Sports
Messi goes to the toilet 20 times before a game – Maradona
The Barcelona talisman has been handed the captain’s armband by his country, but that role has been questioned by an iconic countrymanLionel Messi is not a leader, according to Diego Maradona, with the Barcelona and Argentina talisman accused of “going to the bathroom 20 times before a game”.
At 31 years of age and having spent more than a decade as an elite performer in the global game, the five-time Ballon d’Or winner is accustomed to shouldering pressure and expectation.
He has, however, struggled with the burden of captaincy at times , despite having taken the armband for club and country in recent years.
Maradona believes Messi is the wrong choice for Argentina as, while he is unquestionably their best player, he lacks the personal skills required to inspire those around him.
The 1986 World Cup winner, who saw the Albiceleste struggle at Russia 2018 over the summer, told La Ultima Palabra Mexico : “Messi’s a great player, but he’s not a leader.
“Before talking to the coach and players, he’ll play on the PlayStation. Then, on the field, he wants to be the leader. He’s the best in the world with Cristiano [Ronaldo].
“For me, it’s difficult to say it but it’s useless to make a leader out of a man who goes to the bathroom 20 times before a game.
“There’s no two ways about it. Let’s stop making a God out of Messi. Messi is just another player for Argentina.”
Messi has not figured for his country since suffering a last-16 exit in his latest showing on a World Cup stage.
He has ruled himself out of contention, with interim coach Lionel Scaloni being forced to call upon attacking alternatives.
Argentina remain hopeful that an all-time great can be brought back into the fold , but Maradona believes less needs to be asked of him before a recall can be considered.
He added: “I wouldn’t call him up right now, but never say never. We have to take the pressure off him.
“We have to take the leadership away from Messi for him to be the Messi we want him to be.
“I’d make him play as I want. I’d call him up and play him how I know Messi plays.”
Messi has earned 128 caps for Argentina, with that tally leaving him 19 short of Javier Mascherano’s record haul.
Follow us on social media:
NNPCL denies stopping fuel imports
Auto crash claims three lives in Jigawa
“Why Burna Boy doesn’t want to have kids” – Speed Darlington alleges
Missing 35-year-old man found dead near Ogun stream
Missing 35-year-old man found dead near Ogun stream
“My nanny sexually harassed me at age 12 but I actually enjoyed it” – Charly Boy Lament
“Call us childish; it is fine, I have to defend myself” – Peter Okoye writes as he leaks audio of him directing twin brother, Paul on what to sing during ‘Winning’ studio session
Judge to rule on whether to toss Donald Trump’s criminal ‘hush money’ conviction following his election victory
-
News2 days agoMissing 35-year-old man found dead near Ogun stream
-
News2 days agoAuto crash claims three lives in Jigawa
-
Celebrity Gossip & Gist2 days ago“I am not happy about it” – Paul Okoye’s wife, Ivy speaks on his birthday message to his ex-wife, Anita, her stepchildren, and Psquare’s split (Video)
-
News2 days ago“Why Mr President directed me to build houses for judges” — Wike reveals