Only mental patients doubt Messi's talents, says Kempes

Argentina legend Mario Kempes has jumped to Lionel Messi's defence after the Barcelona star came in for criticism from another of the country's World Cup heroes, Diego Maradona.

Messi, Kempes and Maradona have all spearheaded the Albiceleste's journey to at least one World Cup final.

But where Kempes and Maradona prevailed, in 1978 and 1986, Leo saw his dreams shattered in 2014 when Germany downed Argentina in extra time.

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Maradona has recently cast doubt on Messi's leadership pretensions, with one of the most repeated statements referring to his "going to the bathroom 20 times before a game".