The One Thing Diego Maradona Told Lionel Messi That Changed His Game

Lionel Messi and Diego Maradona could be numbers one and two on your list of best ever players, just depends on preference. The Argentine legend gave the superstar one piece of advice that has helped him become a five time Ballon d'Or winner.

The difference between the battle between Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo and that of Pele and Diego Maradona is that the latter pair didn't play at the same time to make the rivalry more intense.

For most people those four players could well be their top four of all time and then it's just about shuffling the order to suit their preference.

_{Did I say Maradona, Pele, Ronaldo and Messi? Sorry I meant Heskey:}

Messi is an incredible player but there's still one thing that dogs him, especially when compared to his fellow countryman, and that's winning the World Cup, or not winning it as the case is.

Part of the problem is of Maradona's making after the former Napoli forward managed his national side in 2010 without success. But during that time Messi did learn one valuable thing under Maradona.

Speaking to LaSexta, via Marca, former Argentina fitness coach Fernando Signorini revealed how Maradona helped Messi taking free kicks, saying:

"I started walking to where Diego was, and at the same moment I see Messi place the ball down. He takes three shots and misses all three and turned to us with a look of clear frustration.

"He turns towards the dressing room and I shout 'no' before hugging him and telling him that the best player in the world can't leave a training session like that. Diego arrives and they talk to each other, the world seems to stop at that moment.

"He places the ball in the same place and then gives some very paternal words. He told him not to take his foot off the ball so quickly when he takes a free kick."

Maradona and Messi when the former was national manager. Image: PA Images.

Messi takes a free kick against Atletico. Image: PA Images.

The advice obviously worked with the 30 year old from Rosaria recently scoring free kicks in three games in a row against Girona, Las Palmas and Atletico Madrid to take him to 24 free kick goals in La Liga, a record for the division.

It's a good job Maradona told him not to give up practicing them.

Topics: Football News, Lionel Messi, Diego Maradona, Argentina

Ryan Sidle

Ryan is a writer for SPORTbible. He covers all sport from football, formula one, cricket, rugby, tennis, athletics, mma and wrestling. He obviously hates YOUR football team and has no interest in synchronised swimming.

@Sidler28