Amid Egyptian accusations against the International Federation of Association Football (FIFA) of favoring Argentine star Lionel Messi after the recent match between the two teams in the round of 16 of the World Cup, previous statements by the late legend Diego Armando Maradona on this matter have resurfaced.

Argentina defeated Egypt 3-2, in a match that witnessed significant refereeing controversy, especially regarding the third goal of the tango and the Pharaohs' demand for a penalty kick for Mohamed Salah at the beginning of the game.

After the match, Hossam Hassan, the technical director of the Egyptian national team, stated that the tournament is biased toward Argentina and that they want Messi to continue in the tournament for marketing reasons and the like.

Hours after this uproar, an old video of Argentina's legend Maradona spread, in which he spoke in a television interview about FIFA favoring Messi by awarding him the Best Player award in the 2014 World Cup.

Maradona said in the video clip, which was widely circulated on social media: 'I would have given Messi paradise. But it is not right for someone to win something he does not deserve just because of a marketing plan.'

He continued: 'When marketing experts want to make him win something he hasn't won, that is not fair, because Arjen Robben had an exceptional tournament, because Müller himself made an incredible sacrifice in the match against Argentina... isn't that so?'

Maradona added: 'And James Rodríguez... I liked James.'

The host replied: 'Well, and James Rodríguez.'

Then Maradona said: 'That's for me too... Now we agree that James Rodríguez was the best player of the 2014 World Cup.'

It is worth noting that Germany won the title in 2014, defeating Argentina 1-0, while Colombian James Rodríguez won the Golden Boot, topping the goalscorers list with 6 goals.