Back to the Soccer Newsfeed

Dani Alves Defends 'Untouchable' Lionel Messi After Barcelona's UCL Exit

Lionel Messi was not to blame for Barcelona's collapse against Liverpool in the UEFA Champions League semi-final, according to his former Barcelona teammate Dani Alves.

The Brazilian, who now plays for Paris Saint-Germain, told ESPN FC how Messi wasn't at fault, despite the prolific No. 10 receiving criticism following Tuesday's 4-0 second-leg defeat at Anfield: "After the first leg, he was out of this world, an alien—however you want to say it. But I still think the one untouchable person in football is Leo (Messi) because of what he brings to the game.