Rome: Italian football legend Paolo Maldini on Tuesday said Lionel Messi is slowly overtaking Argentine icon and countryman Diego Maradona in terms of success he has had over the last few years.

"Leo Messi is the best player in the world. From what I'm seeing, he's approaching the point where he is perhaps overtaking Maradona in terms of everything he's achieved in recent years," former A.C. Milan star Maldini was quoted as saying by goal.com.