Brazil great Ze Roberto choose messi ahead of Diego Maradona: 'He's kept high level for more than 10 years'

Ze Roberto picks Barca's captain because he used to play against Leo. praises Messi for his longevity.

When asked to pick the best player between Leo Messi and Diego Maradona, Brazil former star Ze Roberto has opted for Barca's current captain.

"I've played against him and I've seen him be named the best player in the world five times," the former Bayern midfielder told TyC Sports.

"That's why I stick with Messi. He's kept a high level for more than 10 years."

Maradona's playing career was marred by the numerous off-field incidents, including the infamous a 15-month ban for failing a drug test for cocaine during his Napoli times in the early 1990s.

By contrast, Leo has been at his very best for almost 15 years from scoring his debut La Liga goal in 2005 to winning the record-breaking Pichichi award in 2020.