloni chooses between Argentina’s two legends
The debate over who is the greatest Argentine soccer player of all time—Lionel Messi or Diego Maradona—has long been one of the most passionate discussions in the country. Generations of fans have weighed in, with differing views shaped by personal memories, cultural significance, and career statistics. Now, Argentina’s current head coach Lionel Scaloni has shared his own perspective on the matter.
While Messi holds the edge in goals, assists, and trophies at both the club and international level, critics often pointed to his lack of success with the national team as the deciding factor. However, with back-to-back Copa America titles in 2021 and 2024, followed by a World Cup triumph in 2022, Messi has silenced many doubters and strengthened his case as the greatest of all time.
Maradona, meanwhile, remains an icon not just for his performances on the pitch, but for the deep cultural impact he left on Argentina. Known for his raw talent and unmatched charisma, he continues to hold a special place in the hearts of many. Even so, when asked by Spanish journalist Siro López to weigh in, Scaloni didn’t hesitate. “I’ll go with Leo,” he said.
“I choose Leo because I see him and I know what he is,” the coach added. “That said, it’s pointless to compare them—we should just enjoy them. I’m convinced both of them could’ve played in the 70s, 80s, 90s, and now, because when someone is good, they’re just good,” Scaloni stated.
Scaloni went on to reflect on their differences: “Not everyone is the same. Football-wise, they’re both geniuses. In terms of personality, they’re different. But in their own way, they’re both leaders. Leo shows it differently. I can give you plenty of examples: in the 2021 Copa América, against Colombia, when he had a muscle issue, he came into the locker room, got massaged by the physio, and went out to play as if nothing was wrong.”
Interestingly, Scaloni had the rare opportunity to share a locker room with both players. He was a teammate of Maradona at Newell’s Old Boys and played alongside Messi in the Argentina national team in 2006. Drawing on those experiences, the coach ultimately sided with the star from Rosario.
Scaloni on what it’s like to coach Messi
After coaching Argentina’s U-20 squad, Scaloni was surprisingly named head coach of the senior national team in 2018—his first major role. Despite skepticism at the time, he went on to accomplish what many experienced coaches could not: guiding Messi to international glory.
When asked about what’s like to coach Messi, Scaloni was clear: “It’s easy with winners. When you have players who’ve been competing since they were five years old and all they know is how to win, it’s easy. Winning is in his DNA. He doesn’t like to lose—not even in training—and that’s fundamental.”
“When you give him an instruction, he always understands it clearly,” Scaloni added regarding Messi’s involvement in the team’s tactical system. “The idea is to treat him like one of the team, knowing that he isn’t just one of the team. He’s your ace up the sleeve,” he concluded.