MX23RW : Wednesday, May 15 19:13:03| >> :120:6201:6201:

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

Batistuta: 'Argentina must adapt to Messi'
© Offside
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.

ID:314035: cacheID:314035:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:2546:
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Philippe Coutinho puts his side back in front during the Premier League game between Liverpool and Everton on April 1, 2017
Read Next:
Ronaldinho: 'Coutinho can replace Neymar'
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
CReal Madrid36296183226193
2Barcelona35237572432976
3GironaGirona36236775453075
4Atletico MadridAtletico35224964392570
5Athletic Bilbao351711757352262
6Real BetisBetis35141384641555
7Real Sociedad351412948371154
8Villarreal36149136060051
9Valencia35139133739-248
10Getafe351013124148-743
11AlavesAlaves36119163445-1142
12Sevilla351011144749-241
13Osasuna36118174054-1441
14Las PalmasLas Palmas35107183044-1437
15Mallorca36715142941-1236
16Rayo Vallecano35714142743-1635
17Celta Vigo35810174053-1334
18CadizCadiz35514162449-2529
RGranada3549223668-3221
RAlmeria35211223570-3517


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!