Diego Maradona has called on Argentina to give Barcelona ace Lionel Messi time to "breathe".

Maradona told Ole that the FA should leave Messi in Europe for the time being.

"I'd give Messi room to breathe, a break. I'd tell him to play in Europe, not to travel any more and not let them use him," said Maradona about a possible rest for the Barça captain. "He doesn't need to go and play a friendly just because the team wins more often with him in it."

The legend was also strong in his criticism of Jorge Sampaoli.

"If you're tightening your belt at home and don't eat bread but then throw a party for 15 people with a special cake for your daughter, it doesn't make sense. The AFA said they didn't have money but then they offer Sampaoli a 20M contract. It doesn't deserve to be analysed."