Former Boca Juniors goalkeeper Hugo Orlando Gatti, known as ‘El Loco’, has shared his opinion on Lionel Messi, sparking debate among football fans.
Gatti, who represented Argentina at the 1966 FIFA World Cup, expressed some critical views about the Barcelona legend’s career, especially in comparison to other football greats.
criticism of messi
According to Gatti, Messi’s time at Barcelona was made easier by the favorable conditions in which he played. The former goalkeeper highlighted that Messi was part of a highly skilled team where everything revolved around him.
He explained that Messi rarely faced physical challenges or adverse conditions on the field during his time with the Catalan giants, allowing him to excel in a relatively comfortable environment.
“I don’t dislike Messi, but he played an easy game. I saw him at Barcelona, where they whistled for everything, where nobody kicked him, where they had a great team that played for him.” As he is quoted, he said mundo deportivo,
When discussing Messi’s prospects for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Gattis cast doubt on the player’s impact at that stage of his career.
He commented that Messi’s current stint in the United States, playing in a less demanding league, reflects a decline in his competitiveness.
“He may make it, but he will be one less. Today that is already one less. He is playing native football in the United States.”
comparison with ronaldo
Gatti made a bold comparison between Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo. He described Ronaldo as a phenomenon who succeeded even in more challenging circumstances.
“Cristiano is a phenomenon and he is better than Messi. He is better because he does not have the same conditions as Messi, but he has played in the best teams in the world.”
Although he acknowledged that Ronaldo may not have the same natural abilities as Messi, he emphasized that Ronaldo’s career has seen him flourish at several top-tier teams in different leagues.
“It’s courageous to play there. Everyone plays there. They run over you, they hit you. Where did Messi play?”
Gatti argued that playing in an environment where players are under constant pressure and face tough competition is the true test of greatness – something Messi avoided by staying at Barcelona for most of his career.
“At Barça and in the Argentina national team. Messi did not ask himself to play for other teams or in other countries. And he had opportunities, right?” He added.
Underestimating Messi’s achievements
The former goalkeeper also played down Messi’s achievements in winning the 2022 FIFA World Cup. “They didn’t kick him even once.”
He claimed that Messi did not face the same physical treatment on the pitch as players such as Diego Maradona, who suffered frequent fouls but still managed to perform at the highest level.
“Maradona was kicked to death. Messi was not hurt. And Diego got hurt, fell and got up again. If you touch Messi, he stays there.” He added.