Brazil legend Ronaldo believes Lionel Messi is let off the hook too easily when Barcelona lose, as the repercussions from the club’s disastrous 4-0 defeat in the Champions League semi-final to Liverpool continue.
For the second straight season, Barcelona crashed out of the competition despite holding a three-goal lead going into the second leg, as they beat Liverpool 3-0 last week at home before Tuesday’s humiliating result. Last season, the club had beaten Roma 4-1 at home in the quarter-final, only to lose 3-0 in Rome to crash out on away goals.
Both losses saw Messi deliver below-par performances, the latest coming a week after his greatness had been hailed following a stunning free-kick in the first leg to make it 3-0.
Ronaldo, who played for both Barcelona and bitter rivals Real Madrid, says it is an “injustice” that the club captain is immune to criticism.
“It is unfair to point the culprits to a defeat,” he said at a Santander event, as reported by Goal. “I see that Barcelona has a great team and has the best player in the world, which is Messi.
“The other day I read that other players lost and Barca wins [because of] Messi. It is a tremendous injustice to all the players and the coaching staff.
“Barcelona is a great team with great players and very good coaches. You should be a little more careful with criticism.”
The two-time Ballon d’Or winner gave credit to Liverpool for their performance, acknowledging that their fourth goal was scored thanks to Barcelona’s defence switching off but adding that it would have come eventually anyway.
“[Liverpool] had more motivation, intensity and desire,” Ronaldo added. “In the first part, Barcelona had chances to score a goal that would have changed everything. But Liverpool deserved it. They have shown strength and emotional intelligence.
“In the fourth goal there was a mistake, but I think that if it had not [been scored], it would have arrived in a different way. They played the game of their lives. It’s a shame for Barcelona, because they played a great game in the first leg, we all enjoyed Messi.
“It’s a pity that there is not a Spaniard in the final, but Liverpool deserved it more.”