Diego Maradona has returned to defend Lionel Messi after Argentina’s Copa America final defeat and the decision of the Barca striker to announce his retirement from international football.The 55-year-old - coinciding with the 30-year anniversary of Argentina’s 1986 World Cup triumph - spoke to ‘La Red’ about the scrutiny that Messi endures for the Albiceleste and why the player needs time and space to think about his judement.‘Those who criticise [Messi] have never kicked a ball in their lives,’ Maradona said, ‘Argentina lost the other two [World Cup and Copa America] finals and Messi said ‘I’m going on holiday, leave me alone and I’ll think about things’ and I think that’s great.‘They have to build a future with Messi in mind. And if he doesn’t want [to be part of that], don`t bother him anymore, we’ll have to present a different team on the pitch. I would ask Messi to consider returning in a month.’