The World Champion in Mexico 86 talked about how he sees the young player, as well as the difference between Ronaldo and Messi, whom he hopes to see in one more World Cup
Valdano considera que Messi está un esclaón arriba que CR7
Although he deeply praised the current Argentine captain, he avoided placing him above the historic number 10: "Messi is a genius, we've been trying for 20 years to detect Leo's creative pattern, to see how we can try to stop him. We couldn't stop the first Messi who was a projectile, nor the second who managed with stop and start, nor the current one who plays in slow motion, walking, and can't be deactivated because he's a genius. I put him at the same level as Maradona, I'll never say he's more than Maradona but I'll never say he's less than Maradona".
During an interview with Rodrigo Rea, Jorge Valdano referred to the current absence of Argentine players at Real Madrid and the rumors linking Franco Mastantuonowith the club. He also talked about Lionel Messi, his comparison with Ronaldo and Maradona, and his future in the Argentina National Team.
"I think it's due to market opportunities, sometimes it's even casual. At some point, they didn't materialize. Gago had physical difficulties but was an important player, Higuain was at one point a very decisive player in Madrid, there was a moment when it seemed like any Argentine passing through Madrid played for Real, personally I'm hoping one comes," said the former Merengue player.
Regarding the native of Azul, he commented: "I don't know if the interest the media talks about is real, but he's a player with superior quality, Real Madrid needs midfielders, among other things, Argentina along with Spain has the best midfielders in the world at the moment so there might be a focus of attention".
Para Valdano, Mastantuono tiene una calidad superior
Valdano opined on the eternal comparison: Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo?
When asked about this classic discussion, Valdano replied: "If genius is born, we talk about Maradona and Messi, if genius is made, we talk about Cristiano Ronaldo, he has a lot of merit, he even made a new body for himself. The genius that is born (Maradona and Messi) has a different flavor to everything they create. Diego and Leo occupy a place alongside Pelé, Di Stefano, Cruyff, and the others are a second tier".
Para Valdano Messi está al mismo nivel que Maradona
On the present of the Argentina National Team and Messi's dream in 2026
Valdano also praised the performance of the team led by Lionel Scaloni. "The Argentina national team excites, it's very competitive, reliable, committed, and feels identified with the coach. They are very united morally. It's a team that dominates the midfield, it has a great midfield, against Brazil it made the difference in the midfield, there it kills you", he commented.
Regarding the possibility of seeing Lionel Messi in the next World Cup, he expressed: "Apparently there's no Messi dependency although his already mythical figure can be relevant during the World Cup, maybe not playing 90 minutes every game but to make a difference. I trust in seeing him in one more World Cup".
