Maradona strongly criticizes Lionel Messi

YEREVAN, JULY 14, ARMENPRESS. Diego Maradona has waded into the storm in Argentina surrounding Lionel Messi and the Copa América final defeat to Chile, insisting that it is time to stop giving the star special treatment. As Armenpress reports citing “marca.com,” the legend labelled the Barcelona forward a "phenomenon", but that didn't hold him back from questioning the 28-year-old's performances in the Copa América, where Maradona felt Argentina should have been too good for Chile, "even playing bowls".

"It's logical that he's come in for flak, it's easy to explain. We've got the best player in the world, who goes and scores four goals against Real Sociedad, and then he comes here and doesn't touch the ball. You're left saying to yourself, 'Dammit, are you Argentinian or Swedish?'" Maradona stated in an interview with sports paper Olé.

"People have got to stop droning on about Messi needing to be pampered.Messi should be treated just like any other player who pulls on the national-team shirt. Like the best in the world, for better or worse. Still, it's not like Messi killed or raped someone; we mustn't make a drama out of this", the 1986 World Cup winner continued.

Maradona went on to back criticism of Messi "so that he improves", while calling out some of the more over-the-top opinions. "That said, running a poll to ask if he should play for the national team or not, no, that's losing the plot guys. We mustn't be extremist, but we mustn't get used to always finishing second either", he added.