Dani Alves defends Messi following criticism for Liverpool defeat
"When it comes to football, I don't think you can speak badly of Messi"
He wasn't able to stay quiet. Dani Alves has come out in the press to defend Lionel Messi in an interview with ESPN.
For the Brazilian, the Argentine doesn't deserve the criticism which has come his way following Barça's loss to Liverpool in the Champions League.
"After the first leg, he was out of this world, an alien -- however you want to say it," he said. "But I still think the one untouchable person in football is Leo [Messi] because of what he brings to the game.
"Even if things don't turn out well, Leo's always fine. But this is a team sport and everyone has his responsibility. Cristiano [Ronaldo], Leo and Neymar get the cover when things go well for their teams, but they also have to be on the cover when things don't go well.
"They're not going to write a headline that says: 'Eliminated' with Dani on the cover. No, they are part of it too. So for better or for worse, they are the ones who will be on the cover.
"When it comes to football, I don't think you can speak badly of Messi."
