Barcelona defender Gerard Pique says Napoli can cause them problems “if we go on to the pitch with the wrong mentality,” and that he would pick Lionel Messi over Diego Maradona.
The Catalan outfit are in Naples for the first leg of their Champions League encounter, and Pique is aware of the threat Napoli pose.
“We have to fear many things from Napoli, they didn’t start the season well, but they have continued to improve in the last few weeks,” said Pique in his pre-game press conference.
“They have very good players like Dries Mertens, Lorenzo Insigne and Arkadiusz Milik. They can give us problems if we go on to the pitch with the wrong mentality.
“We will try to play our game, and it will be important to score.”
Barcelona have never faced Napoli in the Champions League era, and so playing in the Stadio San Paolo is new terrain for Pique.
“It’s our first time, it’s always a new experience, lately Napoli have improved, they beat Juventus and in the group stage they beat Liverpool.”
Pique was then asked about Messi coming to play in Diego Maradona’s backyard.
“Everything has already been said about Maradona, he is a unique player who has given a lot to the sport. He went to Barcelona and also to Napoli.
“He will be remembered forever. If, however, you ask me for a comparison between Maradona and Leo, I choose the consistency of Messi, considering his magic for so many years.
“I haven’t talked to Leo about playing in the San Paolo. He will surely be happy to play in a new stadium for him and for his history.
“The most important thing however, is to leave here with a good result.”
Theman21
2921
“Messi is maradona everyday even maradona wasn’t maradona everyday.”
SteevReji
301
Messi has EASILY had the better career. Easily. Like it isn’t even close. But Maradona has the moment that probably no Argentinian Player will ever top. Maradona and Messi are both magical, Messi’s magic has been applied constantly to give him one of the absolute greatest careers of all time in terms of goals, assists and all that jazz. Maradona’s magic was used far less effectively in club football than Messi’s still fantastic but never a 50 goal a season player like Messi. But Maradona will always be remembered because the one time it really, truly mattered, he was absolutely majestic. Messi has arguably the greatest career of all time. Maradona has in my mind at least, undeniably the greatest individual performance of all time. And honestly, people remember magic moments more. Maradona has no right to be compared to Pele, EXCEPT for hat absolutely mercurial World Cup. That is what makes Maradona one of the all time greats. Not consistency of brilliance, but then greatest individual display of all time. Never has 1 man carried a team to glory on ten biggest stage as much as Maradona did Argentina. This obviously doesn’t settle the debate but I see the argument for both sides I guess is what I’m saying.
animac
295
Both had magic but I choose Messi due to his consistency, longetivity and hard work. Maradona was magical for 5-6 years, but Messi has been Maradona and even better for 12+ years. I don't think anyone else had such longetivity besides cr7
SINGAM23
8
rather than thinking with wrong Mentality.... Think that Barca have Mentalist Messi 😁✔️