BSP-25 ‘I love Leo’ – Maradona denies Messi criticism

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‘I love Leo’ – Maradona denies Messi criticism

MADRID, Nov 14, 2018 (BSS/AFP) – Diego Maradona says he “loves” Lionel
Messi and described as “false” comments attributed to him attacking his
Argentine compatriot and Barcelona legend.

“Leo is a friend of mine and I’d never speak ill of a friend,” Maradona
assured Spanish sports newspaper Marca on Wednesday.

Last month Maradona was quoted as telling Fox Sports in Mexico that Messi
“is not a leader… It’s useless to try and make a leader out of someone who
goes to the bathroom 20 times before a game”.

He told Marca that “all that was false”.

“All I said was that Leo is a phenomenon. And that there were players who
go to the toilet 20 times, but I never made any reference to Leo,” he
insisted.

Maradona implored his fellow countryman to return to the national side
after sitting out three friendlies since Argentina’s group-stage elimination
from this summer’s World Cup in Russia.

“I think he should return, because if not, we are in a pickle.”

Maradona, who led Argentina to victory in the 1986 World Cup, is currently
in Mexico coaching second-division Sinaloa.

BSS/AFP/FI/2348 hrs