Maradona-Messi feud: Former footballing star Diego Maradona made controversial comments on Messi.
Lionel Messi might be scoring goals for Barcelona, but is going through a struggling season with Barcelona. The club has slipped to the second position with only 15 points from 8 matches, behind Sevilla.
Barcelona are winless in their last four La Liga matches, which include a stunning loss to the-then bottom-placed side Leganes last month. In their last match before the international break, Barca were held to a 1-1 draw at Valencia.
Messi, however, inspired Ernesto Valverde’s side to an impressive 4-2 victory at Wembley Stadium against Tottenham Hotspur in the Champions League. The Argentine star scored a brace and set up the other two goals, as Barca maintain their position at the top of the group.
Messi’s disappointing run also continues with Argentina. He hasn’t represented the country since the dismal World Cup campaign, where they were knocked out by eventual winners France in the round-of-16.
Diego Maradona, who has played for Argentina and later managed the side in the 2010 World Cup, opened up on Messi and criticized his leadership quality last week.
Maradona-Messi feud:
The former Argentine footballer launched an extraordinarily weird attack at Lionel Messi last week. He insisted that it was of little use trying to convert Messi into a leader because “he goes to the toilet 20 times before a match.”
Lionel Messi’s family has now reacted to Maradona’s remarks on the player.
Messi’s cousin, Maxi Biancucchi has branded Maradona’s comments as ‘ignorant.’
“It’s ignorant to discredit Leo,” said Biancucchi. “It’s sad to see how someone, who boasts of being a leader, can talk so badly about a player who’s currently the best we’ve got and will probably be so for a long time yet.
“And he’s done it at a time when he should be helping to rebuild if he loves the national side as he says he does.”
Maradona’s comments are thought to be a dig at Lionel Messi’s leadership qualities.
What next?
Lionel Messi’s international future is still uncertain, as he made himself unavailable for selection for Argentina in the ongoing international break. Lionel Scaloni, the caretaker manager of the national side, has refused to say anything about Lionel Messi’s situation.
Jorge Sampaoli was relieved off his duties with the national team after the World Cup in Russia.
