La Liga champions Barcelona have thrown their weight behind playmaker Lionel Messi as the exchange of words continues with Argentina's La Albiceleste legend Diego Maradona.
According to The Mirror report citing Marca, Maradona does not want the Barcelona captain to be invited to La Albiceleste squad again, stressing that Messi does not have the right qualities of leader as well as his bizarre challenges, saying "he goes to the toilet 20 times before a match."
However, Messi's cousin Maxi Biancucchi, responded by claiming Maradona is "ignorant".
"It's ignorant to discredit Leo. It's sad to see how someone who boasts of being a leader, can talk so badly about a player who's currently the best we've got and will probably be so for a long time yet.
"And he's done it at a time when he should be helping to rebuild if he loves the national side as he says he does," added the 34 year-old Biancucchi, who currently, plies his trade with second division Paraguayan side Rubio .
And now Barcelona's board spokesman Josep Vives has also dabbled into the controversial issues by celebrating Messi as one of the world's greatest the
"best player of all time without any doubt, " he said, even as he was quick to add.
"There are some comments that qualify themselves.
"We have a person who qualifies himself to himself from silence and discretion.
"He is the best player of all time without any doubt and he does his talking on the pitch, " Vives was quoted as saying.
Speaking further, the Barca mouthpiece also denied reports in the Spanish press that Messi and Barca boss, Ernesto Valverde are in talks over an extension at the Nou Camp.
But Vives insists all about a new deal on the cards were rumours. He said: "[Renewing Messi] isn't something that it on the table at the moment.
"We don't comment on contracts that are subject to confidentiality clauses.
"The best reflection of his situation is seeing how he is playing each week and how he is acting as captain.
"[With Valverde], it's hard to move closer to something with whom you are already close.
"We are very satisfied and comfortable with Valverde."He has a contract and we respect it."
Interestingly, the Argentine joined the Spanish side since 2001, and his current deal will run until 2021.
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