Maradona backs Barca over Real rivals

Argentina coach Diego Maradona is backing former club Barcelona to hold off the challenge of big-spending Real Madrid this season - and believes the injury currently sidelining Cristiano Ronaldo could prove costly to the capital club.

Madrid splashed out around 250million euros on new talent this summer in a bid to wrest the initiative back off arch-rivals Barca both domestically and in Europe, but despite that Maradona believes Pep Guardiola can sleep easy in the knowledge his side still hold the upper hand.

Barca only boast a one-point lead over Madrid at the top of the Primera Division standings after 10 matches, but Manuel Pellegrini's men have stumbled of late and on Tuesday were dumped out of the Copa del Rey by third tier Alcorcon after losing 4-1 on aggregate.

Asked if he thought that at this point Madrid could fight Barcelona for their league and Champions League titles, Maradona told Spanish newspaper Marca: 'Honestly, no. I say what I feel, and Barcelona are a team in which everybody knows what they have to do. They play from memory and the Real Madrid of the Copa del Rey left me with many doubts.

'The players didn't really know what to do on the pitch. I don't want this to be interpreted as a sharp criticism or as advice to anyone. I only say what I see and talk strictly about football.'

Maradona, who is in Madrid as his Argentina side take on Spain in a friendly tonight, also feels that the injury to Ronaldo is a significant blow for the Whites.

Ronaldo has missed Madrid's last nine competitive matches due to an ankle injury, with the Spanish giants winning just four times in his absence.

Prior to that injury, Ronaldo had scored nine goals in the opening seven games of the season, all of which Madrid won.

Maradona, who played for Barca between 1982-84, added: 'I wish Pellegrini the best, but I think Guardiola can sleep calmly. They have already made their team and to top it all they have a magnificent squad. They also have (Lionel) Messi.

'As well as that, Madrid have an injured Cristiano. This is a very big advantage for Barca. I also think Barca right now are the best team in the world without doubt.'

Ronaldo also has to sit out Portugal's World Cup play-off double-header against Bosnia-Herzegovina over the coming days, but it could be that the £80million man will be available again for Madrid before the end of November.

The nine-times European champions are back in action against Racing Santander next weekend, before hosting FC Zurich in the Champions League a few days after that.

Madrid then finish the month with 'El Clasico' against Barca at the Nou Camp - a match which could pit superstars Ronaldo and Messi against each other again.

Asked who he thought was the best between the two players, Maradona said: 'I would want
both of them in my team, without doubt.

'I think Cristiano did incredible things at Manchester United and deserves all my respect, but I honestly think Leo is still on the rise in his career and can decide games more. He has the ball tied to his foot.'