Jesus: Maradona had passion for football, CR7 has a bit, Messi has nothing

The Benfica coach Jorge Jesus has lamented the loss of Diego Maradona, talking about the Argentine's passion for football and using the occasion to take a pot shot at Lionel Messi. 

"Maradona was the best player ever, along with Pele," he said. "Pele's still here, he's alive. Maradona was greater, not just because he was a genius, but because of how he showed it. That makes the difference for me. 

"He was absolutely world-class, but he had a passion for the game, he was born to be a footballer, he was born with everything. It was not a product of work, he was born like that. But he still loved having the ball." 

Jesus compared Maradona's passion with today's top players, Cristiano Ronaldo and Messi, who was especially close with Maradona and paid homage to him after scoring against Osasuna at the weekend. 

"Today, among the best two in the world, Cristiano Ronaldo has a little of that (what Maradona had). Messi has nothing. He doesn't have any passion. 

"Messi is a great player. But we're talking about life and feelings, having passion for the game and for football. I think Maradona was above anyone in that regard."