Arguably one of the the greatest players in the history of football if not the absolute greatest, the Argentinian maestro is in the news again, this time for criticizing Messi.
Try as Messi might, the greatest prize in world football keeps eluding him, and competition after competition only leaves him more frustrated and hapless. It is no wonder Lionel Scaloni, Argentina’s caretaker coach has not called him up since they exited in round of 16 to eventual winners, France, in the recent World Cup.
This has opened the little Argentinian maestro to criticism and this time from none other than the man he was supposed to take after, Diego Maradona. The Albiceste legend and former head coach, in an interview with Fox Sports, had some harsh words for his country’s captain, calling Messi’s leadership of the national team in question.
“We shouldn’t make a God out of Messi any longer. He’s Messi when he plays for Barcelona and he’s another Messi with Argentina,” he said before continuing, "before speaking to team-mates and the coach, he’ll go and play Playstation and then on the field he wants to lead. He’s a great player but he’s not a leader.”
"I find it difficult to say this but you can't make a leader out of a man who goes to the bathroom 20 times before a match".
"There is no doubt about it. Messi is not a god. He's just another player for Argentina," he concluded.
Meanwhile, these comments haven't gone down well with the family of the Barça ace.
Messi's 34 year old cousin, Max Biancucchi was quoted as saying, "It's totally ignorant to discredit Messi. I'm saddened to see a man who boasts of being a leader talking so badly about our best player. He should rather be helping the national side at this moment."
Some football fans are also of the opinion that Maradona is simply jealous of Messi, seeing as he has overtaken the legend in achievements on the pitch despite Messi’s inability to win a World Cup or a major international trophy for Argentina.
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One thing is for certain, Diego Maradona will always stoke controversy, whether through his utterances or his actions. But what do ya'll think? Is Maradona jealous of Messi? Drop your comments below.
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