Diego Maradona has claimed that Lionel Messi lacks the character to be a leader.
Argentina great Maradona was caught on microphone discussing the Barcelona star with Brazil legend Pele at a publicity event on Thursday in Paris.
Pele asked his fellow World Cup winner if he knows his compatriot personally, prompting Maradona to offer an unguarded response.
"He's a really good person, but he has no personality," Maradona said.
"He lacks [the] character to be a leader."
Pele responded: "Ah, I get it, he's not like we were back in the days. In the 70s we [Brazil] had really good players like Rivellino, Gerson, Tostao.
"Not like Argentina now, which depends only on Messi. He [Maradona] is saying that Messi is a good player, there's no doubt about it, but he has no personality."
Maradona's assertion may perhaps be greeted favourably by some in Argentina.
Messi's commitment to his country has at times been questioned, the forward having struggled to replicate his extraordinary club performances when playing for the Albiceleste.
Argentina great Maradona was caught on microphone discussing the Barcelona star with Brazil legend Pele at a publicity event on Thursday in Paris.
Pele asked his fellow World Cup winner if he knows his compatriot personally, prompting Maradona to offer an unguarded response.
"He's a really good person, but he has no personality," Maradona said.
"He lacks [the] character to be a leader."
Pele responded: "Ah, I get it, he's not like we were back in the days. In the 70s we [Brazil] had really good players like Rivellino, Gerson, Tostao.
"Not like Argentina now, which depends only on Messi. He [Maradona] is saying that Messi is a good player, there's no doubt about it, but he has no personality."
Maradona's assertion may perhaps be greeted favourably by some in Argentina.
Messi's commitment to his country has at times been questioned, the forward having struggled to replicate his extraordinary club performances when playing for the Albiceleste.
