Argentina legend Diego Maradona has shaded the national team captain, Lionel Messi, stating that the Barcelona man visits the loo too much and that this diminishes his leadership abilities.
The Barcelona Superstar endured a disappointing World Cup where his team crashed out in the Second Round to eventual winners, France.
Maradona feels that the captain’s armband should have been given to someone else stating that while the goal machine is the best player, he isn’t necessarily the best leader.
Speaking to La Ultima Palabra Mexico, he said; “Messi’s a great player, but he’s not a leader.
“Before talking to the coach and players, he’ll play on the PlayStation. Then, on the field, he wants to be the leader. He’s the best in the world with Cristiano [Ronaldo].
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“For me, it’s difficult to say it but it’s useless to make a leader out of a man who goes to the bathroom 20 times before a game.
“There’s no two ways about it. Let’s stop making a God out of Messi. Messi is just another player for Argentina.”
The Barecelona forward hasn’t played for his country since the World Cup and while everyone is hopeful that the diminutive striker will feature once more for his country of birth, Maradona feels less needs to be asked of him.
“I wouldn’t call him up right now, but never say never. We have to take the pressure off him.” Maradona said
“We have to take the leadership away from Messi for him to be the Messi we want him to be.
“I’d make him play as I want. I’d call him up and play him how I know Messi plays.”