Lionel Messi is overly protected by the media and the Spanish league, a rival has claimed.
Atletico Madrid defender Filipe Luis was sent off for a tackle on the Argentine forward in what was effectively a title decider last month.
It swung the game irreversibly in Barcelona’s favour, handing them a 2-1 win and an almost insurmountable lead at the top of La Liga.
But the Brazilian full-back has claimed it wasn’t a violent challenge and that Messi is given special treatment:
“I didn’t arrive late, I went for the ball,” the 30-year-old told Brazil’s Esporte Interactivo.
“But this was with Messi – [even though] this tackle happens in every game.
“Here he is ‘the protected one’ by the press and La Liga.
“Obviously nobody wants one of the best players of all time to be out and miss the opportunity to see him playing, that’s where all of this came from.”
Atletico beat Valencia 3-1 on Sunday night to pull Barcelona’s eleven-point lead back to just eight.
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