Diego Maradona has hit out at the critics of Barcelona star Lionel Messi. Maradona is fed-up with the Argentine critics attacking their superstar.

"[Messi does] do not have the leadership that I had, or the face of Brad Pitt or Salazar's ass, but he is Argentine and must be defended," he told reporters.

"If you keep breaking his b***s he is going to stay in Barcelona and will not come again."