Diego Maradona Inspired Me - Lionel Messi

Argentine legend Diego Maradona is the inspiration behind Messi' astonishing football career. Messi revealed that he looked up to Maradona to start his career in football.

Barcelona star Lionel Messi has credited Diego Maradona with being his biggest influence starting a career in football.

The Blaugrana ace has constantly been compared to his compatriot in terms of playing style, with the duo both also having represented Barca and captained Argentina.

Hand Of God: Maradona Re-Unites With England vs Argentina Referee

Now aged 72, former Tunisian referee Ali Bennaceur made one of the most infamous mistakes in World Cup history, allowing Diego Maradona’s famous ‘Hand of God’ goal to stand against England.

He never officiated a FIFA World Cup match again after 1986 tournament but has an “eternal friend” in legendary Argentine footballer Diego Maradona.

The former Napoli forward posted on Facebook about meeting the referee of the famous quarter-final, which still infuriates England fans today.

Messi Is Like Stefano, Pele & Maradona - Fabio Capello

Fabio Capello says Lionel Messi has defined an era and believes the Barcelona ace is on a par with Alfredo Di Stefano, Pele and Diego Maradona.

The Italian got his first glimpse of the Argentine back in August 2005 when he took his then Juventus side to Camp Nou for the Joan Gamper Trophy.

Capello was so taken with Messi's talent that he tried to sign him on the spot, so convinced was he that the diminutive forward was destined for greatness.

Diego Maradona Set To Fight FIFA Mafia

Argentine football great Diego Maradona said on Wednesday he wants to fight the "mafia" responsible for the corruption scandal that has rocked FIFA, but he stopped short of saying he wants to be the next president of global soccer's governing body.

"I have to fight the mafia that still remains inside FIFA. I have to fight those who have for a long time stolen from inside FIFA," Maradona told local television channel America.

Asked whether he would run for the FIFA presidency, the 54-year old replied ambiguously: "I really want to be in FIFA."

I Would Win The Ballon d'Or Three Times If Am Playing Now - Rivaldo

Hot, good, superb, great... words can't describe Rivaldo in his active days as a footballer, he had a good career with Barca and won the World Cup with Brazil. For people that watched him play he played like a great player. Rivaldo has said if he is till playing now he will win three Ballon d'Or..

Considering the level of Ronaldo & Messi we can argue that he didn't play up to that level. A few footballers got to that point, the likes of  Pele, Maradona, Ronaldo, Zidane....

Rivaldo has claimed he would win the Ballon d'Or three times if he was at his peak in the current era.
The Brazil great was crowned the world's best player in 1999, but Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo have since won the award seven times between them in as many years.

GOLD CUP: Maradona Calls For Replay Of Mexico - Panama Match

Argentina football legend Diego Maradona has demanded CONCACAF replay the Gold Cup semi-final between Mexico and Panama after there has been various complain over poor officiating of the match.

Diego Maradona posted his support for the Panama players, and his clear disdain for all things Mexican football, after Thursday's CONCACAF Gold Cup controversy.

Mexico overcame Panama 2-1 after extra time, not before a shocking penalty call by American referee Mark Geiger that allowed Miguel Herrera's side to equalise deep into second-half injury time in regulation.
Maradona, owner of the famous 'Hand of God' moment in the 1986 World Cup, called for the semi-final to be replayed and for Geiger to lose his job following the controversy.

Messi' Display For Argentina Not Good Enough - Maradona

The 28-year-old scored just one goal in this summer's Copa America as the Albiceleste finished as runners-up in a major competition for the second time in 12 months.

Maradona, who led his country to victory at the 1986 World Cup, feels Messi's displays for the national team are not good enough but also took a swipe at his critics.

"We have the best player in the world and he scores four goals against Real Sociedad but comes here and doesn't touch the ball," he said in Ole.

