Lionel Messi and Diego Maradona are gods on football in their own right, Diego's heroic performances at the 1986 World Cup are legendary. His individual displays as Argentina lifted the trophy are remembered as some of the most breathtaking in football history.
Lionel Messi played a pivotal role in delivering the Copa America for La Albiceleste in 2021 – ending the national team's long 28-year wait for silverware – but he's been unable to emulate Maradona and lead Argentina to the most prestigious trophy of them all.
Qatar 2022 almost certainly presents the 35-year-old's last chance to win the World Cup. Argentina suffered a shock defeat in their opener against Saudi Arabia but have battled through to the semi-finals with Messi in imperious form.
But how does Messi's record for Argentina compare with Maradona's overall? We've taken a look at how the two legendary football compare on the biggest stages of all.
Using data from transfermarkt, we've compared Lionel Messi and Diego Maradona records at major international tournaments:
The European Golden Boot or European Golden Shoe is awarded annually to the leading goal scorer in league matches in the top divisions of European football. First awarded in 1968, this prestigious honour is judged on a points-based system.
The winner is not simply the player with the most goals in the season. There is a weighting system where the goals scored in the top-ranked leagues are worth more. Players from the five highest ranked leagues according to UEFA (based on results of each league's clubs in European competition over the previous five seasons) get 2 points per scored goal, leagues ranked 6-22 get 1.5 points per goal and the remaining leagues get 1 point per goal.
The top five ranked leagues in 2022 were Germany, Spain, England, Italy, and France. The winners usually come from the top-ranked leagues.
Historical Overview
Between 1968 and 1991, the award was given by L'Équipe to the highest goalscorer in any European league. Between 1991 and 1996 there were no official awards given to the top goal scorers, but the leading goalscorer for those years have since been recognized.
Since the 1996–97 season, the award, given by European Sports Media, has used a weighted points system.
Most Golden Boots win
Lionel Messi has won the European Golden Boot a record six times (2009-10, 2011-12, 2012-13, 2016-17, 2017-18, 2018-19). The next closest is Cristiano Ronaldo with four (2007-08, 2010-11, 2013-14, 2014-15).
Let's take a look at the most Golden Boots win in football history.
Real Madrid players Toni Kroos, Dani Carvajal, Luka Modric and Nacho have equalled Paco Gento's record for most Champions League titles as a player. All of them have won six European Cup/Champions League titles.
The Champions League has always been a huge honour for any team. Teams like Real Madrid have won the trophy as many as 15 times while AC Milan, FC Barcelona, Ajax and Bayern Munich have won found success in Europe's biggest club competition.
As a result, the players from such elite teams as Real Madrid, Barcelona, Ajax, and AC Milan dominate the charts of players with the most Champions League titles.
Players who have won the most Champions League titles
Paco Gento was the first player to win six European Cup/Champions League titles as a player.
Iconic Real Madrid left-winger Paco Gento used to hold the record for the most Champions League titles by a player. He has won six trophies in his 18 years at the Santiago Bernabeu.
However, Real Madrid legends Toni Kroos, Dani Carvajal, Luka Modric andNacho have equalled his record and became the only players to win six Champions League titles in the UCL era.
Former Real Madrid, Juventus and Manchester United star Cristiano Ronaldo is tied up at 5 UCL titles with players like Paolo Maldini, Alessandro Costacurta and Larence Seedorf as well as other Real Madrid giants in Hector Rial and Marquitos, Lucas Vázquez, Gareth Bale, Karim Benzema and a few others.
El Clasico is considered as the greatest football rivalries, between Barcelona and Real Madrid. Here is the list of the top 10 greatest El Clasico matches ever played.
Zamorano celebrating his goal in the 1995 El Clasico. Image | TheHardTackle
The Real Madrid vs. Barcelona match on January 7, 1995, at the Santiago Bernabeu was unforgettable. Zamorano netted a hat-trick, leading Real Madrid to a commanding 5-0 victory in this LaLiga clash. It was one of the most one-sided El Clasico matches ever, with the home team fully dominating Barcelona.
The match gave Real Madrid an edge in the title race for La Liga.
