Manu Fernandez/Associated Press
Lionel Messi's performances for Barcelona have been defended by club legend Rivaldo, who believes the attacking talisman is being left to do it all himself this season.
Messi endured a tough night when Barca lost 2-0 against bitter rivals Real Madrid in Sunday's Clasico. The result knocked the Blaugrana off the top spot in La Liga and highlighted the problems facing Messi while Barca are beset by key injuries up front.
Despite Messi's struggles, which include failing to score away from home in the division since December 1, Rivaldo, who won a pair of La Liga titles at the Camp Nou before joining AC Milan in 2002, told Betfair (h/t Goal's Chris Burton):
"As usual, Lionel Messi had little space to play in.