Maradona slams Messi over retirement reversal

Suspicion over how quickly Barcelona star changed his mind

Posted Friday, August 26, 2016 by Marca.com

Lionel Messi's retirement from the Argentine national team and eventual u-turn have been sharply criticised by his former coach Diego Maradona.

Having previously hit out at the Barcelona star for 'lacking personality', Maradona has now taken aim at the 29-year-old for announcing his retirement in the wake of Argentina's Copa America final defeat before reversing his decision.

"I don't know if Messi's retirement was a setup to help us forget about the fact that we lost three finals in a row," Maradona said.

"The player said that he was going to retire and then managed to change his mind in a matter of weeks."

The Boca Juniors and Napoli legend also took time to launch a barb in the direction of new Juventus signing Gonzalo Higuain.

"[Messi] got upset for no reason but it's not only his fault, it's the fault of all eleven," Maradona insisted. "If he would retire, why shouldn't Higuain?"

The 55-year-old also voiced his backing for newly appointed Argentina coach Edgardo Bauza.

"He has my full support but the important thing is not to impose his way," in reference to the return of Messi, Higuain and Sergio Aguero with the national team.