Maradona-Messi is more like a 'teddy bear' than a footballer

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Diego Maradona believes Lionel Messi should have been banned for longer after allegedly insulting a linesman, as he referred to the Barcelona star as a 'teddy bear'.

Messi was initially handed a four-game suspension after the incident in a World Cup qualifier against Chile, but after sitting out just one match he has already been cleared to play again.

Maradona believes Argentina's star man has received preferential treatment, although he admits it is good for the team that he can feature again.

He told Radio La Red: 'It makes absolutely no sense, but Leo deserved [to be sanctioned] for one more match and I say that with my heart in my hand.

'They reduced the ban for the same reason they always do with star players and veteran players.

'Messi is not the type of player to insult anyone. I managed him for one year and he is more like a teddy bear than a football player.'

Argentina lost 2-0 to Bolivia in the one game Messi missed, and they will clearly be delighted when he returns to the international stage.

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