Diego Armando Mardona spoke once again about Lionel Messi and the footballing comparison between the two legends of the game.

Maradona on Messi

In the wake of the Champions League first leg between Napoli and Barcelona on Tuesday night, which ended 1-1, the current manager of Gimnasia y Esgrima de la Plata gymnastics was blunt when asked if Messi could surpass what he did in Italy if he was to sign for the Gli Azzurri, a dream of the club president.

"Messi arrived at San Paolo in decline; Messi has not lived the life I have. Leo could play extraordinarily in Naples, but he would not be able to do what I did. Let's be clear about that."

Never forget | An image of Maradona in Naples. GORKA LEIZA (DIARIO AS)

Even with this, Maradona was affectionate about the Barça talisman.

"I wish the Neapolitans could have a Messi, even though San Paolo is Diegoed," pointing again to his own immortality at the club.