9. Real Madrid 2-1 FC Barcelona, 2014
Gareth Bale(right) celebrating his 85th minute winner against Barcelona in the 2014 El Clasico. Image | Sky Sports
The Mestalla Stadium in Valencia, Spain, hosted the 2014 Copa Del Rey final between Real Madrid and Barcelona on April 16. The match seemed headed for extra time, but a brilliant 85th-minute goal from Gareth Balesecured the victory for Real Madrid. It marked their 19th Copa del Rey title.
8. FC Barcelona 5-0 Real Madrid, 2010
Xavi Hernandez after scoring the first goal of the night in the 2010 El Clasico. Image | CNN
After dominating El Clasico the previous season, Barcelona, led by coach Pep Guardiola, continued their strong form in 2009-10. Real Madrid had spent big to rebuild their "Galactico Era," bringing in stars like Karim Benzema, Mesut Ozil, and Cristiano Ronaldo.
But Madrid’s firepower wasn’t enough. Barcelona crushed them 5-0 at the Camp Nou, with David Villa scoring twice. Messi didn’t score but played a big role in most of the goals.
Lionel Messi celebrating his hattrick in the 2007 El Clasico. Image | 90MIN
This LaLiga match between Barcelona and Real Madrid took place at Camp Nou on March 10, 2007, and ended in an exciting 3-3 draw. Both teams played their hearts out, making it one of the greatest El Clasico matches in recent years.
Messi scored a hat-trick, whileVan Nistelrooy scored twice andRamos added one for Madrid. A fierce, high-scoring clash that highlighted both teams' firepower.
6. Real Madrid 4-2 FC Barcelona, 2005
Raul Gonzalez celebrating his goal in the 2005 El Clasico. Image | Squawka
The early 2000s saw Real Madrid stacked with stars like Zidane, Roberto Carlos, Beckham, and Ronaldo Nazario. Despite Barcelona boasting talents like Ronaldinho, Eto'o, and Xavi, Madrid outclassed them with a 4-2 win—Zidane and Ronaldo struck early, while Raul and Owen sealed it in the second half.
5. Real Madrid 3-1 FC Barcelona, 1960
Alfredo Di Stefano trying to score a goal in the 1960 El Clasico. Image | Alamy
Real Madrid’s clash with Barcelona in the 1960 European Cup Semifinal is seen as a key moment in El Clasico history. Madrid won 3-1 and reached the final. Di Stefano and Ferenc Puskas found the net for Real Madrid, sealing their victory in the semifinal against Barcelona.
The match showed the strong rivalry and attacking power of both teams. It's still remembered today as one of the greatest El Clasico matches and a major turning point in their history.
4. FC Barcelona 4-0 Real Madrid, 2015
Luis Suarez(centre) celebrating his goal in the 2015 El Clasico. Image | FC Barcelona
During the peak of the MSN era at Barcelona, the team looked unstoppable in Spain. But for the first El Clasico of the season, Messi was out with an injury. Surprisingly, Cristiano Ronaldo didn’t make much impact, while Luis Suárez and Neymar stepped up. They led Barcelona to a dominant 4-0 win over Real Madrid at the Bernabeu.
With both teams playing attacking football and creating plenty of chances, this was the greatest El Clasico match of the 1980s. Butragueno gave Real Madrid the lead, but Gary Lineker put Barcelona ahead. Goals from Schuster and Michel made it 3-1 for Madrid. Julio Salinas gave Barca hope, but a late goal from Hugo Sanchez sealed the win for Real Madrid.
2. FC Barcelona 3-2 Real Madrid, 2011
Cesc Fabregas(left) celebrating his assist to Lionel Messi(right) in the 2011 El Clasico. Image | TheNewYorkTimes
One of the most intense and dramatic El Clasicos happened in 2011 during the Supercopa de Espana. The first leg ended in a 2-2 draw at the Bernabeu, but the second leg had everything—goals, fouls, and lots of drama.
Iniesta put Barcelona ahead, Ronaldo equalised, and Messi sealed it with two goals, including a late 88th-minute winner. The match turned chaotic after a foul on Fabregas sparked a brawl, leading to four red cards and Mourinho infamously poking Vilanova in the eye.
