Lionel Messi might well be the greatest footballer of all time.
The Barcelona forward has scored over 660 goals for club and country and has won numerous individual and team honours.
His performance on the pitch is almost always faultless, and as well as regularly putting the ball in the net, he also provides for his teammates too.
There is, however, one part of Messi’s game that has often been criticised – his ability to lead.
In fact, fellow countryman and Argentine legend, Diego Maradona, has pointed out the forward’s shortfalls on a number of occasions.
Back in October, the one-time World Cup winner launched a verbal assault on Barca’s number 10, saying:”We shouldn’t deify Messi any longer. He’s Messi when he plays for Barcelona. Messi is Messi when he wears that shirt and he’s another Messi with Argentina.
“He’s a great player but he’s not a leader. It’s useless trying to make a leader out of a man who goes to the toilet 20 times before a game.”
Of course, after making those comments, Maradona himself faced quite a backlash from football fans. But, once again this week, he’s decided to speak about Messi – and his words weren’t exactly positive.
Rather than berating Messi for his performances in an Argentina shirt, this time, Maradona has focused more on his personality – and claims that he will never be a leader.
“I love him with all my heart, he is a phenomenon, but they want to make him a leader, and he will never be a leader,” Maradona claimed, per ESPN.
“He will always stay in his sporting, family and football world.”
It’s interesting that once again, Maradona has publically criticised Messi, considering the pair are both Argentine legends and even worked together for the international side.
But, Maradona clearly has a bone to pick, and seemingly won’t rest until the world knows about Messi’s lack of leadership skills.