Much has been said about Lionel Messi when he plays for Argentina. While Diego Maradona has defended the 31-year-old on many occasions, the World Cup winner has questioned his countryman's leadership skills.
The five-time Ballon d'Or winner is the captain for his national side. Many have blasted the attacker as an unfit skipper, with Maradona confessing that he is anything but a leader.
Speaking in an interview with La Ultima Palabra Mexico, the 57-year-old sang La Pulga's praises but also admitted that he is not tailored to be a captain. Diego said (via Football Espana):
“Messi’s a great player, but he’s not a leader,” Maradona said of the Barcelona superstar to La Ultima Palabra Mexico.
“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].
“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 Barcelona's icon's struggles to lead his nation was vivid for all to see in the 2018 World Cup. The pressure to win football's biggest prize appeared to get to the Argentine, as he failed to impress en route to their round of 16 exit.
Faulty tactics and the turmoil between then manager Jorge Sampaoli and the players heavily contributed to La Albiceleste's shortcoming at in Russia. However, Maradona argues that relieving La Pulga of the pressure of captaincy might have resulted in a more positive campaign.
“I wouldn’t call him up right now, but never say never. We have to take the pressure off him.
“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.”
As of now, the Camp Nou superstar remains on sabbatical from the national team. Messi refrained from announcing his retirement in frustration as he did after their Copa America Centenario final defeat, but some speculate that he will not return to Argentina.
