Overall Lionel Messi had a really poor 2018-19 season with Barcelona where they were knocked out of the Champions League in humiliating fashion.
Barcelona might have won the La Liga with considerable ease but Liverpool literally took the mickey out of them in the UCL – especially at Anfield.
And now it seems that the effects of these poor performances have trickled down to the Copa America where Lionel Messi is once again having a poor outing with Argentina.
The South American giants did manage to beat Qatar in the final group game but now former Manchester United manager Louis Van Gaal has come out to claim that Barcelona have failed to win the Champions League largely due to Lionel Messi.
“I believe that there is nothing more important than the team player,” said Van Gaal.
“Barca suffer from that. I think Messi should ask himself how it is possible that he’s gone so long without winning a Champions League.
“Look at Barcelona. How many Champions Leagues have they won with the one everybody says is the best player in the world? Look at Neymar at PSG. How many Champions Leagues has he won?
“He’s the best individual player in the world because his stats are amazing. But why hasn’t he won a Champions League for five years?
“As captain, you have to ask yourself why the team doesn’t win in Europe. I think that Messi is also responsible for what is happening at Barcelona, not just the coach.
“They have a squad of 30 players and I believe that Messi should adapt himself to the team, and not the other way around.”
Barcelona last won the UCL back in the 2014-15 season when Lionel Messi and co beat Juventus 3-1 in Berlin.
But since then, the Catalans had to part ways with the likes of Iniesta and the effects have been largely negative.
Lionel Messi has been left on his own and at times it looks like the whole burden of carrying the side has come on him. While this has been used as an excuse by many to justify Messi and Barca’s poor show in Europe but clearly Van Gaal is having none of that.
The former Barcelona manager is neither sympathising with the Argentinian wizard nor has he chosen to mince his words.
