Ramos Picks Messi Over Maradona

Spanish National Team captain, Sergio Ramos has made an unlikely declaration of admiration for Lionel Messi, choosing his Argentina’s counterpart over fellow countryman, Diego Maradona as the best player ever

As FC Barcelona’s creative personage, Messi is Ramos’s traditional adversary given the competitiveness with arch-rivals, Real Madrid.

Ramos was speaking against the backdrop of a jibe by Maradona, Argentina’s 1986 World Cup-winning skipper earlier this week.

“Ramos is no superstar, the real superstar defender is Diego Godin”, Maradona had remarked when comparing Spain’s serial-winner Ramos with the Uruguay captain.

Ramos was asked what he made of Maradona’s comments after Spain’s 1-0 World Cup Group B win over Iran, and chose to praise Messi, who has led Barcelona to numerous wins over Real Madrid.

“I respect Maradona because he is an all-time great; I think he was a star.

“But I’ll also tell you that Argentine football knows Maradona is light years behind their number one player, which is Messi,” Ramos said.

Messi, who lost the last World Cup final to Germany as captain of Argentina, missed a penalty in his side’s 1-1 draw with Iceland.

He is under pressure to propel his side to victory as they take on Group D leaders, Croatia on Thursday.