AC Milan and Italy legend Paolo Maldini has thanked God for not crossing paths with Lionel Messi, describing the Argentine as magical.
Part of the reason Lionel Messi is regarded as the greatest of all time is the way he makes it look easy when going past defenders.
Even the best defenders did not stand a chance when they come face to face with the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner.
That is why AC Milan legend Paolo Maldini is thanking his lucky stars for not crossing paths with Argentine icon who makes minced meat of his opponents.
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While speaking about two of the most difficult attackers he had faced, Maldini singled out Diego Maradona and Ronaldo Nazario De Lima.
The five-time Champions League winner then compared the uniqueness between Cristiano Ronaldo and Messi.
What Maldini said about Messi
Maldini told Italian news media outlet Tutto Juve:
“He [Maradona] and Ronaldo [Nazario], the Brazilian, are the strongest.
“I did not play against Messi, thank God. CR7 [Cristiano Ronaldo] is a great striker, but he has less magic than the other two.
“I was fast and physically strong, but they [Maradona and Ronaldo] were even faster. Diego [Maradona] was also very nice. When they nominated him in the Hall of Fame, I was ashamed for having given him so many blows, and I apologised.”
The one club man spent 25 years with the Rossoneri and played 126 matches for Italy before calling it quits.
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He won five Champions League, four UEFA Cup and seven Serie A titles during his career that started in 1985.