Lionel Messi’s father has defended his son following the criticism leveled at the FC Barcelona forward for the Copa America final loss with Argentina.
Lionel Messi was left heartbroken after Argentina suffered an agonizing penalty shoot-out defeat to Chile in the Copa America final.
It was the second time in 12 months that the FC Barcelona star had finished on the losing side in a major final following Argentinaa s extra-time loss to Germany at the World Cup 2014 in Brazil.
a This generation is desperate to win a title with the national team,a Messi had said before the final of Copa America against Chile.
a As a team, we deserve to win something and it would mean so much after the World Cup where we came so close.a
The FC Barcelona star has taken to his social media account to express his disappointment and thank the fans after Argentinaa s 22-year wait for a major silverware was extended by Chile in the Copa America final.
.
Messi has come under widespread criticism for Argentinaa s failure despite scoring his own penalty as well as almost winning the game for Argentina with an incredible run in the dying minutes that was followed up by team mate Lavezzi setting up Gonzalo Higuain, only to miss the goal from a yard out.
His father, has now come out in the defense of Messi, saying that criticism on FC Barcelona superstar is harsh: “Many only understand failures and that forces them to see their own failings in others,” Messi Senior told Diez Mas. Unfortunately, we live in a world of show and harsh criticism sells better than constructive criticism.
“But Leo just plays football and stops worrying about the rest.”
Jorge Messi also revealed that his son has always been a quiet, humble character.
“Lionel grew and grew up in a family like any other in Argentina, where everything is achieved with sacrifice and respect,” he added.
“Our culture, our country, is like this: everything is achieved through sacrifice and that will forge your values.
“He never did anything mischievous when he was young because he was always a good boy. Naughty, yes, but never difficult!
“It was hard for him to leave [Argentina for Barcelona at 13], but that has to do with what I have been saying: We are a family that has managed to do things thanks to sacrifice.”