Argentina: Lionel Messi outdoes Diego Maradona

Julián Camino compared Lionel Messi and Diego Maradona in an unexpected area: truco

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Argentina: Lionel Messi outdoes Diego Maradona

Former Argentina assistant Julián Camino says Lionel Messi was even more formidable than Diego Maradona at the famous card game.

Lionel Messi and Diego Maradona have been compared for decades because of their exploits with Argentina. This time, however, the debate concerns neither goals, dribbling nor trophies. Julián Camino, Alejandro Sabella’s former assistant between 2011 and 2014, compared them at truco, a very popular card game in Argentina in which bluffing plays a central role.

In an interview with TyC Sports, Camino amusingly recalled the games he played with Messi during Argentina squad gatherings. “The truco games we played are my best memories. We were with him, the best player in the world.”

“He’s a terrible liar”

The former member of the Argentina coaching staff particularly highlighted the No. 10’s bluffing skills. “He’s a terrible liar, and on top of that, he puts pressure on you! We wanted to play for a watch, but he didn’t. His watch was worth $300,000 and ours $20!” he joked.

Camino also had the opportunity to play with Diego Maradona, his father and his father-in-law. His verdict, however, is unequivocal: “I played with Diego, his father and his father-in-law. The latter two were extraordinary—you can’t imagine how good they were. But at truco, Messi is better, without a doubt. He’s a great liar.”

208 appearances and 126 goals for Argentina

This anecdote comes just days after Lionel Messi’s farewell to the Argentina national team. In his final appearance against Benin, the captain once again made his mark by scoring a goal and providing two assists in the 3-0 victory at the Monumental.

Messi thus closed out his remarkable international chapter with 208 caps and 126 goals in the Argentina shirt. According to CONMEBOL, he also provided 68 assists. He ends his career as the most-capped player and leading goalscorer in the history of the Argentina national team.

His honours with the senior team include four major trophies: the 2021 and 2024 Copa América titles, the 2022 Finalissima and, above all, the 2022 World Cup. They are joined by the 2005 FIFA U-20 World Cup and the Olympic gold medal won in Beijing in 2008.