ARGENTINA: Maradona = Messi + Mascherano

Argentina is gripped by a debate over superstar Lionel Messi, who was devastated by losing the Copa America final and has withdrawn into a shocked isolation. Some obervers in his home country say criticism fired at Messi could force him to take a break from national duty.

The 28-year-old football genius left the pitch ashen-faced after Argentina lost the Copa America to Chile in a 4-1 penalty shootout in Santiago on Saturday.

The scenes were reminiscent of last year's World Cup final when Germany beat Argentina in extra time. Then 'Leo' left in tears. Messi first tasted a major defeat in 2007 when Argentina lost 3-0 to old rivals Brazil in the Copa final.

Messi And Cristiano Are On The Same Level - Diego Maradona

Who is better - Lionel Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo? Diego Maradona believes it is too close to call and they are at the same level. Diego Maradona reckons any debate over whether Lionel Messi is better than Cristiano Ronaldo or vice versa is flawed as the duo are equally matched.

The best two players in world football have again showcased their talismanic qualities this season, Messi netting 53 goals in all competitions for Barcelona and Ronaldo scoring one more for Real Madrid.

Messi Is Like Diego Maradona - Sacchi

Arrigo Sacchi says Lionel Messi just like Diego Maradona after watching the Barcelona star's masterclass in the Champions League win over Bayern Munich. The 27-year-old scored twice in his side's 3-0 win in the first leg of their semi-final tie at Camp Nou on Wednesday, before creating Neymar's goal that effectively decided the tie.

"Messi has overcome a difficult period and has found back his extraordinary form," Sacchi was quoted as saying by La Gazzetta dello Sport.

MARADONA: Matuidi's Foul On Onazi Worse Than Suarez's Bite

Argentina legend, Diego Maradona, has described as "criminal" Blaise Matuidi's tackle challenge on Nigerian midfielder, Ogenyi Onazi in Monday's round of 16 clash at the Fifa World Cup between France and Nigeria in Brasilia.

Maradona, working a pundit for the World Cup with Venezuelan television, Telesur TV, hit out at the American referee, Mark Geiger, for not considering Matuidi's "tackle as a criminal act."

He went on to state that the Frenchman's challenge on Onazi is worse than Luis Suarez's bite on Italian defender, Giorgio Chiellini.

WORLD CUP: James Rodriguez In The Class Of Diego Maradona

Colombia forward James Rodriguez is in the class of Diego Maradona, Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez, according to Uruguay boss Oscar Tabarez.

Rodriguez, 22, opened the scoring with a brilliant volley before adding a second to beat Uruguay and set up a quarter-final with hosts Brazil.

Colombia coach Jose Pekerman added: "I never had any doubts that this was going to be his World Cup."
"From what I have seen, he is the best player in the World Cup," said Tabarez.
"I am not exaggerating, he is a great striker."

WORLD CUP 2014: Brazil Can't Over Rely On Neymar Says Diego Maradona

Diego Maradona has warned Brazil that any overreliance on Neymar could prove costly at the World Cup.
The Barcelona star has scored four goals so far in the tournament as he lit up the group stages on home soil, ensuring the Selecao claimed top spot in Group A to book a last-16 clash with Chile.

The 1986 World Cup winner feels that Brazil have been unconvincing on the whole so far and must not come to depend on Neymar if they are to keep their hopes of a sixth global title alive.

"Brazil have mounted many moves, scored seven goals and Neymar has got four of them," he wrote in the Times of India.

WORLD CUP: Messi's Goal Against Iran Was "Divine Intervention" Says Diego Maradona

Argentina legend Diego Maradona has described Lionel Messi’s match-winning strike against Iran as "divine intervention", echoing his sentiment towards his own Hand of God goal scored 28 years ago in the World Cup.

The Barcelona maestro unleashed a superb curling effort past Iran goalkeeper Alireza Haghighi in the 91st minute to snatch victory for Argentina - a game Alejandro Sabella’s men had struggled to impose themselves on.

