Mauricio Pochettino has said Lionel Messi has been judged unfairly in what has been a transitional season.

Messi was among the PSG stars booed after they were eliminated from the Champions League by Real Madrid. 

"To judge Messi in this way is unfair," Pochettino said.

"You can't talk about Messi that way. It is like when I talk about Maradona. I'm not talking about an ordinary player. Messi is on the same level as Diego Maradona.

"I have no doubts about his quality. Messi has enough talent to do what he has to do. He will do it. Next season will be completely different for him. It was a year of learning, and not just on a professional level coming to Paris Saint-Germain, in a new league and with new teammates, but also on a family level. You must take that into account. It is a significant upheaval that can affect a player."