Former Real Madrid boss and Manchester United assistant coach has joked that footballing legend Lionel Messi should be banned by FIFA, in a move which would help his Iran side in this summer’s World Cup!

Argentina and Iran will go head-to-head in the Group Stages in Russia – four years on from when a stoppage-time Messi strike gave the South American side a 1-0 victory against the minnows in Brazil.

“I’ve always said that Messi is an extraordinary player,” Iran boss Queiroz said, when asked about the five-time Ballon d’Or winner in an interview with FIFA.com. “He’s out of this world. If he were human, he wouldn’t have had that magical moment in that match.

“I don’t usually like losing, but I didn’t come away from that defeat with a negative feeling. It’s when something magical like that happens that you know that football is alive and kicking, and that’s why it’s one of the best sports in the world to watch.

“And it’s even more of a special moment when it comes from a player who shouldn’t be allowed to play by FIFA until it’s proven that he’s actually human!”