Last night’s phenomenal display by Linoel Messi has left many fans and pundits alike wondering whether Messi is the best player of all time, better even than the great Diego Maradona.

After the game yesterday Ruud Gullit commented on the Messi show he had just witnessed saying he thought the young Argentine was clearly the best player in the world at the moment. However when pushed on whether he is the greatest of all time, Gullit put him second to Maradona.

His logic was clear. Although Messi is the outstanding player for Barcelona, he is also surrounded by other great players which makes it easier for him to work his magic.

When Maradona won the World Cup with Argentina in 1986 however, he dragged his team kicking and screaming to the greatest football prize on earth. Likewise when Maradona won the the Seria A with Napoli in 1986/87 and 1989/1990 he was by far the best player in the team and without him they would have won nothing.

Without Messi Barcelona would still stand a good chance of winning their domestic league and would still seriously challenge for the Champions League. Those great players around Messi enable him to be greater, whereas it was much harder for Maradona.

The real test for Messi comes this summer in South Africa. Although the Argentina Squad does have skillful players like Sergio Agüero and Gonzalo Higuaín, together as a unit they’re not a touch on the Barcelona team and they proved as much in qualification for the World Cup.

If Messi can lead Argentina to a third World Cup then he will be closing in on the crown as the greatest player of all time. The frightening thing is he’s still just 22, so his best years are in front of him. It’s a truly mouth watering prospect.

So what’s your view, is Messi better than Maradona? Check out the video footage below to help you decide.