Insigne reluctant to pick between Messi and Neapolitan's divine Maradona

Napoli forward Lorenzo Insigne was very reluctant to compare Lionel Messi to Diego Maradona. Insigne avoided all the comparison talks ahead of the UCL clash between Napoli and Barcelona, saying that Maradona was “divine for Neapolitans”.

Messi and Barcelona make the trip to the Stadio San Paolo, where Maradona starred as a player in the 1980s and 1990s, for the first leg of their clash in the Champions League last-16 tie on Tuesday. 

Like Maradona, Lionel Messi is also considered among the best players of all-time, but Insigne decided to keep shut and not to weigh the Argentine duo.

Insigne clarified a statement he gave earlier and said, “I had an interview and I said Messi is the best player in the world. However, I do not want to compare him with Maradona, who is everything for us." 

"I do not want to compare him. Maradona is divine for Neapolitans, with all respect for Messi, who is the best right now.”

There have been many off-field issues for the Catalans but that does not stop Barcelona to come into the tie as favorites. As per Insigne, Napoli need to focus on themselves heading into the first leg.

Regarding this he said, “I do not know what kind of problem Barcelona have got. I read some things as other people did. I think after four goals scored by Messi against Eibar, they have no problems.”

“We do not have to think about them. We have to think about ourselves. They have to play a great game from the beginning until the end. That’s it.” 

Barcelona, with a strong and rock-solid performance against Eibar, are at the top of La Liga. However, their next opponents are the Los Blancos, Real Madrid, who will look to get back on the top this Sunday. 

featured image credits- goal.com