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"He Has Nothing" Jorge Jesus Claims Messi and Ronaldo Lack Passion

"He Has Nothing" Jorge Jesus Claims Messi and Ronaldo Lack Passion

Jesus prefers Maradona's 'Hand of God' passion to the modern superstars.

Max Miller

Max Miller

Benfica manager Jorge Jesus has claimed that Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo lack passion in comparison to the recently departed Diego Maradona.

Jesus believes that Maradona is the greatest footballer to have graced the game, in part due to his wider effect on the world and not just his football.

While he respects Messi and Ronaldo as players, he does think they lack this same passion and emotion.

Image: PA
Image: PA

"In my opinion, Maradona was the greatest player in history, (together) with Pelé. Pelé is still here, he is alive," ESPN reports Jesus commenting.

"Maradona was the greatest, not only for what he was as a genius and player, but for the way he showed. That made the difference to me.

"He was a world top, but he had a passion for the game, he was born to be a football player, he was born with everything.

"It is not a worked product, he was born that way. Love, all the feeling he had with the ball...

"Nowadays, between the two best in the world, (Cristiano) Ronaldo has a little bit of that, (Lionel) Messi has nothing. He has nothing... of passion. He is a great player."

Jesus clarified afterwards: "Be careful not to misinterpret. As for Messi, we are talking about what life and feeling is about, having a passion for the game and football.

"I think Maradona was even prominent in this regard in relation to other."

There has been an outpouring of tributes to Maradona since his death last week. The Argentine was widely regarded as one of the greatest players of all time, and a hero to many across the world.

He has regularly been compared with Messi and Ronaldo, who have won 11 of the past 12 Ballon d'Or awards. Messi gave tribute to his countryman by revealing a copy of Maradona's iconic no.10 Newell's Old Boys shirt after scoring for Barcelona on Sunday.

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Topics: Football News, Cristiano Ronaldo Jr., Football, Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo