Napoli great Diego Maradona would like to see Barcelona star Lionel Messi join his old club.

Maradona was speaking to Argentine reporters before his side Gimnasia La Plata's Argentina Cup game against Sportivo Barracas.

“I would have liked to have faced Messi. He arrived at the San Paolo when it's in decline," Maradona said in the mixed zone.

“Messi has never lived what I experienced, but he can play safely in Naples.

“He couldn't do what I did, let's clarify, but I'd like the Neapolitans to have a Messi."