'One Could Compare Him To Lionel Messi' - Rohr Recalls Playing Against Maradona Twice
Published: December 31, 2020Nigeria manager Gernot Rohr has admitted that Argentina legend Diego Maradona was one of the greatest players to grace the game, recalling that he faced the former Napoli midfielder twice before hanging up his boots.
Assuming they played in the same era, Rohr argued that Maradona was in the same bracket as his compatriot, Barcelona super star Lionel Messi.
The German football tactician, who was a right back in his playing days, revealed that he was assigned man-marking duties on the left-footed Maradona when Bordeaux faced off with Napoli in the last sixteen second leg of the old UEFA Cup in December 1988, a test he passed with flying colours as he prevented the number 10 from scoring.
Asked if Maradona was the greatest footballer of all time, Rohr told German regional newspaper Mannheimer Morgen : "I was lucky enough to play him twice. In 1983 he was even my direct opponent at the 100th anniversary of Girondins Bordeaux against Barcelona, and then again in the 1988/89 UEFA Cup, which Maradona then won with SSC Napoli.
"He was a gifted footballer. Maradona was smart, didn't run much, but his left foot sucked the ball.
"Unfortunately, he had to fight hard after football. Applied to today's conditions, one could compare him to Lionel Messi."
When pressed further, Rohr sensationally claimed that Messi was better than Maradona.
"I have a lot of sympathy for Messi. He's a bit better because he was also very fair within a team and to the opponent - and didn't have to score a goal with his hand (laughs)," said the Super Eagles coach.
Ifeanyi Emmanuel
Copyright ANS
All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express written permission from allnigeriasoccer.com
Latest News
- Invincibles: Victor Boniface on target as Bayer Leverkusen match Arsenal and Juventus feat
- U17 WWCQ Nigeria 6 Burkina Faso 0: Harmony Chidi's hat-trick inspires Flamingos to victory
- Isaac Success and Nollywood beauty Caroline Igben to wed on June 8, a day after Super Eagles v Bafana Bafana
- Noni Madueke cites Man Utd legend, ex-Chelsea winger, 2 others as players who influenced his game
- Arsenal's Junaid cleared to play in England's historic U17 Euro final v Spain after missing back-to-back games
- English-German-Nigerian fullback returns to Southampton but ineligible to face Leeds in billion-naira game
- 'Participated in 50 percent of the matches'- Napoli president De Laurentiis aims dig at Osimhen
- Southampton-owned striker Paul Onuachu makes decision about his future with Trabzonspor
- 2023 Flying Eagles invitee announces he is leaving Arsenal for good after thirteen years
- Dessers in danger of being offloaded as Rangers set their sights on landing Hearts striker
Football News 24/7
News Categories
- Football Betting
- African Players
- Australia/ Asia
- Belgian Championship
- Bundesliga
- Danish Football
- English Premier League
- Nigeria National Teams
- Nigeria Premier League
- Norwegian Football
- Polish Football
- Russian Championship
- Serie A
- Spanish Liga
- Swedish Championship
- Transfer
- Turkish Championship
- Ukrainian Football
- Uncategorized
- Women's Football