The mercurial Argentine, Lionel Messi, was beaten by Real Madrid star Cristiano Ronaldo to win the Best FIFA Men’s Player prize yesterday, and he has been lashed heavily by Diego Maradona and Real Madrid legends Roberto Carlos and Michel Salgado.
“I’m disappointed with Messi, from watching television at home you cannot fight anything or anyone – here you can fight,” Maradona said. “I do not know why Barcelona did not come to such an important event. They have priorities and the priority was for Leo not to come. I think coming here [Zurich] they could fight more than they would in Barcelona.”
Madrid legend Roberto Carlos was also irked by Barca’s decision, suggesting Messi could learn humility from Ronaldo.“I am sad and disappointed that Leo and his team-mates have not come. They have many great footballers and all of us would have liked to see them attend,” Carlos said.
“Cristiano has learned the importance of this and I think Leo also needs to learn that he must be here. This has to change. Real Madrid also have a match this week but they are well represented in Zurich. The obligations to win for both clubs are the same.”
