Maradona: I don't think Solari will stay for very long, he doesn't have the support Football Argentine legend spoke to MARCA

Diego Maradona spoke to MARCA after training with his Mexican side Dorados and he talked about many topics from Argentina, Messi, Ronaldo to the current situation at Real Madrid.

Q. Would you like to train in Spain?

A. Yes but it needs to be a long-term project and not if it is a case of bringing in a coach for the sake of it. Also it is healthy to have a break after winning all the time (probably in reference to Real Madrid). It is the time now to correct mistakes, to be thinking if the fullbacks close down the space, if the centre-halves link up, if the two central midfielders help each other out, this is the time to do it. Myself as a coach I need to learn a lot and for that reason I think I will go to Manchester and Mourinho to ask him a lot of things.

Q. Why Mourinho?

A. Because he is the best without doubt.

Q. Better than Pep?

A. For me yes, Mou is the best. I would give Pep the merit of taking advantage of the launch that Johan Cruyff gave him. I have said on more than one occasion that tiki-taka was not invented by Guardiola. It was 'flaco' Cruyff. At the moment Pep is able to choose any player in the world that he wants. That way tiki-taka is easier.

Q. Why do you think it had so much impact what you said about Messi?

A. What are you talking about?

Q. About saying it is no point making Messi a leader when he goes to the toilet 20 times before a game.

A. All lies.

Q. You didn't want to cause conflict with Messi?

A. Leo is a friend of mine and I never talk badly about a friend in public. I would say it to the face, and not through an interview. About Leo all I would say is that he is a phenomenon and nothing more. There are players that go to the bathroom 20 times but I never referred to Messi. Quite the opposite what I wanted from Leo (referring to the 2010 World Cup) was to get changed, go on the pitch, look for the ball and something that many others don't do, they hide from the ball. I want to say that what I have with Leo is unconditional.

Q. Love?

A. Love, peace, affection and of course I want to give him a big hug because it is a long time since I saw him.

Q. Have you spoken since this issue?

A. Since Messi joined Barcelona they want us to be always fighting.

Q. Who? Why?

A. I don't know why there is this obsession with him and me. Leo could be compared with Ronaldinho for example. Dinho had a massive impact at Barcelona and for some reason no one remembers him. This is typical of Barcelona, they forget their idols very quickly. Ask about Rivaldo there after the goal from the half-way line against Atletico or the overhead kick against Valencia. Nobody remembers him, you know how the Barcelona press are, they want that we are fighting but I will eat a meal with Leo, we play football-tennis and we are happy.

Q. To end this issue: maybe you want to say with the phrase about the toilet that Messi doesn't have the same leadership qualities like those of previous generations?

A. It is useless to want a player to change his style, put Leo as right back and watch how many times they go past him. It is useless to play a different way. I love Leo, after the 4-0 against Germany at the 2010 World Cup I saw him cry in the dressing room...and I say more that when he is angry he is really angry. There were players that had already booked their home flights back to Argentina but Leo didn't do that, Leo does the right thing and for that reason I heard him cry in the shower.

Q. Do you think he will return to the national team?

A. I think so. We will see because if not then we are in trouble as we haven't anyone that can hit a wall.

Q. You criticised the appointment of Scoloni as Argentina coach because of his lack of experience. Do you think the situation with Solari at Madrid is similar?

A. I would only say that in both cases that they don't have enough backing for both teams. However, if they were put there then it was because they had the backing of the Argentina federation president and the Real Madrid president, but I don't think they will be around for long. Coaches have a life span and and theirs will not be too long.

Q. But it was the same with Zidane?

A. It is different when you talk about lifespans if you are called Zidane compared to Scaloni or Solari.

Q. And being called Maradona. Would you have liked a chance at Madrid?

A. I would have loved it. I have big enough shoulders for it but things didn't work out that way. Now I am at Dorados and I am happy, I will see Benja (his grandson and Kun Aguero's son) at some point and I have a good relationship with Kun. He is good father and a great guy.

Q. Talking of Kun. Do you think that City are favourites to win the Champions League?

A. Yes they could win it. Before I spoke about Pep and it is clear that he is a coach that understands games better than a lot that think they know it and then lose 3-0. Kun can win the Champions League but also I say to the Argentine kids that the Champions League is great but soon will come the World Cup. That they don't only think about the Champions League.

Q. What did you think of Cristiano's sale?

A. I think that it was a good move for Cristiano. He gave his all to Madrid, he wasn't enjoying it as much as he does now in Italian football and Florentino is always planning. When he saw Ronaldo was only getting a goal a game he sold him.

Q. But now at Madrid they are now missing him?

A. Clearly yes but I always say that a player doesn't make a club. Madrid will recover, they will win again, they have a great squad but the truth is that CR7 continues to score goals and people will say why was he sold. I always say that Florentino is clever and if he let him go it was for a reason.

Q. Thanks once again.

A. Thanks to you all.