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Lionel Messi might be known as one of the best footballers in recent history (and arguably ever), but the original Argentinian legend Diego Maradona has gone on record to suggest that maybe, the 31-year-old Messiah should retire.

In an exclusive interview with Clarin, Maradona took the opportunity to address some of the issues plaguing the Argentinian team.

“Right now, the national team doesn’t do anything for me or for the people,” the 57-year-old footballing legend said. “We have lost that. The passion. It cannot play against Nicaragua or Malta, no, brother. We are throwing all the prestige we earned down the toilet.”

As for the country’s more recent beloved player, Maradona had some more brutally honest opinions to share.

“What would I tell Messi? To not come back any more. To retire,” Maradona said. “The Under-15s lose and it is Messi’s fault, the fixture list in Argentina puts Racing against Boca and Messi is to blame. He is always to blame. I would tell him: ‘Don’t go anymore, man’. Let’s see if they can handle that. Let’s see if they’re really big men.”

Now 31 years old, Lionel Messi has not played for Argentina since the last World Cup this summer, where the team exited at the last-16 stage after losing 4-3 to the 2018 Champions France. Having missed two matches in September, the four-time Ballon d’Or winner is also not in Argentina’s squad for friendlies later this month, one of which sees them face off against South American giants Brazil.

“I spoke with Messi about 10 days ago, after the talk we made the final decision he is not to be called up,” Argentina interim coach Lionel Scaloni said of the decision.

But Maradona wasn’t finished yet.

“I would have liked to see him tell us all to **** off,” he said of Messi. “Because he is not to blame for us not being world champions. Fine, we all placed our hopes in him, but when you go to the racetrack you hope your horse wins and he comes in eighth.”

What do you make of Maradona’s comments? Let us know in the comments below

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David Grech Urpani

Lovin Malta's former Head of Content, Dave has been in journalism for the better half of the last decade. Prefers Instagram, but has been known to doomscroll on TikTok. Loves chicken, women's clothes and Kanye West (most of the time).