Stunning goal sees 'Messidona' compared to Argentina legend

On Wednesday, Messi emulated Maradona's epic winner against England in the 1986 World Cup quarter-finals when scoring Barcelona's second goal in a 5-2 win over Getafe in the Copa del Rey semi-finals.

Maradona's feat - four minutes after he had scored the notorious 'Hand of God' goal - featured a long, dribbling run which left numerous England defenders and goalkeeper Peter Shilton in his wake.

Nearly 21 years later, 19-year-old Messi dashed from his own half past four Getafe players before rounding goalkeeper Luis Garcia and scoring from a narrow angle in the 29th minute at the Nou Camp.

Messi agreed his goal was "similar to Diego's" but added he could "never be compared" with the former Argentina star.

"I saw the space, I had a gap and I went forward," Messi told Barcelona's TV station. "I did well. I took the goalkeeper on and scored. My aim was the goal and to finish the move off. I saw that Samu [team-mate Samuel Eto'o] was there, but there were two defenders heading back. I saw the gap and went for it."

Messi, who made his international debut for Argentina at 18 and appeared at last year's World Cup, added another first-leg goal in the 45th minute to boost Barcelona's hopes of winning Spain's knockout competition for the first time since 1998.

He is enjoying his best season since joining Barcelona as a junior. In March, he scored a thrilling hat-trick in the 3-3 draw with Real Madrid.

Speaking after the goal, Messi spared a thought for Maradona, who is recovering in a Buenos Aires hospital from abdominal pains and has recently been treated for alcoholic hepatitis that doctors have linked to heavy drinking. "Diego has always backed me and I hope he gets well soon," he said. "The whole of Argentina wants him back well again because we miss him."

Barcelona coach Frank Rijkaard, who gave Messi his league debut when the forward was 17, described the goal as "a work of art". "Messi is a great talent," said Rijkaard. "He has scored a brilliant goal. It's true that it is very like Diego Maradona's, but I think Messi accelerated even faster."

Messi's team-mate, Portugal midfielder Deco, said it was "the greatest goal" he had ever seen.

However, Getafe coach Bernd Schuster blamed his team for not halting Messi as he began his run. "We should have fouled him, he can't be allowed to reach the area like that," Schuster said. "I can't see the goal through the eyes of a spectator. We should have stopped him before he got to the area even if it cost us a yellow card. You can't afford to be so generous."

Former Argentina international Jorge Valdano, who played with Maradona against England in 1986, highlighted differences in the two goals.

"Diego played with pauses and acceleration. Messi's was down to breakneck speed and acceleration," Valdano was quoted as saying by El Pais. "It's impossible not to compare Messi's goal with Maradona's, but the comparison doesn't turn Messi into Maradona."

Spanish newspapers yesterday, however, said Messi was now the new Maradona. Sports daily Marca referred to the Barcelona player as "Messidona," while national El Pais said Messi was "the modern version of Maradona".

"Messi's soccer takes up where Maradona's left off," the newspaper added.

Meanwhile, Pele said yesterday that Manchester United winger Cristiano Ronaldo will have to wait "one or two years more" before he deserves to be called the best player in the world.

The 22-year-old Portuguese winger is one of the leading contenders for the PFA Player of the Year award on Sunday after his dazzling form helped United stay on track for the treble.

But Pele, widely regarded as the greatest player of all time, said: "Cristiano Ronaldo today is one of the good players, he plays very good in England but to mention him as the best player in the world is very soon.

"You have Kaka, who plays very well and I think he is the same level. Some years ago we had Ronaldinho in good shape. I think to compare Cristiano with the great players is too soon."