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Icardi is no traitor: Tardelli defends Inter man after Maradona attack

The Azzurri legend wants Icardi to be judged for on-field matters, while stating his faith that Balotelli can be one of the world's best

World Cup-winning former Italy player Marco Tardelli believes criticism of Mauro Icardi is unjustified.

The Argentine has been the subject of a stinging verbal rebuke from compatriot Diego Maradona over the Inter captain's marriage to the ex-wife of former team-mate Maxi Lopez.

But Tardelli pointed out that he should be judged solely on what he does on the pitch.

"Icardi wants to live his life, he is not a traitor and nobody has to tell him what to think," he said of the 23-year-old to Omnisport .