Argentina great Diego Maradona has criticised Lionel Messi, suggesting that the Barcelona star’s retirement from international football, and subsequent change of heart, was “staged”.
“I don’t know whether this was staged to make us understand that he’d lost three finals, but we never lost by big margins,” said Maradona to radio station La Red.
Maradona believes Messi spoke too rashly and upset many people in Argentina with his comments.
“He got annoyed for nothing. He wasn’t to blame for the defeat, others were. So why did he announce his retirement? He spoke too quickly, made everyone hold their breath (on a potential return),” added Maradona, the star of the Argentina team that won the 1986 World Cup.
Earlier this month, the 29-year-old confirmed he would rejoin the national set-up after being convinced by new coach Edgar Bauza to make a comeback.