Gerard Pique has blasted Diego Maradona for his attack on Barcelona teammate Lionel Messi.

Maradona branded Messi selfish, but Pique snapped back: "When (Messi) scores a goal by dribbling past five players, no-one criticises him. Maradona scored a good goal in the World Cup (1986) against England.

"Four months ago he said that Leo was the best in the world and now he is criticising him. As a former player, besides, he should know better.

"Maradona is the past and Messi is the future."