Is Barcelona's Lionel Messi the greatest player ever? Paul Hayward, Chief Sports Writer: Messi's record in the Champions League and against Real Madrid is putting heat on Maradona and perhaps even Pele in the debate about who's the all-time No 1. At club level neither Maradona nor Pele faced the relentless tests of a multi-phase Champions League, but both were undeniably greater international footballers - Maradona, in an Argentina side who would be swept away by Messi's Barcelona. Zinedine Zidane is the modern player who elevated his national side while also dazzling at a top European club (Real Madrid). To call Messi the all-time greatest now might be premature by around two years, but I'm certain he's heading that way. The 2014 World Cup in Brazil could satisfy the traditionalists who insist that Fifa's circus is still the pinnacle. Mark Ogden, Northern Football Correspondent: I've always viewed Diego Maradona as the world's best-ever footballer simply because of his brilliance at the World Cup in 1986, when he carried Argentina to trophy. The wonder goal against England obviously stands out, but he also scored a stunning goal against Belgium in the semi-finals which people often overlook. Having watched Messi destroy Leverkusen with Barcelona, you cannot deny that he is knocking on the door of being the best ever. But Maradona carried two unremarkable teams - Argentina and Napoli - to glory as a player while Messi has yet to shine on the international stage and nobody can argue that Barcelona are unremarkable. So for me, Maradona is still the number one. Who is the greatest footballer of all time? Ian Chadband, Chief Sports Correspondent: I have so far gone along with the theory that until his genius makes the major contribution to an Argentine World Cup win, just as Pele's did for Brazil in 1958 and 1970 and Maradona's for Argentina in 1986, Messi will have to stand in the rank below the two greatest of all. Yet each astonishing masterpiece for Barcelona at the highest level of club combat, not to mention the fact that he is already the compiler of the most fabulous individual highlights reel in football history, keeps gnawing away, persuading me that his consistent level of brilliance, displayed on such a routine basis that he can make the ethereal seem almost workaday, is inexorably putting him in a league of his own. And, yes, if he can stay fit, how perfect if Brazil in 2014 turns out to his moment to silence Pele's little asides about him having never delivered on the ultimate stage. I believe the little genius will have his World Cup day. Agree with our writers? Have your say in the comments thread below...