Argentina Believes four matches is excessive

Messi banned for four matches by FIFA

The four-match ban handed to Lionel Messi for insulting an official surprised Diego Maradona, who insisted that the Barcelona forward is not the kind of person to lose his temper and that he would discuss the matter with FIFA president Gianni Infantino.

Pointing to the way the 29-year-old conducts himself with his teammates, Messi's former national team coach expressed his shock at the incident.

"It surprised me because he is a sensational kid who doesn't complain about anything," the Argentine legend told 'La Oral Deportiva'.

"He is a courteous person and he is a teddy bear with his teammates and with everyone.

"You have to be part of the dressing room or a training session to know if it is the kind of thing which truly reflects him."

Although he admitted that the insult was a serious one, Maradona was convinced that a four-match punishment was excessive.

"Even though the words were strong and serious, I think [the ban] can be changed," he said.

"I will speak with Infantino, as I think it's terrible.

"Four matches is an awful lot."

He also insisted that he'd had no input in the sanction, despite his role as an ambassador of FIFA.

"The ban started with CONMEBOL," he told the programme.

"I investigated and asked about it, but I didn't influence anything."

Finally, the 56-year-old analysed the detrimental impact that Messi's spell on the sidelines could have on the Albiceleste World Cup qualifying hopes, bringing up the impact losing Zinedine Zidane had on France in the 2006 final.

"I would compare it with Zidane's headbutt on [Marco] Materazzi," he said. "He left France with 10 men and was no longer the best player at that World Cup.

"The absence of Messi is decisive.

"There is one Argentina with him and another without him."

Messi will have to sit out his nation's next three qualifiers, unless his ban can be reduced.