Cesc Fabregas has mused on what he sees as a smear campaign against lionel Messi, as people are ‘bored’ of the Argentine and Barcelona’s success.
Messi’s father Jorge is seeing reports in Spain continue to centre on his alleged involvement in laundering money for a drug trafficking scheme, through the sale of tickets to such events as the Messi and Friends friendlies of recent summers.
For the Argentine player’s teammate, these reports are hand in hand with people’s changing attitude towards Barca as a whole.
“There's something going on. Some people are taking advantage by saying things they shouldn't when they have no basis in fact or evidence,” Fabregas has told Marca this week.
“After six years praising him, people have got bored and have started to fish for something different – it's like they want the best player in the world to change.
“But Leo is the best and he will do his talking out on the pitch, where he does it best.
“Lot’s of people want something new, they are tired of Barca always winning, that they are always the best.
“They want there to be other ways for others to win, or for someone else to set the pace in world football.
“Messi has been the best for many years and now it seems that when he is injured, he has done nothing, he must be bad.
“There is nobody better than him. I have played against him and with him and will probably not see a player like him in many years.”
The Catalans are without Messi and Neymar for their closing fixture of the calendar year, a League trip out to Getafe, who they will also face in the new year in the Copa del Rey Last 16.
“Other top players like Xavi, Alexis, Iniesta and Pedro will be there… It's very important we end the year on top so our minds are at ease during our mini-Christmas holidays.
“But it won't be easy – Getafe are in very good form. It will also be good preparation for the Cup game.”
