Dani Alves: "Lionel Messi is lacking support at Barça"

Dani Alves gave an interview to Catalunya Rádio's 'Tot Gira' and spoke about Barça's current identity and the pressure being put on Lionel Messi.

The former full-back said the issues with Quique Setien's team are obvious. "What this Barça lacks is the identity it has always had, like Ronaldinho's Barça, our Barça. The identity of a team that dominates for 90 minutes, 100 minutes, or 150 minutes. Barça are there for people to enjoy. Now what I see, from the outside, is that Barça are just another team. They used to have an understanding throughout the team and made things look easy."

High praise for Leo Messi

Alves shared a team with Messi and understands why he was so angry following the defeat to Osasuna on Thursday. "Leo is a natural winner. He doesn't like losing. When the team loses it's normal he gets angry, he always wants to win. Just like me. We always want to win," insisted Alves.

Alves continued his praise for Leo: "He's been doing what he does for so long, he knows when a team gives one thing and when it gives another. That's why he says what works and what doesn't because he knows. He's spent so many years at Barça, experienced so many things, and he knows exactly what the team needs to win."

Messi needs his supporting cast to improve

Dani Alves believes what Messi needs are players who complement his style. "He sees, what I feel, and that's a lack of support. I'll always say that Messi is the main course and we were the perfect ingredients for that plate. Now I have the feeling that he's doing everything, all the time, and we must remember he's only human."