Lionel Messi has come under criticism from Diego Maradona over a lack of leadership and character.

Diego Maradona has claimed Lionel Messi lacks the character to be a leader.

Argentina great Maradona was caught on microphone discussing the Barcelona star with Pele at a publicity event on Thursday in Paris.

Iconic former Brazil forward 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.

The 28-year-old has twice lost in the final of the Copa America and once in the decider of the World Cup, with an Olympic gold medal in 2008 his only significant international honour.

He missed Argentina's opening game of the Copa America, a 2-1 win over holders Chile, due to a back injury.

Glory wrote:Who the f cares. What he lacks in leadership and charisma he makes it up in natural ability and magic. Kronaldo interestingly is the exact opposite in that case. What he lacks in talent he makes it up in show off.

Kebab wrote:Ronaldo doesnt sell more staff than Messi. its 3 years in a row (or more) Messi sells the most shirts in the world.
http://www.totalsportek.com/football/clubs-with-most-shirt-sales/
Though Ronaldo makes more money by doing more businesses and modelling. But still messi is the most popular player

Also Ronaldo is not a better leader than Messi. he is the opposite. Leader protects his team mates, but ronaldo attacks them. Leader participates in arguments and tries to solve it. Both Messi and Ronaldo doesnt do it for different reasons. Messi is shy and lack mental strength and ronaldo doesnt care about anything.
Also both of them lack a leader's face. they look like a teenage boy. compared to Casillas and Puyol. so nobody would take them serious. Maradona looked like a grandfather when he was 25 years old

Betty La Fea wrote:

Kebab wrote:Ronaldo doesnt sell more staff than Messi. its 3 years in a row (or more) Messi sells the most shirts in the world.
http://www.totalsportek.com/football/clubs-with-most-shirt-sales/
Though Ronaldo makes more money by doing more businesses and modelling. But still messi is the most popular player

Also Ronaldo is not a better leader than Messi. he is the opposite. Leader protects his team mates, but ronaldo attacks them. Leader participates in arguments and tries to solve it. Both Messi and Ronaldo doesnt do it for different reasons. Messi is shy and lack mental strength and ronaldo doesnt care about anything.
Also both of them lack a leader's face. they look like a teenage boy. compared to Casillas and Puyol. so nobody would take them serious. Maradona looked like a grandfather when he was 25 years old

Messi looks like he was a teenager in the 80's. He looks closer to 40 than 30.

Kebab wrote:

Betty La Fea wrote:

Kebab wrote:Ronaldo doesnt sell more staff than Messi. its 3 years in a row (or more) Messi sells the most shirts in the world.
http://www.totalsportek.com/football/clubs-with-most-shirt-sales/
Though Ronaldo makes more money by doing more businesses and modelling. But still messi is the most popular player

Also Ronaldo is not a better leader than Messi. he is the opposite. Leader protects his team mates, but ronaldo attacks them. Leader participates in arguments and tries to solve it. Both Messi and Ronaldo doesnt do it for different reasons. Messi is shy and lack mental strength and ronaldo doesnt care about anything.
Also both of them lack a leader's face. they look like a teenage boy. compared to Casillas and Puyol. so nobody would take them serious. Maradona looked like a grandfather when he was 25 years old

Messi looks like he was a teenager in the 80's. He looks closer to 40 than 30.

not even close

Kebab wrote:I dont think so, but anyway messi is 29 now. maradona in that pic is 26.
here is 29 years old maradona

CBarca wrote:Lmao, mad that Messi is a better player than he was, that's all it comes down to.

I just hope when Messi is finished he doesn't turn into some pos putting down the best players of the day and acting like an arrogant douche