Diego Maradona is no stranger to controversy.
The Argentina legend, who is currently managing Mexican second-tier side Dorados, dances in and out of the limelight at will, but his latest comments are sure to irk his fellow countryman Lionel Messi, with whom he previously managed at international level.
Messi would be the first to admit that he’s failed to hit the dizzying heights of his club football over in the international arena, although Maradona’s sudden outburst on 'The Last Word Mexico' is more than a little harsh.
Maradona, one of the great footballers ever, said this on the TV programme (quotes obtained from The Mirror):
"Messi is a great player but he doesn't get it.
"Before speaking to the manager, he will be on the PlayStation and then on the field, he asks to be and wants to be the leader.
"He is the best in the world along with Cristiano (Ronaldo), (but) it's useless to make a leader of a guy who goes to the bathroom 20 times before a game.
"Don't worship Messi anymore. Messi at Barcelona is one thing and with Argentina he is another one."
Maradona was asked if he would recall Messi, who has taken a break from international football:
"I wouldn't call Messi but never say never.
"You have to take the pressure off him in order to get the leader we want Messi to be, that he will not be. You say to Messi to 'throw yourself in head first' but he prefers to play video games."
The comments are sure to hurt Messi, but when he takes one glance at his trophy cabinet we’ll sure he’ll forget Maradona’s unexpected outburst in no time.
Argentina beat Iraq 4-0 last week and are next in action against rivals Brazil on Tuesday.
