"Barcelona" and the Spanish national team defender Jordi Alba defended the striker Lionel Messi from sharp criticism. The Argentine national team stumbles in the World Cup, and the 31-year-old player has not scored a single goal so far. "I can't imagine it. He is criticized and I don't understand why. The Argentine team is undoubtedly a better team with Lionel than without him. They should be proud to have Messi among them. The striker is a unique player who, unfortunately, has not won three finals, but it's not easy. We should respect what he has done for the Argentine national team," Alba said. Jorge Sampaoli's team still has hopes to advance from Group D - everything will be decided in the last round, when they will face Nigeria."
