Diego Maradona tried to defend Lionel Messi against naysayers in Argentine but ended up criticising the Barcelona start on the program 'The Last Word Mexico' when he said you can't call someone a leader "who goes to the bathroom 20 times before every game."

"Messi is a great player but he goesn't get it. Before speaking to the manager, he will be on the PlayStation and then on the field, he asks to be and wants to be the leader. He is the best in the world along with Cristiano," said Maradona.

Maradona has been supportive of Messi's struggles with Argentina but has been just as quick to turn around and belittle the attacker.

Barcelona's Lionel Messi celebrates scoring their first goal. Heino Kalis (REUTERS)

Messi goes to the bathroom 20 times before every game

But then came the criticism that will reverberate around the world. "It's useless to make a leader of a guy who goes to the bathroom 20 times before a game. Don't worship Messi anymore. Messi at Barcelona is one thing and with Argentina he is another one."

And the Argentine legend goes on to say he wouldn't be calling Messi for the national team. "I wouldn't call Messi but never say never. You have to take the pressure off him in order to get the leader we want Messi to be, that he will not be. You say to Messi to 'throw yourself in head first' but he prefers to play videogames," Maradona says.