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PARIS. – Diego Maradona has launched a shock attack on Lionel Messi claiming that he has “no personality”. The 55-year-old was joined by Brazil legend Pele during a Euro 2016 preview event in Paris on Thursday and admitted that he has doubts about his compatriot. Pele asked Maradona if he knew Messi personally to which the 1986 World Cup winner responded with a surprise reaction.

“He’s a really good person, but he has no personality,” Maradona said.

“He lacks (the) character to be a leader.”

Pele responded: “Ah, I get it, he’s not like we were back in the days. In the 70s we (Brazil) had really good players like Rivellino, Gerson, Tostao.

“Not like Argentina now, which depends only on Messi. He (Maradona) is saying that Messi is a good player, there’s no doubt about it, but he has no personality.”

Messi’s commitment to the national team in Argentina has occasionally come into question.

His only major international honour is a gold medal at the 2008 Olympics, having lost out in two Copa America finals and one World Cup final.

And he was absent for this country’s Copa America opener against Chile earlier this week, which Argentina won 2-1.

Maradona and Pele appeared to put their differences aside as they shared an historic hug in Paris.

They appeared to share a joke on stage as the specially-invited audience watched on.

“I want to thank Pele, we know who he is and who he will always be. We need icons like him,” Maradona declared to the audience.

Pele (75), the only man his history to win the World Cup three times, later had his arm hoisted into the air by Maradona as the watching crowds cheered.

“The most important is the message of peace,” said Pele.

“Many thanks to my friend Maradona for this opportunity and a big round of applause to the players who have been here today. This is a moment of peace.”

Maradona and Pele famously rowed after an online FIFA vote to decide the greatest player of the 20th Century back in 2000 – an award that was later shared.

Maradona entertained the crowds with a 30-minute cameo in the five-a-side football match.

Pele was unable to take to the pitch, as he is still recovering from a hip operation, but coached from the sidelines.

Fernando Hierro, Roberto Baggio, Clarence Seedorf, Bebeto, Dida, David Trezeguet, Marco Materazzi and Hernan Crespo were also in attendance just one day before Euro 2016 begins.

Thursday’s event was a far cry from the acrimony between Pele and Maradona when FIFA was trying to decide the player of the 20th Century in 2000.

The world body organised an online vote which Maradona easily won. But FIFA thought the online users at the time were too young and so the vote was skewed in Maradona’s favour.

It then organised a vote by readers of the FIFA magazine and cast by an international jury. This time Pele won by a landslide.

FIFA decided to split the award and named Pele and Maradona as the two greatest players of all time.

“I had the vote of the people, Pele won by forfeit,” said Maradona, who walked out of a Rome gala so he did not see the Brazilian collect his award.

Maradona later accused Pele of letting his former Brazil teammate Garrincha “die in misery”. Pele responded that Maradona was “sick”.

Maradona thrilled the crowd at the Palais Royal with a cameo appearance in the 30-minute five-a-side contest. Pele, still recovering from a hip operation in January, remained in his coaching role on the touchline.

The event, organised by a Swiss watchmaker with UEFA, featured the likes of former France striker David Trezeguet, Italy goalkeeper Angelo Peruzzi and Dutch midfielder Clarence Seedorf.

Ex-Brazil forward Bebeto, a 1994 World Cup winner, also took part alongside Rio Ferdinand, Dida, Hernan Crespo and Fernando Hierro as the match finished in a diplomatic 8-8 draw. – The Mirror.