Menotti: Messi is no Maradona

Cesar Luis Menotti says stop comparing Lionel Messi to Diego Maradona.

Former Argentina boss Cesar Luis Menotti has urged the media to stop comparing Lionel Messi to Diego Maradona.

Barcelona youngster Messi has burst onto the scene in precocious fashion and gave a glittering display in the UEFA Champions League tie at Chelsea in February.

Many are predicting the teenager will be one of the stars of the World Cup finals in Germany but Menotti reckons there will never be a player capable of matching the exploits of Argentina's favourite son.

"In Argentina, and in other countries too, every time that a kid appears with good technique who plays well, he is compared to Diego Maradona," explained Menotti.

"That has already happened with Pablo Aimar, Javier Saviola, Juan Roman Riquelme, Andres D'Alessandro and Carlos Tevez.

"Messi plays very well.

"He uses his left foot and has a great technique. He gives better quality to his team but he isn't Maradona.

"I know that he plays at Barcelona, he is Argentinian and made his debut when being very young, but Maradona exists only once and I don't think that another one will appear."

Meanwhile, Messi is being rated as doubtful for the Champions League semi-final with Milan as he struggles to recover from a thigh injury in time to make the two-legged tie.

The 18-year-old has been out since the start of March and suffered a setback when trying to begin training again this week.