1. FC Barcelona 3-2 Real Madrid, 2017
Debatably the greatest El Clasico match of the modern era, took place in the 2016-17 LaLiga season. Real Madrid was leading the league and hoping to extend their lead, while Barcelona needed a win to stay in the title race.
What made this match unforgettable happened in the final moments. The ball was passed to Messi just outside the Real Madrid penalty area. Instead of taking a wild shot, Messi calmly placed the ball into the bottom corner, securing a crucial victory for Barcelona at their biggest rivals' home.
AFC and CONCACAF Chiefs express concerns over 64-team World Cup expansion
AFC president, Shaikh Salman, and Concacaf president, Victor Montagliani, have raised their voices against the proposal of expansion to a 64-team World Cup.
The controversy over the potential increase in the 2030 FIFA World Cup roster to 64 teams has gained momentum, with key football officials coming out to oppose it. The Concacaf and the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) have joined forces against this controversial suggestion.
Should the 2030 World Cup be expanded to 64 teams❓🌎 🏆
Alejandro Dominguez, president of CONMEBOL, is proposing a one-time expansion of the 2030 Men's World Cup to 64 teams to mark the tournament’s 100th anniversary.
Concacaf chief Victor Montagliani has joined the increasing call to oppose the plan to increase the World Cup teams to 64, claiming increasing the number of teams "would not be the right move".
AFC president Shaikh Salman bin Ibrahim Al Khalifa also warned against the expansion to 64 teams and the ‘chaos’ it could lead to, telling Agence France Press (AFP), “Personally, I don’t agree."
AFC and CONCACAF Presidents show concerns over expansion
Conmebol president Alejandro Dominguez. (Image Source | X)
In March's FIFA Council, Uruguayan football chief Ignacio Alonso proposed expansion of the 2030 World Cup. FIFA later announced that it would study the proposal.
Since then, Conmebol president Alejandro Dominguez has been the frontrunning campaigner for an expansion to 64 teams. FIFA president Gianni Infantino has been silent on the idea, but according to sources close to FIFA, he favours the plan and came up with it in the first place.
🚨 An official proposal to expand the 2030 World Cup to 64 teams has been put forward by the South American Football Confederation. 🌍🏆
Conmebol have often been his path to market for alterations that he desires – the most stunning of these recently having been for a biennial World Cup cycle.
Last week, Dominguez supported a tournament extension from 48 teams to 64 teams in the 2030 World Cup as a once-off for the centenary celebrations for the global finals. Dominguez said:
We are convinced that the celebration of the centenary will be something unique, because it has only once been 100 years old. And for this reason, we are proposing, for one, to carry out this anniversary with 64 teams, across three simultaneous continents. So that all countries have the opportunity to live a world experience, and so that no one is left out of this party even if it is played everywhere, it is our party.
Victor Montagliani, Concacaf President. (Image Source | X)
With Victor Montagliani joining the mounting anti-64-team World Cup campaign, he is joined by fellow FIFA vice presidents Sheikh Salman bin Ibrahim Al Khalifa (AFC president) and UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin.
Following Infantino, they are the next three strongest political officials in the world governing body. Montagliani told ESPN:
At Concacaf, we’ve shown that we are open to change by supporting the Women’s World Cup expansion and the continuous evolution of our Confederation’s men’s and women’s national team and club events,”
I don’t believe expanding the men’s World Cup to 64 teams is the right move for the tournament itself and the broader football ecosystem, from national teams to club competitions, leagues, and players.
AFC president Sheikh Salman and FIFA president Gianni Infantino in 2022. (Image Source | X)
Yesterday, AFC president Sheikh Salman bin Ibrahim Al Khalifa cautioned against expansion to 64 teams and the 'chaos' it might bring, telling Agence France-Presse: "Personally, I don't agree." He further stated:
If the question is open to amendment, then the door will not only be open to increasing the tournament to 64 teams,"
But somebody will come along and insist on increasing the amount to 132 teams. Where would we get to then? It would be chaos.
