Football legends Diego Maradona and Pele set aside their differences and made peace Thursday ahead of the European Championships — at least with each other.

At an event in Paris dubbed "The Friendship Game," Maradona had some less than flattering things to say about fellow Argentine Lionel Messi.

"He's a great person, but he has no personality. He doesn't have the personality to be a leader."

Maradona made the remarks after Pele inquired as to whether he knew Messi well. It's not clear whether Maradona realized at the time that his mic was on.

The timing, nevertheless, seems odd as Messi is about to make his return to the national team on Friday, of which he is the captain, following a back injury he sustained in May.

In a recent interview with Marca​, Pele was also seen as being critical of current Brazilian star Neymar when he said: "I've known Neymar since he was little and many years ago his coaches told me he was very good. That is so but he doesn't have the quality of Ronaldo or Messi. If I had to say who the number one player is today, I would say Lionel."

Maradona and Pele, who have had their own verbal battles in the past, had kinder words for each other at today's event than they did for the current generation of stars.

"It is really nice to see him like this, healthy, and being able to join us," said Maradona of the 75-year-old Pele, who underwent a hip surgery in January. "I'm happy that he's fine. We should hang together always. And enough of the fighting, enough of the barbs between us."

"I want to thank Pele. We know who he is and who he will always be. We need icons like him," added the 55-year-old Maradona, who in the past delivered controversial verbal attacks on the Brazilian.

The three-time world champion nodded in agreement: "This is moment of peace. What we're doing is something for peace and unity. I want to thank my friend Maradona for this opportunity."