BARCELONA: Criticism of Lionel Messi following Argentina’s Copa America exit is “totally exaggerated” and having decent pitches would have helped him play better, his Barcelona team mate Xavi said on Wednesday.
“Leo is the best footballer in the world and unfortunately for him when things are not going well (for Argentina) criticism is directed his way,” Xavi told a news conference.
“The criticism is totally exaggerated as he had a fantastic Copa America despite the setback of Argentina’s elimination,” the Spain playmaker added.
As the reigning World Player of the Year, Argentines were looking to Messi to lead them to their first major success since their Copa triumph in Ecuador in 1993.
Xavi said some of the pitches at the Copa were “not at all in good condition” and the situation was “a shame for soccer”.
“It’s fundamental that the grass is in good shape,” he said. “On a pitch in bad condition everything becomes more equal, physically, in terms of talent, technically.”
Xavi also defended himself against criticism from Arsene Wenger after the Arsenal manager accused him of disrespect over comments he made about Cesc Fabregas. “It seems absurd to me,” Xavi told a news conference at Barca’s training ground outside the Catalan capital on Wednesday.
“I was only acting in the interest of Cesc and of Barca,” the 31-year-old World Cup winner added. (Agencies)
