Mauricio Pochettino has launched a strong defence of Lionel Messi, saying that demanding Paris Saint-Germain supporters have judged one of the game's greats too harshly during a difficult debut campaign at Parc des Princes.
Messi has scored only four goals as PSG eased to the Ligue 1 title with weeks to spare, while the club failed to progress past the round of 16 in the Champions League - leading to supporters airing their disgust with one of the game's most expensively assembled squads, including the 34-year-old being booed by the club's ultras..
Pochettino was last week linked with a return to Tottenham Hotspur after another season in which the French side fell short of expectations in Europe but he has played down the possibility, saying that he is "100%" staying in Paris.
And now he has made a prediction that his compatriot could return to top form next season
"To judge Messi in this way is unfair," he said. "You can't talk about Messi that way. It is like when I talk about Maradona. I'm not talking about an ordinary player. Messi is on the same level as Diego Maradona.
"I have no doubts about his quality. Messi has enough talent to do what he has to do. He will do it. Next season will be completely different for him.
"It was a year of learning, and not just on a professional level coming to Paris Saint-Germain, in a new league and with new teammates, but also on a family level. You must take that into account. It is a significant upheaval that can affect a player."
Pochettino added that the change of environment after spending his entire career at Barcelona had taken a toll on Messi but he will feel more comfortable when next season kicks off.
"It is clear that the move from Barcelona to Paris Saint-Germain was a change in which a process of adaptation was necessary," Pochettino said. "Certain circumstances did not allow him to feel as comfortable as in Barcelona, where he had spent 20 years, where he had been the flagship player."
PSG still have three Ligue 1 fixtures remaining this season but thoughts may already be turning to the summer, with the future of Kylian Mbappe dominating their plans. Mbappe has said he will not make a decision on his next move until after the final game of the season against Metz on May 21.
The Frenchman's contract is due to expire at the end of June, with Real Madrid confident they can tempt him to the Bernabeu on a free transfer. Winning the Champions League remains PSG's ultimate ambition, while Messi is keen to land the trophy again, but Mbappe's departure would severely hamper their chances next term.
