FC Barcelona superstar Lionel Messi has been slammed for his performance in El Clasico against Real Madrid this past weekend, with a compatriot of his brutally claiming the six-time Ballon d'Or winner disappears in big matches.
The 32-year-old was unable to inspire his team to victory when they came up against Los Blancos on Sunday, losing 2-0 their arch-rivals at the Santiago Bernabeu in LaLiga.
Throughout the game, Messi appeared dejected and generally unhappy, moods that coincide with his inconsistent form on the pitch of late, and his troubles off it.
After the game, Hugo Gatti, a former Argentina goalkeeper who has become somewhat known for his scathing attacks on Messi, claimed the Catalan club skipper cannot impact big games.
"Messi is the best player in the world, but when his team needs him the most, he disappears. He is nowhere to be found in crucial games."
Messi has scored 23 goals and assisted a further 16 strikes in 30 matches this season so far for Barca.
