Brazil full-back Daniel Alves believes Lionel
Messi struggles to replicate his Barcelona form on the
international stage because the Argentina squad is inferior to that
at the Nou Camp.
FIFA World Player of the year Messi was the top scorer in Spain
last season and the creative force behind the Catalan giants
retaining their Primera Division crown.
Yet he has rarely shown such brilliance in an Argentina
shirt.
Alves, who plays just behind Messi at Barca, was quick to point
the finger at Brazil's South American rivals by suggesting Diego
Maradona's players are not able to bring the best out of the
22-year-old.
He told The Times: "I think the reason Messi has difficulties
with Argentina is because there is no comparison between Barcelona
and Argentina.
"With all respect to the players in Argentina, there is no
comparison between the two.
"At Barcelona, he has players of his level."
Messi goes into the tournament widely recognised as the best
player in the world. Yet Alves feels there is too much pressure on
the Rosario-born star.
"Messi is young," he added.
"He has to carry the nation on his back and it's a big
responsibility.
"He is too good a person, he never complains about
anything."
football365.com
