Barcelona star Lionel Messi has come under huge criticism for his inability to replicate his unstoppable Barcelona form when performing for his national side this year.
This was all sparked when the 28-year-old put in a torrid display in the Copa America final clash with Chile, as La Albiceleste lost yet another final under the guide of La Pulga, which led to some calling for him to be stripped of his captaincy, and legend Maradona questioning his loyalty towards his country.
However, fellow South American and Spanish Primera Division star Diego Godin has a different take as to why the four-time Ballon d’Or winner faces this conundrum. According to the Atletico Madrid center-back, in Spain, defenders care more about grabbing selfies with Leo than stopping him.
When playing in South America, however, Godin feels that the competition bar is raised higher and mark the Blaugrana striker to the very end.
Speaking to Uruguay television Teledoce, Godin said: "It's different in South America. There they mark him a lot more.
“Sometimes we mess around, among teammates, and we say: In Spain before playing the games they take a photo with him, a little joke, but it's the truth.
“People compete a lot more [in South America] and they mark him a lot tighter as well.”
Godin also shed light on how the different styles of play have prevented Messi from bamboozling defenders as he does on a regular basis when playing in Spain.
"[With Argentina] he has to come deeper and he has to break through two lines of players instead of just one, so it is more complicated for him,” the Uruguayan added.
“The pitches are different, too. It's an accumulation of things that mean Messi's numbers with Barca don't translate to the national team.”
The Rojiblancos ace must have forgotten about Jamaican player Deshorn Brown who famously snapped a selfie with Messi during the Copa America after his team’s 1-0 loss to Gerardo Martino’s crew.
