A Quote by Marco van Basten

I played against Maradona and he was a great player like Messi too. — © Marco van Basten
I played against Maradona and he was a great player like Messi too.
I have played against (Michel) Platini, (Diego) Maradona, (Johan) Cruyff and played with George Best — a lot of big names, but none of them has been able to do what Messi does. Two years ago I said that the best player I played against was Maradona and the best player I have played with was Bestie. But I can now say I have never seen a player as good as Messi. He’s in a league of his own.
Maradona and Messi played in different times and in different positions. Messi is much more a striker, Diego was all over the entire pitch. They are two extraordinary players.
For me, I think the toughest player I came up against was Messi; he's out of this world, he's a genius. For me he's the best in the world, a great player and I think he's the toughest opponent I've played against.
Messi is the best that's played the game. Streets ahead of Maradona.
Every time he plays, Leo Messi reminds me more of Maradona, both left-footed and short, Messi is the best player in the world, along with Kaká and Cristiano Ronaldo. For us it is not a surprise. Since he began to come and train with us and we knew we would go down this path. Someday I will explain that I was at the birth of one of the footballing greats: Leo Messi.
Best football player I played against? I think Messi. He killed us.
Maradona has been the best player in history and for me, Messi is even greater than he is.
Messi is the best player ever. And this is said by someone who has seen Maradona and Pele play.
Diego (Maradona) has filled us with emotions. But between the cracks, without doubt, Messi is better than Maradona.
Messi is a genius. He has everything. When I watch him, I see a player who is very, very skilful, very clever and his left foot is like Diego Maradona's.
I admire Messi: he's never complained to me in any game we played, but I've also never asked him for his jersey and never would. I came to win, not to say I played against Messi.
Messi is a great player. Playing against him is not good - it is bad.
Messi plays in Spain, we know he makes a difference, but if you've played against him then maybe you're aware of situations that can repeat on the pitch. But Messi is Messi, with his talent, he may send a spark with very little and make the difference. He is unpredictable.
Messi is undoubtedly a gifted footballer, like Maradona and Pele, and he's playing for the best club side in the world at the moment. He's successful and he's winning trophies, so it's only logical that he'll be voted the best player in the world.
The best player I ever played against is Thierry Henry. He was something else; i've played against Rooney and Ronaldo and players like that but i think he was the best player ever to play in the Premier League
Leo [Messi] is the best player of all time - better than Pele, Maradona or Cruyff. There have been some great teams in history - Pele's Brazil, Cruyff's Ajax, Sacchi's Milan - but in the past 20 years this Barcelona team is the best.
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