Asked at a Rio press conference whether he would like a foreigner to play in the Selecao, he replied: "I would love to have a Messi or (Portugal star) Cristiano Ronaldo rejected in their country and then able to play with the national squad.

"If Messi did not play for Argentina, I would love to have him (with us). I would prefer Messi to Diego (Maradona), even though Diego is also my friend," he added with a chuckle.