Pochettino: Maradona is one step up from Messi
Lionel Messi is still to convince Mauricio Pochettino that he is better than Diego Maradona. The Barcelona forward put on another scintillating performance in Wednesday's 3-0 defeat of Bayern Munich in part one of their UEFA Champions League semi-final.
But Pochettino, who, like Messi and Maradona is Argentinian, believes the 1986 FIFA World Cup™ winner remains the greatest.
"For me, it is always Maradona," Pochettino said. "I am sorry Messi. I love Messi, but for me it is always Maradona. I was lucky that I played with Diego Maradona. Maybe Maradona is one step up, because he is my idol.
"I am sorry Messi. I love Messi, but for me it is always Maradona."
Mauricio Pochettino
"Maradona, for my generation, is always a very special player. When I was a child Maradona was like a god.
"It is difficult in your mind to change your view and say Messi is better or Ronaldo is better, but right now Messi is the best in the world."
On who he would pick in his team, Pochettino said: "Now? Messi, because Maradona is fat."
Looking at Wednesday night's performance, the 43-year-old said: "When Messi wanted to, he decided the game."
Roberto running out of words
Roberto Martinez was intrigued by Messi going up against a side led by his former coach Pep Guardiola.
"You are running out of words to describe him," said the Everton manager. "I thought it was probably the most interesting game that we have seen this year.
"It was two very similar ways of playing the game, two similar philosophies, one team probably with the most significant player in world football in Lionel Messi, and the other missing three important players. The performance of Messi has given him the edge of being the best player in world football at the moment."