Diego Maradona has praised Barcelona star Lionel Messi for his Copa America outburst.

Messi was handed a three-month ban by CONMEBOL this week for comments he made claiming there was bias towards Brazil.

"He seemed to me like a Messi in Maradona mode," Diego said. "I saw him rebelling more, saying what he felt and winning on the pitch without anyone fixing any games.

"I like this Messi more, that's with his family, that you see playing with his dog or having a beer. I like this Messi more than the one they criticised because he didn't sign the national anthem.

"Everything that Messi does is profiting Argentina."