Mario Kempes makes a clear judgment about Lionel Messi a few days after conquering the Copa América. The former Argentina striker, twice accurate against the Dutch national team in the 1978 World Cup final, believes that despite all his successes over the years, Messi is not at the same level as Diego Maradona. The legend, who died in November last year, guided the Argentines to the world title in 1986. Messi, on the other hand, has never been world champion.
“Messi is unlucky that he is seen as the successor of Maradona,” Kempes said in a conversation with ESPN Mexico. “And with the popularity that Diego still enjoys around the world, it is very difficult for Messi to step out of his shadow. He has also been without an award for a long time with the Argentina team. Winning the Copa América will be a lot. for him and the national team, but not for the national team. He will never be better than Maradona, even if he becomes world champion four times in a row. Messi still has not got that world title,” the Barcelona playmaker said in a statement. clear terms.
Images of Neymar and Messi after Copa América final go viral
The star players had a chat after the final of the Copa América.
Kempes has often been critical of Messi in the past. The former top scorer, among other things, questioned the winning of the star player’s Golden Ball at the 2014 World Cup. “Messi was nowhere near his level at the World Cup. He may have scored four times in the group stage, then has He didn’t show why he was voted the best player,” said the astonished Kempes seven years ago after the Argentines lost 1-0 to Germany in the final.
Messi finally managed to win a prize with the Argentine team on Sunday, after he played with La Albiceleste went down three times in the past in the final of the Copa América. In the final in and against Brazil, Ángel Di María signed for the winning goal for Argentina in the 22nd minute.
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