Former Barcelona defender Juliano Belletti has displayed his admiration for Lionel Messi in a recent interview with Sport.
Messi was criticised by some fans and members of the press after his performance in the Copa America final against Chile but Belletti is undeterred in his support.
“Messi is the Pele of this generation. I do not understand the criticism by Argentina fans of one of their own. You can not criticize a player like Messi. But so did Brazil fans with Ronaldinho.”
Belletti also defended Neymar after the Brazilian captain was sent off in the Copa America for a headbutt.
“He’s young. People think he’s older than he really is. He he still has time to mature. He needs to rest well and have good vacation because he had a busy season last year.”
