The man Barcelona soccer star Lionel Messi is arguably most compared to is blasting him as less than a great leader.

"He is a great person, but he has no personality," Argentine star Diego Maradona said of Messi while recently in Paris to promote the European Championship. "He doesn't have the personality to be a leader."

Messi Still Searching for First Major Title

A five-time Ballon d'Or winner, Messi nonetheless has absorbed his share of criticism based on his team having not won any major titles with him as their best player.

By comparison, Maradona sparked the Argentines to World Cup glory in 1986, while Messi again missed out on the World Cup two years ago by virtue of a stunning loss to Germany in the final.

Earlier this week, Messi sat out on his team's Copa America match with a back injury, though he is expected to return to action as soon as his team's June 10, match against Panama.

Over his 21-year career, Maradona won league titles with Boca Juniors in Argentina and Serie A giants Napoli. Messi has won seven La Liga crowns, four Champions League titles and three Copa del Rey titles.

Maradona Sings Ronaldo's Praises

That doesn't seem enough for Maradona, who projected Real Madrid star forward Cristiano Ronaldo to be the headliner of Euro 2016.

"Cristiano without a doubt, is the star," he said. "He's one of those players who can single-handedly put his team in the final. He is football culture. Anyone who likes football, likes Cristiano."

Maradona also has an appreciation for Ronaldo's demeanor, adding that his style and makeup renders him oblivious to pressure.

"Pressure? I don't think a player of his experience is under pressure in a tournament," he said. "The ones who should feel pressure are the defenses that have to mark him in the game."

Still, Maradona sees the tournament as being anyone's to win.

"Favorites? In football there are no small rivals," he said. "Anyone can surprise you in a game. I see a lot of teams that can do well, but the ball will decide."

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