Lionel Messi's Father Defends Star's Performances for Argentina

Barcelona star Lionel Messi is facing criticism for his performances in the Argentina shirt, and his father Jorge has come to the defence of his son after the Albiceleste's loss against Chile in the final of the 2015 Copa America.  

Speaking to Diez Mas (h/t Goal.com's Mark Doyle), Jorge Messi lashed out at the critics, saying: "Many only understand failures and that forces them to see their own failings in others. 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."

Messi enjoyed a strong tournament for Argentina, in which he mainly acted as a distributor, but he was all but invisible in the final against Chile. It was the second straight major final Argentina lost, after the extra-time defeat at the hands of Germany during the 2014 World Cup.

The four-time Ballon d'Or winner scored just a single goal during regulation at the Copa America, a penalty against Paraguay, but he still impressed by linking up with team-mates. As shared by ESPN FC, his numbers from the final paled in comparison to what he did a round earlier:

Messi's sole major trophy in the national shirt came during the 2008 Beijing Olympics, and since then, the 28-year-old hasn't been able to replicate his tremendous success with Barcelona on the international stage.

Despite that, compatriot Ezequiel Lavezzi is certain his time will come, per Sky Sports Football:

Messi is still in the prime of his career, and he will have plenty of opportunities to win international silverware in the future. If he ever manages to get hold of the World Cup, he'll finally get to silence the doubters, who often use his struggles during Argentina's biggest matches as an argument against him in the debate of the greatest player of all time.

He's been compared to Diego Maradona his entire life, and the latter managed to carry Argentina to a historic World Cup win in 1986. Until Messi matches that feat, the doubters won't fall silent.

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