Maradona: Messi no model, but lay off him

Argentina legend Diego Maradona has defended fellow countryman Lionel Messi in typically colourful fashion.

Maradona compared the three-time Ballon d’Or winner’s attributes with his own, as well as those of Brad Pitt and Argentine model Luciana Salazar, and warned that those ostracising the player back in his homeland risk losing his talent for good.

“(Messi does) do not have the leadership that I had, or the face of Brad Pitt or Salazar’s ass, but he is Argentinian and must be defended,” he told reporters.

“If you keep breaking the eggs (criticising Messi) he is going to stay in Barcelona and will not come again.”

Maradona and current club Al Wasl have hit the headlines in Dubai in recent weeks, after the Argentine decided to ban goalkeeper Majed Nasar for the whole of next season.

Nasar was sent off after hitting an opponent as his side lost the two-legged GCC Champions League final on penalties on Sunday.