Monday, December 18
 
 

Gabriel Batistuta: 'Argentina have not adapted to Lionel Messi'

Former Argentina striker Gabriel Batistuta believes that Barcelona have adapted to Lionel Messi better than his country, and so have yielded more reward.

Former Argentina striker Gabriel Batistuta said that he believes Lionel Messi has enjoyed more success with Barcelona than his national team due to his club adapting to his style of football.

Messi has established himself as one of the greatest footballers in history during his time at Camp Nou, helping Barcelona to four Champions League titles, eight La Liga crowns and five Copas del Rey in addition to a plethora of individual honours.

The only honour Messi has won for Argentina came at the 2008 Olympics, though, and Batistuta believes that the five-time Ballon d'Or winner is better set up to succeed at club level.

When asked why Messi is better in La Liga, Batistuta told Marca: "Basically because Barcelona have adapted to his way of playing.

"Players like Ronaldinho, Xavi, Neymar and others have come and gone but nothing has changed. The same with the coaches as they all look for the best team to play around him.

"At the same time it is not as easy to play Brazil or Germany as it is to face Eibar. Everything is more complicated with the national team."

Despite Messi's relative lack of success for his country, the 30-year-old is still Argentina's leading goalscorer of all time and has appeared in the finals of the World Cup and Copa America at international level.

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La Liga Table
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Barcelona1613304273542
2Atletico MadridAtletico1610602571836
3Valencia16104236162034
4Real Madrid1594230111931
5Sevilla169251919029
6Villarreal167362320324
7GironaGirona166552022-223
8EibarEibar166371828-1021
9Getafe165562016420
10Real Sociedad165562828020
11Leganes156271214-220
12Celta Vigo165382724318
13Athletic Bilbao164661619-318
14Real Betis155372329-618
15Levante163851522-717
16Espanyol164571321-817
17Deportivo La CorunaDeportivo164391831-1315
18AlavesAlaves1640121225-1312
19Malaga1532101328-1511
20Las PalmasLas Palmas1632111336-2311
Scroll for more - Tap for full version

Subscribe to our Newsletter


Transfer Talk Daily
Match previews - twice weekly
Morning Briefing (7am UTC)
Get the latest transfer news, match previews and news direct to your inbox!
La Liga Table
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Barcelona1613304273542
2Atletico MadridAtletico1610602571836
3Valencia16104236162034
4Real Madrid1594230111931
5Sevilla169251919029
6Villarreal167362320324
7GironaGirona166552022-223
8EibarEibar166371828-1021
9Getafe165562016420
10Real Sociedad165562828020
11Leganes156271214-220
12Celta Vigo165382724318
13Athletic Bilbao164661619-318
14Real Betis155372329-618
15Levante163851522-717
16Espanyol164571321-817
17Deportivo La CorunaDeportivo164391831-1315
18AlavesAlaves1640121225-1312
19Malaga1532101328-1511
20Las PalmasLas Palmas1632111336-2311
Scroll for more - Tap for full version

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