Undoubtedly one of the greatest to ever take to a football pitch, Diego Maradona should be known more for his frightening ability with a ball than for his eccentric and often unwelcome outbursts.

The former Argentina international is never one to sit quietly when he has something to say and in his latest public comments he has been critical of Lionel Messi and his leadership capabilities.

Here, we take a look at his controversial comments on a range of topics.

Maradona on Messi

The most recent person the Argentine has hit out at is his countryman and his former player Messi.

"It's pointless making someone who goes to the toilet 20 times before a match into the leader," he said of the forward.

"Nobody doubts the value of Messi, but he's certainly not the best."

Maradona on Cristiano Ronaldo

"Cristiano Ronaldo gives you a goal and then sells you shampoo," the Argentinian said of the Portuguese.

Maradona has also expressed his desire for the Juventus star to be from Argentina himself.

"I would like for Cristiano Ronaldo to be Argentinian," he said.

"But I like Messi a lot more."

Maradona on US presidents

Never one to back down from a strongly-worded criticism, American presidents from the past and present have fallen victim to the ex-footballer.

"Bush is a murderer, I'd prefer being Fidel's [Castro] friend," he once said.

Donald Trump is another to have been the subject of an outburst from Maradona, who described the US president as "a puppet".

Maradona on Pele

Maradona and Pele are often put against each other as two of the game's all-time greats, and the Argentine has never backed down from verbally abusing the Brazilian.

"Neymar better than Messi?" he questioned.

"Pele took the wrong pill."

Maradona on FIFA, the AFA and football's directors

Unhappy with the state of Argentinian football, Maradona suggested a complete reform at the top.

"You need to throw a grenade at the AFA and make it all new," he said of the country's federation.

He also launched attacks on some of FIFA's big names from Joao Havelange to Sepp Blatter.

"I would call Joao Havelange's website thief.com," he said.

"Blatter loves me like a son... yes, like a son of a bitch," he said on another occasion.

Maradona on Jorge Sampaoli

The ex-Sevilla boss didn't have a successful stint with Argentina, and Maradona was not impressed.

"Everyone bought the idea that Sampaoli came with his computers, drones and 14 assistants, but Argentina don't do anything," he said, hitting out at the tactician's techniques.

Maradona on Menotti

Cesar Luis Menotti is often the subject of Maradona's frustration.

"I haven't, nor will I ever, forgive Menotti," he said on one occasion.

Maradona on Dani Alves

"He's a jerk, he tried 28 crosses and four were successful," the World Cup winner once said of Dani Alves.

"He talks because he's in a part of the pitch where he doesn't play football and if we keep talking about him I'm leaving."

Maradona on David Beckham

"Although Beckham has always been very busy with his Spice Girl, he sometimes found the time to play football very well," was Maradona's up-front take on the former Real Madrid player's marriage.

"However, he owes something to his national team."

Maradona on Sergio Ramos

His spat with Sergio Ramos is very recent and stemmed from Maradona's praise of Diego Godin.

"Don't get mad anymore Sergio Ramos, Godin is the best and nothing more," he said.

Maradona on Real Madrid

Through a comment on Jose Mourinho, Maradona managed to attack Real Madrid.

"Real Madrid was a whorehouse before Mourinho," the former Barcelona player said.

Maradona on Julen Lopetegui

He didn't sit on the fence during the Julen Lopetegui scandal just before the World Cup, taking the view that the coach shouldn't have committed to Real Madrid.

"It can't be that Lopetegui, representing his country, can sign a contract for a team in Spain," the FIFA ambassador said.

"Whatever it is, it's not about the team."

Maradona on Vicente Del Bosque

Despite winning major honours in charge of Spain and enjoying success throughout his career, Del Bosque didn't quite impress Maradona.

"Del Bosque leaves much to be desired as a coach," was his take.

Maradona on Peter Shilton

Rubbing salt in wounds that will never heal, Maradona was keen to remind the ex-England goalkeeper Peter Shilton of the most iconic moment of his career.

"I'll tell you a secret, Shilton, it was with my hand," he admitted, referring to his famous handball goal in 1986.

Maradona on the press

Maradona has always had a troubled relationship with the media, and he has never been shy of letting them know his thoughts.

"If you have to speak and lobby with journalists to be coach of the national team then I'll resign from my position," he stated.

Maradona on the Church

Not even religion is safe from his wrath, as was clear when he took aim at the Catholic church.

"When I entered the Vatican and saw all the gold I became a ball of fire," he said.

Maradona on homosexuality

Controversy and Maradona often go hand in hand, as was the case when he was asked if he had a problem with gay people.

"Am I against homosexuals? No way," he said.

"It is better that they exist because they leave more women free for those who are really macho."