5 great players who publicly slammed Lionel Messi

#3 Dani Alves

The defender didn't hold back despite being Lionel Messi's friend

Lionel Messi made some controversial remarks following Argentina's 2-0 loss to Brazil in the semi-final of the 2019 Copa America tournament. The playmaker accused CONMEBOL of corrupting the competition to allow Brazil to emerge as champions on home soil.

Those comments didn't sit well with Messi's close friend and ex-teammate Dani Alves. The defender hit back at the six-time Ballon d'Or winner, saying:

"Firstly, he's disrespecting an institution such as the Selecao, in my view. Secondly, he's being disrespectful to several professionals who put a lot of things aside so they could be there fighting for a dream. I'm a friend who always tells the truth when it's due, and I think he was wrong for saying these things."

#2 Diego Maradona

The Albiceleste great questioned Lionel Messi's leadership credentials.

It wasn't strange to see Diego Maradona publicly criticising Lionel Messi, with several such instances recorded over the years. In one instance, the former Napoli attacking midfielder slammed Messi's leadership credentials. He said:

"Messi is a great player, but he doesn't get it. Before speaking to the coach, he'll play PlayStation and then on the field, he asks to be and wants to be the leader.

"It's useless to try and make a leader out of someone that goes to the bathroom 20 times before a game. Messi at Barcelona is one thing. and with Argentina. he is another one."

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#1 Pele

Pele

Brazilian great Pele could have insecurity issues, as many continue to consider Lionel Messi a greater player than him. The Selecao legend couldn't hold it anymore, as he criticised the Argentine in an interview with Brazilian daily newspaper, Folha de Sao Paulo. in 2018.

Pele described Messi as a one-skilled player, adding that the six-time Ballon d'Or winner is nowhere near the level Pele demonstrated during his playing days. Pele said:

"How can you make a comparison between a guy who heads the ball well, shoots with the left, shoots with the right and another who only shoots with one leg, only has one skill and doesn't head the ball well?

"How can you compare? To compare with Pele, it has to be someone who shoots well with the left, shoots well with the right, and scores headers. As far as I'm concerned, Maradona was one of the best players ever. If you ask me, 'Was he better than Messi?' Yes, he was. Much better. (Franz) Beckenbauer, (Johan) Cruyff were also excellent players."