It's my dream to coach Messi at Barcelona: Maradona

"My little dream would be one day to coach Leo at Barca," Maradona told Marca in an interview published yesterday.

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 - including a Champions League loss at AC Milan and a pair of reverses to Real Madrid. "I don't think you have the right to ‘kill' Messi on the basis of two poor games given all his goals across the season," said Maradona.

Diego Maradona

Maradona said he regretted Barca's mini slump and also the departure of Pep Guardiola as coach at the end of last season. "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," said Maradona claiming Barca appeared "tired," perhaps due to of poor preparation for the season.