Comparative analysis : Lionel Messi and Diego Maradona

Role

Lionel Messi and Diego Maradona have very different roles in the team. While Maradona operated as a lone striker also acting as playmaker, Messi is a player who cannot be limited to a fixed position in any team.

Maradona played as centre forward, often dropping deep to acquire possession and drifting wide more often than not, to make his darting inside runs into the box. He was a maverick, and no opposition player could stop him. He was as effective as winger as striker, and scored goals from any position. He was the heart and soul of the team, a trait shared by him and Messi.

Messi has no position in the lineup. He has always had the license to roam free, going wherever he pleases and bamboozling defenders everywhere. He usually starts a game at the right, and drifts further central as the match progresses. When the forward fails to deliver, he starts getting into more goalscoring positions. Otherwise, he is happy to act as a playmaker.