Messi or Maradona? Five-time Champions League winner with AC Milan names his favorite Argentine player

A Champions League winner and AC Milan icon has weighed in on the eternal debate between Argentina superstars Lionel Messi and Diego Armando Maradona.

Argentina has produced some of the greatest players in soccer history, with Lionel Messi and Diego Armando Maradona standing at the top of the list. Now, an Italian soccer legend who won the UEFA Champions League five times with AC Milan has revealed his pick between the two South American icons.

“I was lucky enough to play against both, Messi and Diego,” said Alessandro Costacurta in a recent interview with Sky Sports. “They’re similar in their genius and the way they express themselves on the field, but Messi is more of a genius than Maradona.”

Costacurta began his professional career in 1987 and was a contemporary of Diego at his peak. The Argentine attacking midfielder was dazzling at Napoli, who won their first Serie A title that same year. The following season, AC Milan took the crown, pushing Maradona’s team into second place.

“We could commit 66 fouls on Diego before getting a yellow card,” Alessandro recalled, referencing a time before VAR, when referees were far more lenient with physical—and sometimes brutal—play. “With Leo it’s different. Soccer today is something else.”

Costacurta recalls his first clash with Messi

Alessandro Costacurta enjoyed a 20-year professional career, which allowed him to face off against multiple generations of talent—including both Maradona and Messi. In the same interview, the former Italian defender shared a vivid memory of his first encounter with Lionel.

“I faced Messi when he was only 16 years old. At first, I saw him as a kid and did whatever I wanted. But after fifteen minutes, I had to ask (coach Carlo) Ancelotti to sub me out,” Costacurta recalled, making it clear that even at a young age, the Argentine forward was a nightmare for defenders.

Who is Alessandro Costacurta?

Italian soccer entered one of its golden eras during the 1980s and early 1990s. During that time, the world’s top players chose Serie A as their destination, allowing Italian fans to witness stars like Diego Maradona, Michel Platini, Zico, and Marco van Basten. It was in this elite environment that Alessandro Costacurta launched his career.

The defender came up through AC Milan’s academy in 1987, though he spent his first professional season on loan at third-division club Monza. After returning to the Italian giants, he remained at Milan until his retirement in 2007. Over two decades, he captured five Champions League titles, seven Serie A championships, and two Intercontinental Cups.

Costacurta also had a notable run with the Italian national team, debuting in 1991 at age 25. He featured in Euro 1996 and played in two World Cups—USA 1994 (where Italy were runners-up) and France 1998, where the team reached the quarterfinals.

From: bolavip.com