The victory against Carlos Queiroz’s side in Belo Horizonte ensured that Argentina qualified for the knockout round of the World Cup after their earlier win against Bosnia and Herzegovina in their opening match of the tournament.

WORLD CUP: Diego Maradona Hails "Refreshing" Costa Rica

Diego Maradona says he has been impressed by Costa Rica's attacking style, praising the fact that they could beat Italy and Uruguay with flair.

The Central American nation have qualified for the last-16 of a World Cup finals for just the second time in their history after shock 3-1 and 1-0 wins over la Celetse and the Azzurri respectively.

However, what has particularly struck Maradona is that Jorge Luis Pinto's side have refused to play "boring" football and have succeeded in taking on some of the established nations without solely being defensive.

WORLD CUP: Maradona Scared Of FIFA Ban From Nigeria Encounter With Argentina

Argentina’s greatest footballer of all-time, Diego Maradona, has expressed concern that he may be denied access to watch his country’s game against African champions Nigeria at the World Cup in Brazil.

The Super Eagles and La Albicleste will go head-to-head on June 25 at Estádio José Pinheiro Borba, Porto Alegre and Maradona is worried he may be denied access into the stadium.

This was after he declared that he was prevented from watching his country’s opening World Cup game against Bosnia-Herzegovina on June 15 at the Maracana.

UNBELIEVABLE!!! Diego Maradona Was Denied Entry Into Maracana Stadium

Diego Maradona has condemned the fact that he was denied entry to the world-famous Maracanã stadium to witness the Argentina-Bosnia match which his country ended up winning 2-1 albeit with a far-from-convincing performance.

"They wouldn't let me in anywhere. It's one thing not being able to go and it's another not being allowed to. When there's good will, they let you in. When there's bad will, you might as well forget about it and go straight back to the hotel, as we did," Maradona told TyC Sports channel.

The former World Cup winner claimed that he had a press pass thanks to his work on the programme 'De zurda', which is broadcast on Telesur and public television in Argentina.

WORLD CUP: Maradona Justifies Mourinho After Casillas' Awful Performance Against Netherlands

On punditry duty for Venezuelan TV during the World Cup – a link established through his friendship with late President Hugo Chavez – Diego Maradona was scathing in his assessment of Iker Casillas’ performance in Spain’s 1-5 capitulation against Holland.

Casillas – who has admitted it was the worst performance of his entire career – was at fault for at least 2 of the goals, and Maradona had no mercy with the man known as San Iker in Spain.

Maradona and Mourinho share an unlikely friendship (romantic v pragmatist), and Maradona used Casillas’ nightmare game to vindicate his mate in dropping Casillas while manager of Real Madrid.

Neymar To Young To Dominate World Cup Says Diego Maradona

Diego Maradona says Brazil star Neymar is "too young" to dominate a World Cup on his own, but has applauded his boundless potential. The 22-year-old won the Golden Ball award for best player at the 2013 Confederations Cup after inspiring the Selecao to a 3-0 victory over Spain in the final.

Twelve months on and Neymar will again be expected to shoulder Brazil's attacking burden and lead them to a sixth World Cup success.

But, with just one season under his belt in Europe following his move to Barcelona last summer, Maradona believes the tournament has come too soon for the former Santos starlet to make such a big impact.
"Neymar is an exciting youngster with exceptional talent," the Argentina great told the Times of India.

Diego Maradona Now An Official Fan Of Manchester United

Diego Maradona has become a Manchester United fan. The super Argentine legend opted for the club recently and is now an official club fan. This news will surely gear up all Manchester United fans who are aware that he never played for United.

The Daily Mail says Maradona has become an official member of the Kuwaiti Manchester United Supporters Club. This is really a morale boost for the club and fans worldwide at this low time of the club.

The World Cup winner was handed a red box with the Manchester United crest on it and appeared only too happy to receive his gift.