Not old enough to have seen Maradona live but he always has struck me as having a huge ego and just generally looks like a self centred arsehole.
Messi is the GOAT though.
Neither have I but I have watched a lot of footage and read a lot of opinions from people (experts, former players etc.) that have seen both players in action.
I don't personally care about that much about the personal character of a footballer. I watch football to see footballers play. What they do besides playing football is not something that I care much about.
Besides I like people with a strong personality and Maradona is one such person. He does not strike me as a unpleasant person either. I don't know him though obviously.
To me Maradona had the bigger talent but I would rather have Messi on my team as he is very, very close to Maradona's top level but just much more consistent.
Maradona had too many off-field problems and he chose the wrong career path in terms of clubs IMO. If he had played for a top club or 2 for 10 years time he would have won much more on club level.
Still an insanely talented player. I don't think that I have seen a player with such a good technique. It's scary how similar Maradona and Messi are as players. Total opposites in terms of personality though.
Why not enjoy them both? Maradona is a former FCB player. No reason to dislike him at all.
Oh, I just realized that you are from England. That might be the reason why you dislike him.