Messi Was Disrespectful – Dani Alves

Dani Alves has criticised long-time team-mate Lionel Messi after the Argentina star alleged that the Copa America was corrupt following his side’s loss to Brazil.

Messi hit out at CONMEBOL and the tournament as a whole following the semi-final defeat and once again after Argentina’s third-place clash with Chile, a match that saw the Barcelona forward sent off under dubious circumstances.

Messi suggested the officials had been favouring the tournament hosts throughout the competition.

The claims were slammed by CONMEBOL, who called Messi’s rant “unacceptable” after the forward rallied against “corruption” and “a lack of respect” following his red card against the two-time reigning champions.

Messi’s comments also prompted Brazil boss Tite to step in and say that a star of Messi’s magnitude needs to show more respect.

And Alves echoed his coach’s sentiments, reiterating that Messi remains a dear friend, but a friend that he believes was in the wrong.

“A friend is not always right just because he’s a friend. You can say it in the heat of the moment, but I still won’t agree,” Alves told SporTV’s ‘Bem Amigos’.

“Firstly, he’s disrespecting an institution such as the Selecao, in my view. Secondly, he’s being disrespectful with several professionals who put a lot of things aside so they could be there fighting for a dream.

“I’m a friend who always tells the truth when it’s due, and I think he was wrong for saying these things.”