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Argentinian soccer chief asks to stop criticizing Messi

Xinhua, July 8, 2015 Adjust font size:

President of Argentina's football association (AFA), Luis Segura Tuesday called for an end to the mistreatment of star playmaker Lionel Messi after Argentina were defeated in the Copa America 2015 final by hosts Chile.

"I don't understand the people. One can have preferences, make comparisons but to mistreat Messi the way they did is an immense injustice," Segura told Fox Sports.

Lionel Messi, 28, has received harsh questioning and comments after Argentina's defeat 4-1 in the penalty shootout on Saturday.

"There are many football-based conversations" such as "comparing Messi with Maradona or Cristiano Ronaldo" but "the things they are saying are unacceptable", said Segura.

The AFA head also defended the whole Argentina team because "the bitterness" that they have after losing the final is "larger than what the fans feel."

The footballers "were dying to play for the team. They don't look for the money" and they "didn't ask for even a cent" during the continental tournament, said Segura.

Argentina lost 3-0 against Brazil in the Copa America 2007 and 1-0 against Germany in the World Cup in Brazil 2014..

Local media has said that Messi is considering to stay out of the national team for a while due to the sever criticism against him. Endi