Tough love.
Lionel Messi is probably the greatest footballer of all time, at least the best of his generation, and has won everything possible at club level.
The four-time Ballon d’Or winner was sensational last season, as Barcelona won the treble, scoring 58 goals in 57 appearances.
He briefly lit up the Copa America for Argentina, but was powerless to prevent Gonzalo Higuian miss an open goal and sky a penalty over the bar in the final.
Chile won the penalty shoot-out and Messi’s wait to deliver international glory to Argentina continues. Messi appeared, understandably, tired as the tournament progressed, and you’d imagine it’d be unfair to pin the blame for the defeat solely on the 28 year old.
His grandfather wouldn’t agree.
Antonio Cuccitini told Argentine radio that Messi was ‘lazy’ and essentially phoned it in during the closing stages of the tournament.
“Some of him was there,” Cuccitini said. “Triumphs are the greatest things there are. But the last three games he was bad. He was lazy.”
Some people are never pleased.
H/T 101 Great Goals.
