Diego Maradona has waded into the world's best footballer debate by claiming Cristiano Ronaldo will never be as good as Lionel Messi.
In an interview with the TVR programme on Argentina’s Canal 9 channel, Maradona pulled no punches in his assessment of the pair.
“Cristiano will never reach Messi’s heights,” declared the former Barcelona player, who has just been sacked as boss of United Arab Emirates outfit Al Wasl.
“When Messi scores a goal we all celebrate while he celebrates with the team, but when Ronaldo scores he sells shampoo,” Maradona said, in reference to an advertisement the Real Madrid star did when he promoted a hair product.
“Cristiano has a more powerful shot but Messi does not need that because he does everything with the ball and more.
“Comparisons between the two are horrible, but comparisons between Messi and me are beautiful.
“We are left-footers, Argentinean, and both brilliant. I would never say anything bad in reference to Messi,” he added.