Ian Wright cannot accept the idea that Lionel Messi winning a second World Cup would allow him to eclipse Diego Maradona.
Both Messi and Maradona receive god-like reverence from Argentina for what they’ve been able to achieve for their country.
But would a second World Cup win with the Albiceleste secure Messi as the greatest Argentine of all time? Not according to Ian Wright.
Ian Wright says Lionel Messi cannot surpass Diego Maradona with second World Cup win
Speaking on the Stick to Football podcast, Ian Wright responded to Gary Neville’s asking whether a second World Cup win would help Lionel Messi surpass Diego Maradona as the greatest Argentine of all time.
Wright suggested that a second win would settle the debate between Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo. But too many people revere Maradona in a way they will never revere Messi.
“Are we basing it on how much he won or on calibre? He (Maradona) is a flawed genius… He (his coach) loved Diego, but he didn’t like Maradona.
“I think if he wins it, it settles the Ronaldo vs. Messi debate. Not Maradona vs. Messi. I’m sure there are Argentinians that won’t have Messi over Maradona.”
It’s hard to see where Wright is coming from on a second win settling the Messi vs. Ronaldo debate, given that many believe that debate was settled with the former’s first World Cup win.
Lionel Messi could become the most accomplished Argentinian in World Cup history
As things stand, there is only one Argentinian player who played a part in their first two World Cup wins -Daniel Passarella.
Diego Maradona missed out on the 1978 World Cup squad because he was just 17 years old at the time. While Mario Kempes didn’t feature in the 1986 World Cup.
But with a second FIFA World Cup win, Messi could eclipse Passarella as the most accomplished Argentine player in the tournament’s history, having won two titles and reaching three finals.
Messi has matched Kempes and Maradona with his 2022 World Cup win, and would eclipse them in terms of achievements with another win this year.
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