Even the president of UEFA, Aleksander Ceferin, who also serves as FIFA vice president, joined the chorus of criticism. He stated:
It is not a good idea for the World Cup itself, and it's not a good idea for our qualifiers as well,"
I don't know where it came from, but it's odd that we didn't know anything prior to this proposal at the FIFA Council."
Excitement is rising for the first-ever 48-team World Cup to be staged in 2026 by the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
This event is a huge rise from the traditional 32-team setup, and any further expansion to 64 would double matches to a mind-boggling 128. Contrary to this, the forthcoming 2026 event will host 104 matches to be staged in 16 host cities.
The logistical issues for the 2030 World Cup are already significant, with its games spread across three continents. Its initial host nations are Spain, Portugal, and Morocco, but Paraguay, Uruguay, and Argentina will be hosting the milestone opening games, marking a century since the tournament's first edition was held in Uruguay.
FIFA has yet to comment publicly on the feasibility of this proposal, although they did confirm their duty to consider it.
The proposal is expected to be a subject of debate at FIFA's upcoming 75th Congress, which takes place annually on May 15 in Paraguay's capital, Asunción, which houses the headquarters of Conmebol. The congress agenda is yet to be published, but the plan for a 64-team World Cup will supposedly receive intense local lobbying in the backrooms and corridors of FIFA.
10 biggest football transfers from Premier League to La Liga
Discover the 10 biggest football transfers from the Premier League to Laliga, featuring players like Eden Hazard, and Phillipe Coutinho and legends like Luis Suarez and Cristiano Ronaldo.
Laliga clubs regularly own some of the biggest names in the world of football. Many of their top stars have come from abroad, often moving from the Premier League to La Liga. However, some superstars were not so successful in Laliga after the transfers. Trent Alexander Arnold is more likely to be the next biggest football transfer from the Premier League to Laliga. Discover the 10 biggest football transfers from the Premier League to Laliga, featuring players like Eden Hazard, and Phillipe Coutinho and legends like Luis Suarez and Cristiano Ronaldo.
10 biggest football transfers from Premier League to La Liga:
Rank
Player
From
To
Transfer Fee
1
Phillipe Coutinho
Liverpool
FC Barcelona
€142 million
2
Eden Hazard
Chelsea
Real Madrid
€130 million
3
Gareth Bale
Tottenham Hotspurs
Real Madrid
€85 million
4
Cristiano Ronaldo
Manchester United
Real Madrid
€80 million
5
Julian Alvarez
Manchester City
Atletico Madrid
€82 million
6
Luis Suarez
Liverpool
FC Barcelona
€75 million
7
Diego Costa
Chelsea
Atletico Madrid
€57 million
8
Raphinha
Leeds United
FC Barcelona
€67 million
9
Ferran Torres
Manchester City
FC Barcelona
€46 million
10
Conor Gallagher
Chelsea
Atletico Madrid
€35 million
10. Conor Gallagher | Chelsea to Atletico Madrid | €35 million:
Image Credit: Sky Sports
Conor Gallagher was one of the key players for Chelsea in his final season. He is a Chelsea academy player, despite being an academy graduate of Chelsea, the Blues sold him to the Laliga side Atletico Madrid for €35 million and became one of the players with the biggest football transfers from the Premier League to La Liga.
He has seemed a perfect fit for Diego Simeone’s managed side, though he has rotated with other midfielders. Gallagher scored an important Champions League goal against Real Madrid, during a round of 16 match in which Atletico was heartbreakingly beaten on penalties.
9. Ferran Torres | Manchester City to FC Barcelona | €46 million:
Image Credit: Barca Universal
FC Barcelona paid €46 million to Ferran Torres from Manchester City in 2022. But he was never able to prove his worth in FC Barcelona, he was one of the failed yet one the biggest transfers from the Premier League to Laliga.
The winger had never scored more than 10 goals in a single campaign for the La Liga giants. Torres played 145 games at Barcelona and has started almost exactly half (73), which shows the coaches he has played under have been aware that he cannot impact games.
