‘Messi is perhaps even better’ – Gernot Rohr ranks Lionel Messi above Diego Maradona after Benin farewell game

Former Super Eagles head coach Gernot Rohr has placed Lionel Messi above Diego Maradona in the debate over Argentina’s greatest footballer, saying the Inter Miami forward is “perhaps even better” than the legendary World Cup winner.

Rohr, who is now in charge of Benin, made the comparison after his side’s 3-0 defeat to Argentina in Buenos Aires in what marked Messi’s final international appearance. The Argentine captain delivered a decisive performance, assisting Nicolás Otamendi and Nico Paz before converting a penalty.

The result gave Messi a fitting farewell as he ended his international career with 208 caps and a record 126 goals for Argentina.

Rohr, however, had another personal reason to remember the occasion. The former Nigeria coach had previously faced both generations of Argentine footballing icons, although his encounter with Messi came while leading the Super Eagles at the 2018 World Cup in Russia.

“I played personally against Maradona, sometimes with Bordeaux, and Maradona was already a fantastic player. Messi is perhaps even better,” Rohr said.

Maradona comparison comes naturally

Rohr’s assessment carries particular weight because he experienced Maradona during his playing career before later coming up against Messi as a coach.

The French-born German recalled seeing a statue of Maradona shortly before Benin’s meeting with Argentina, bringing memories of the former Napoli and Argentina star back into focus.

“When we trained the day before the match at the Boca Juniors stadium, we saw the statue of Maradona. Messi and Maradona are really among the greatest players we ever had in our football,” he said.

While acknowledging Maradona’s extraordinary ability, Rohr believes Messi’s achievements extend beyond his performances on the pitch.

“Messi is different because his life is a success too, and his family is wonderful,” he said.

Rohr was unable to speak directly with Messi after Benin’s defeat but still left Buenos Aires with a prized memento.

“We couldn’t speak with Lionel yesterday, but I have his signature, and that is already a success.”

Messi finally signs 2018 shirt

The signed shirt completed a story that began eight years ago when Rohr was Nigeria’s coach.

The Super Eagles faced Argentina at the 2018 World Cup in a dramatic Group D encounter. Messi opened the scoring before Nigeria equalised through Victor Moses, only for Marcos Rojo to score late and send Argentina through with a 2-1 victory.

Rohr had kept the shirt Messi gave him after the game but wanted the Argentine to add his signature.

“Yes, we played with Nigeria eight years ago in Russia against Argentina,” he said. “It was a great match, but in the end we lost 2-1, and we had Lionel Messi who scored the first goal for his team.”

Rohr brought the shirt to Buenos Aires and finally got the signature he had been waiting for.

“After this match, he gave me his jersey. He didn’t sign it in 2018, so I brought it yesterday to the match in Buenos Aires, and he signed it for me.”

He described the moment as a lasting memory of one of football’s most celebrated figures.

“So this historic moment is great. We will always think about this and have a wonderful memory of this big player, a humble, fantastic human being and, of course, an icon in football.”

Rohr praises Messi’s example

Rohr also believes Messi’s influence will extend beyond his playing career, particularly for younger footballers.

“I think he will leave football for his country, not for his club. He’s really an example for our young players: how to play technically, and what your attitude should be on the pitch and off it.”

The Benin coach also highlighted the Nigerian influence within his current squad, pointing to several players with Nigerian roots.

“We have some players in our team who were born in Nigeria, especially Olaitan [Junior], who plays at Besiktas, and they did well,” he said.

Rohr also named Joseph Ede Oloko of Liepaja and Wydad Casablanca winger Junior Olugbade as other players with Nigerian connections.

“They’re doing well,” he added.

The former Super Eagles boss said Benin’s geographical proximity to Nigeria makes the connection natural, while the different languages spoken within his squad provide an interesting dynamic.

“It’s very close to Nigeria, Benin. And we have some players who speak better English than French, but it is interesting to work with them.”