delighted with Lionel Messi's performance
Messi produced a mesmerising performance in Argentina's 1-0 win over Nigeria in Group B at the World Cup and was unlucky not to have been rewarded with a goal.
Maradona was understandably pleased with his star player's showing and was effusive in his praise of the 22-year-old's ability.
"I want Messi to be very close to the ball. As long as he has fun, then we are all going to have fun," Maradona said. "Football wouldn't be beautiful unless Messi is touching the ball all the time. He performed magic today on the pitch."
Messi made a string of trademark slaloming runs and curled two left-footed shots that were brilliantly saved by goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama, who almost single-handedly kept Argentina at bay.
Enyeama said he had done his homework on Argentina's leading man.
"I've been watching his games in the Spanish league. I got some inside information," Enyeama said. "But he's still the best I've faced in my career."
And it's not just the opposition who were in awe of Messi's display.
"Incredible. Messi is fantastic. Unbelievable," said Argentina right back Jonás Gutiérrez.
Messi comes into the World Cup fresh from another impressive season with Barcelona, in which he scored a career-best 43 goals and won the Spanish title for the second season in succession.
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