8. Raphinha | Leeds United to FC Barcelona | €50 million:
Image Credit: Republic World
Raphinha was not a major signing for FC Barcelona, yet among the biggest football transfers from the Premier League to La Liga. In the first season, Raphinha scored 14 goals and contributed in 15 goals. However, in the 2024/25 season, Raphinha found his lost form under Hansi Flick as he scored 27 goals and delivered 20 assists. Now the Brazilian winger is one of the players who is getting Ballon d'Or shouts in 2025.
7. Diego Costa | Chelsea to Atletico Madrid | €57 million:
Image Credit: Reddit
Costa played for Atletico Madrid on a few different occasions. He had already left once before coming back in 2010 by the time he moved to Chelsea in 2014, and four years later, he was back, with Atletico Madrid paying €57 million for him.
Diego Costa was one of the players also among the biggest football transfers from the Premier League to La Liga. In his final season before leaving for the Premier League, Costa scored 36 goals, and in three seasons at Stamford Bridge, he scored 59 goals and 21 assists. The Spanish forward 81 games in four seasons after his return but scored just 19 goals in that time.
6. Luis Suarez | Liverpool to FC Barcelona | €75 million:
Image Credit: FC Barcelona
Barcelona had seen enough from Suarez in just two and a half seasons at Liverpool to sign him for an initially reported fee of £75million. That he’d move onto bigger things was unsurprising after notching 31 goals and 13 assists in his final season in the Premier League.
Luis Suarez was one of the key players also among the biggest football transfers from the Premier League to La Liga. The Uruguayan forward scored 195 goals and assisted 113 in 283 games, in his second season at Barca, scoring a remarkable 40 La Liga goals, along with 18 assists. Across all competitions that season, Suarez scored 54 goals and assisted 24.
5. Julian Alvarez | Manchester City to Atletico Madrid | €80 million:
Image Credit: X
One of the most recent players to the biggest football transfers from the Premier League to La Liga, Julian Alvarez moved to Manchester City for Atletico Madrid in the summer transfer window of the 2024 season. He already has 23 goals and five assists this season, including eight direct goal contributions in the Champions League. So far, the move looks a positive one for Alvarez.
4. Cristiano Ronaldo | Manchester United to Real Madrid | €80 million:
Image Credit: Sporting News
Cristiano Ronaldo was undoubtedly the best move from the Premier League to La Liga in history. He broke new ground with a transfer worth approximately £80million from Manchester United. The previous world-record transfer was Zinedine Zidane to Real Madrid, which had stood for eight years.
Ronaldo was one of the most devastating forwards in the world for his entire spell at Real Madrid, scoring 450 goals and assisting 131 in 438 games. Ronaldo is the most successful and among the biggest football transfers from the Premier League to La Liga. He won the Ballon d’Or in 2013, 2014, 2016, and 2017 while he was a Real Madrid player.
3. Gareth Bale | Tottenham Hotspurs to Real Madrid | €85 million:
Image Credit: Sporting News
At the time of his transfer to Real Madrid for approximately £85million, Bale’s was a world-record move. Gareth Bale was among the biggest football transfers from the Premier League to La Liga.
Bale would win five Champions Leagues with Real, as well as three La Liga titles, among many other honors. Throughout seven seasons, he scored 106 goals and assisted 67 times.
2. Eden Hazard | Chelsea to Real Madrid | €130 million:
Image Credit: Sky Sports
Eden Hazard was one of the failed transfers yet and second-placed in the list of the biggest football transfers from the Premier League to La Liga. That he never played 20 La Liga games in a single season, showed how much Hazard struggled, and he retired at just 32 years of age, having played just 10 games in his final season. The Belgian failed to match that single-season total in 76 games across his entire Real Madrid career.
1. Phillipe Coutinho | Liverpool to FC Barcelona | €142 million:
Image Credit: Barca Blaugranes
The biggest football transfer from the Premier League to La Liga, Barcelona spent an astonishing £142million to sign the midfielder from Liverpool. At Liverpool, he had become an iconic figure, having a direct hand in 97 goals in 201 games.
After 13 direct goal contributions in his first 18 La Liga games, Coutinho slowed with only seven contributions in the 32 games he played in the season. The Brazilian left for Aston Villa, after only 39 goal contributions in 106 games at Barcelona.
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