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Soccer Icon Diego Maradona Joins Those Defending Lionel Messi

Diego Maradona joined the soccer fans around the world who support Lionel Messi's recently announced retirement from the Argentinian national team.
Argentines beg Lionel Messi to Stay After Retirement
People stand under the rain waiting for the arrival of Argentina's football team from the Copa America Centenario held in the United States, on June 27, 2016 in Buenos Aires (Photo credit should read EITAN ABRAMOVICH/AFP/Getty Images)EITAN ABRAMOVICH / AFP/Getty Images

Lionel Messi's decision to retire from Argentina's national team after he missed his penalty during the 2016 Copa America Final against Chile has been stirring up a boiling pot of mixed emotions. Most recently, Argentinian fútbol icon Diego Maradona backed up Messi's decision.

"I want to fight side-by-side with Messi against all the coaches who have abandoned him", Maradona said in an interview with Argentinian newspaper La Nación.

"They left him alone and I won't be one of them, leaving him by himself," Maradona added.

As fútbol fans know, it's a big deal for Maradona to support the younger player who has achieved as many records as Maradona except one glaring thing — lifting a title for his country. This was Messi's third straight major competition loss for Argentina.

Argentina's Coach Diego Maradona Hugs Messi
Argentina's coach Diego Maradona hugs Argentina's striker Lionel Messi after the 2010 World Cup quarter final Argentina vs Germany on July 3, 2010 at Green Point stadium in Cape Town. Germany won 4-0 (Photo credit should read DANIEL GARCIA/AFP/Getty Images)DANIEL GARCIA / AFP/Getty Images

After the loss to Chile, Messi, who is known the world over for his stranglehold on European soccer as the star player for FC Barcelona, fell to the floor in tears. The emotions on his face not only resembled the personal struggle he's had as a player for his native country's team, but also the struggle of a nation that year after year tastes victory, only to have it snatched out of its mouth in the end.

According to the BBC, Argentina's President Mauricio Macri said he called Messi to tell him "how proud he feels of the national team's performance and asked him not to listen to the criticism."

Maradona continued to comment not only on Messi but also about the Argentinian Fútbol Association.

"Those saying he should quit don't want us to see what a disaster Argentinean football has become," Maradona told La Nación.

RELATED: Latino Soccer Fans React to Chile's Triumph, Lionel Messi's Heartbreak

In the U.S., most fans, especially those who support Barcelona, agreed with Maradona about Messi's decision.

"Messi should be supported as the best player in the world, and it is not fair to criticize him when titles are not won. Fans should be proud Argentina makes it that far every tournament due to having the best player in the world Lionel Messi", said Colombian soccer fan, Jorge D Acosta Maury, 22, from Hawthorne, New Jersey.

Argentinian Fans Supporting Lionel Messi in Buenos Aires, Argentina
People wait for the arrival of Argentina's football team from the Copa America Centenario held in the United States, on June 27, 2016 in Buenos Aires. Argentina lost the final against Chile 4-2 in the penalty shoot-out (Photo credit should read EITAN ABRAMOVICH/AFP/Getty Images)EITAN ABRAMOVICH / AFP/Getty Images

But as Northeastern University student, Viviano Cantu, 20, from Nuevo Laredo, Mexico told NBC Latino, this was not the case in Argentina, as he observed during his last trip there.

"When I went to Argentina, Messi wasn't really loved," said Cantu. "He was disliked because he played in Europe and not the Argentinian league. So I agree with him leaving since he's not exactly loved in Argentina right now, especially after that penalty."

But Cantu acknowledges the tables seem to be turning for Messi, even in Argentina, and soccer fans are rallying to his support following the traumatic loss.

Twitter erupted after Messi announced his retirement. Fans from around the world started to show their support. Even in Argentina where many would say he had fewer fans, the public cried out with hashtags such as #notevayasmessi (don't go Messi) #quedatemessi (stay Messi) #messiteamo (I love you Messi) #messielmejor (Messi the best).

One tweet in particular seemed to touch the hearts of soccer fans everywhere. The tweet from a little boy reads, "My dearest Messi: Even though I am little I don't give up. You're great, so you shouldn't give up either."

Lionel Messi Statue Unveiled in Buenos Aires
Young men play with a ball in front of Lionel Messi statue at Paseo de la Gloria on June 28, 2016 in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Lionel Messi has announced his retirement from international football following a loss in Copa America final match against Chile. (Photo by Amilcar Orfali/LatinContent/Getty Images)Amilcar Orfali / LatinContent/Getty Images

Argentina recently unveiled a bronze statue of the legendary forward. In recent days, more and more Argentinians are hoping he will reverse his decision before the upcoming 2016 Olympics in Rio.

Some fans agree with Maradona's comments that Messi cannot be entirely blamed for the country's string of losses. Some factors that should be taken into account, say some fans, is the performances of the other players.

"It is difficult to know what is going on politically in the Argentinian Fútbol Association, but if it really is that bad then maybe Messi should take a leave and return when everything is stabilized. There are other players potentially following his path, so it shows how widespread the problem is", said Daniel Arvidsson, 21, from Sao Paulo Brazil.

Up next for Argentina is the 2016 Olympics in Rio, where with or without Messi, the country hopes to finally take home a first-place medal.

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