You don8217;t have the right to kill Messi,says Maradona

Maradona,world champion in 1986,has already coached Messi during a two-year spell in charge of the national side culminating in a disappointing 2010 World Cup.

The 52-year-old meanwhile defended Messi,who has come in for some rare criticism in recent games 8211; including a Champions League loss at AC Milan and a pair of reverses to Real Madrid.

8220;I don8217;t think you have the right to 8216;kill8217; Messi on the basis of two poor games given all his goals across the season,8221; said Maradona.

Although Barca have a healthy lead atop La Liga,their 2-0 loss to the Milanese threatens to end this season8217;s European ambitions and Maradona said he regretted their mini slump and also the departure of Pep Guardiola as coach at the end of last season.

8220;Barca have lost it totally with his departure. Instead of three touches of the ball and then a shot on goal they are now doing something else. They indulge in senseless touches,8221; opined Maradona,who himself had mixed fortunes in Catalonia.

He won a Spanish Cup but stayed only for two injury-hit seasons before going on to find greater success and acclaim with Napoli.

Maradona said in his view Barca appeared 8220;tired,8221; perhaps because of poor preparation for the season.

8220;Barca had a very bad pre-season. They went off to play friendlies for which they were paid a small fortune in China,Malaysia,or wherever,8221; he sniffed.