"[Messi does] do not have the leadership that I had, or the face of Brad Pitt or Salazar 's ass , but he is Argentine and must be defended ," he told reporters.





Argentina legend Diego Maradona has defended fellow countryman Lionel Messi in typically colourful fashion, stating that the three-time Ballon D'Or winner may not be perfect but he deserves the support of his nation.Maradona compared the Barcelona ace's attributes with his own, as well as those of Brad Pitt and Argentine model Luciana Salazar, and warned that those ostracising the player back in his homeland risk losing his talent for good.