Brazil full-back Daniel Alves believes Argentina will struggle to get the best out of Lionel Messi.
Brazil full-back believes Messi will struggle to replicate Barca form
Brazil full-back Daniel Alves believes Argentina will struggle to get the best out of Lionel Messi in the World Cup.
The FIFA World Player of the Year scored the most goals in La Liga last term, helping Barca to the title for a second successive season.
However, he often fails to deliver such supremacy on the international scene, which Alves believes is ultimately down to the quality of the Argentina squad.
The 26-year-old, who plays just behind Messi at Barca, believes Diego Maradona's players will fail to bring out the best in his South American rival in South Africa this summer.
No comparison
"I think the reason Messi has difficulties with Argentina is because there is no comparison between Barcelona and Argentina," he told
The Times.
"With all respect to the players in Argentina, there is no comparison between the two.
"At Barcelona, he has players of his level."
Alves believes the amount of pressure on Messi to be the outstanding player in the tournament will do nothing to help his cause.
"Messi is young," he added. "He has to carry the nation on his back and it's a big responsibility."
We're ready
Alves has, meanwhile, defended coach Dunga's tactics ahead of their opening group game with North Korea.
"To make changes would only drive us away from our path," he said.
"We are on the right track and we have to finish in the same manner."
He added: "Although everyone knows how we play, Brazil have the capacity to surprise opponents.
"What is important is to be ready for the opportunities we get."
Brazil have conceded just one goal in their four warm-up matches, all of which they won.
