The Argentine legend believes the talisman is off form and therefore wishes his old club Napoli could play their Champions League last-16 tie against Real Madrid now

Real Madrid talisman Cristiano Ronaldo is “not at his best”, according to Argentina legend Diego Maradona.

The Portugal international has enjoyed a stellar 2016 – claiming the Champions League crown, Euro 2016 glory and a fourth Ballon d’Or.

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His last appearance of the calendar year saw him bag a hat-trick in the Club World Cup final, as Real added to their enviable collection of silverware.

Maradona, though, believes a man with 23 goals in 22 appearances for club and country this season is not performing at the peak of his powers.

As a Napoli icon, he wishes the Serie A side were running into Ronaldo and Real at this stage but fears the Spaniards and their star man will be back to their best by the time a Champions League last-16 encounter rolls around in the new year.

Maradona told reporters: "I want [Madrid-Napoli] to be played today because Ronaldo is not at his best.

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"However, by February I think he'll be in top condition, as will his teammates."

The 1986 World Cup winner has also had his say on the summer departure of Gonzalo Higuain from his beloved Napoli.

His fellow Argentine was offloaded to domestic rivals Juventus, with Maradona questioning the motives of Napoli president Aurelio de Laurentiis and Higuain in getting a big-money deal done.

"I said last season that if Higuain scores 36 goals, it's a miracle and de Laurentiis knew how to use that to sell him, because he'd sell his own wife," joked the 56-year-old.

"He saw Juve needed a striker and sold them one. I think these decisions should be made with the heart; I stayed with Napoli and Higuain joined Juventus.

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"Times have changed. Before, I chose the shirt. Now, they choose the money."

Higuain has netted 13 times in all competitions this season for Juve, helping them to open up a four-point lead at the top of the Serie A table in the defence of their Italian top-flight crown.