Messi or Maradona: Nigeria legend Jay-Jay Okocha names his Greatest of All Time 

Argentina legend, late Diego Maradona is the greatest player to ever play the beautiful game of football, according to former Nigeria international, Austin ‘Jay Jay’ Okocha.

Lionel Messi was yet to score in the knockout rounds of the competition but went on to play the best game of the tournament after he scored his first-ever goal in the knockout stage of a World Cup to defeat Australia.

Despite becoming his country’s second-highest goalscorer in the tournament’s history, the Nigerian legend insists the former Barcelona and PSG man must win the World Cup to match former Napoli superstar as the greatest ever.

“Maradona for me, is the greatest player in history,” Okocha said on SuperSport.

“Messi can try and match his record. But Messi is Messi. And his impact on the national team has been immense.”

His ninth World Cup goal takes him ahead of Maradona and one behind all-time leader Gabriel Batistuta.

Lionel Messi now needs to win the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar to cement his legacy as the greatest Argentine player to ever live, surpassing the late great Maradona.