Under-pressure Argentina coach Diego Maradona has claimed he has no problems with Lionel Messi.

Messi has been singled out as the scapegoat for Argentina's poor displays but Maradona has backed the Barcelona forward.

"We have given him a lot of responsibility and he has done the job I have asked him," Maradona said ahead of Saturday's friendly against Spain in Madrid.

"I am very happy with Messi," he added. "We have the best player in the world and we have to make the most of it. He has to be the boss of the team. He is in good shape and hungry."