Argentina legend and World Cup winner makes his stance clear in the Messi-Maradona debate

Mario Alberto Kempes, one of the most iconic players in Argentina’s history, was instrumental in leading his country to its first-ever World Cup title in 1978. As a respected voice in Argentine soccer, Kempes’s opinions carry significant weight, especially when it comes to assessing the legacies of those who have donned the famous Albiceleste jersey, more specifically, the debate between Lionel Messi and Diego Maradona.

In one of his most controversial statements, Kempes delivered a stinging comparison between the two Argentine legends. His comments, made during a 2021 interview with ESPN following Argentina’s Copa America triumph in Brazil, downplayed Messi’s achievements in favor of Maradona‘s legacy.

“If Messi wants to be better than Maradona, he won’t achieve it, even if he wins four World Cups in a row,” Kempes declared bluntly. “He’ll always fall short, just one step below Diego. That’s impossible to change”.

“No matter what Messi wins, he’ll never compare to what Diego accomplished,” he continued. “The Maradona loyalists will never allow Messi to surpass him. Messi will never be better than Maradona. Let’s face it, Messi’s time (to be better than Maradona) has come and gone”.

Diego Maradona gestures to Lionel Messi during to the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa Round of Sixteen match between Argentina and Mexico. (Richard Heathcote/Getty Images)

However, just months after Kempes’s controversial remarks, Messi silenced critics by leading Argentina to World Cup glory in Qatar. With many goals and standout performances throughout the tournament, Messi firmly etched his name into the history books, securing his status as one of the greatest to ever play the game.

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Messi vs. Maradona: The numbers behind the legends

Lionel Messi has played 191 matches for Argentina as of late 2024, scoring 112 goals to become the nation’s all-time leading scorer. His trophy cabinet is nothing short of extraordinary, boasting the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, two Copa América titles (2021 and 2024), the 2022 Finalissima, the 2005 U20 World Cup, and the 2008 Olympic gold medal in Beijing.

In contrast, Diego Maradona played 91 matches for Argentina, scoring 34 goals. His silverware includes three titles with the national team: the 1979 U20 World Cup in Japan, the 1986 World Cup in Mexico, and the 1993 Artemio Franchi Cup.

While both players have achieved historic milestones for Argentina, the debate rages on, fueled by contrasting eras and the incomparable magic each brought to the pitch. For fans, the Messi-Maradona debate is more than statistics—it’s a clash of legends who transcended the sport.