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Mario Kempes says Lionel Messi's level 'has dropped' in recent matches for Barcelona
The retired striker blames a lack of rest for the diminutive striker's recent sub-par displays and believes the Blaugrana are still in contention for the Liga title
06-Feb-2012 7:17:22 PM
By Luis Mira
Getty Images
Former Argentina international Mario Kempes says compatriot Lionel Messi has not been performing to the best of his abilities of late for Barcelona.
The Catalan club find themselves a worrying seven points shy of leaders Real Madrid, and Kempes believes that the busy schedule of Pep Guardiola's men has taken its toll on the squad.
"There are players who have dropped their level, especially Messi," Kempes told COM Radio. "Perhaps he needs a holiday, not now, but when it is time for that.
"Still, he is not the only one to have dropped a level."
The 57-year-old, who retired from football in 1996 after spells at Valencia and Rosario Central, among other clubs, reckons that Madrid are in pole position to snatch the Liga crown, but insists that Barcelona's title chances cannot be written off.
"At the moment, Madrid are much stronger than Barca, but to say that they are already champions is a totally different thing," Kempes noted.
"The Liga is not lost for Barca because there are many points left to play for. They must be cautious in the Copa del Rey because Valencia have been playing well on the road.
"Barca are an unbeatable team at home."
The Camp Nou outfit host Valencia in the sides' semi-final second leg on Wednesday at 21.00CET, having drawn 1-1 in the first match.
The Catalan club find themselves a worrying seven points shy of leaders Real Madrid, and Kempes believes that the busy schedule of Pep Guardiola's men has taken its toll on the squad.
"There are players who have dropped their level, especially Messi," Kempes told COM Radio. "Perhaps he needs a holiday, not now, but when it is time for that.
"Still, he is not the only one to have dropped a level."
The 57-year-old, who retired from football in 1996 after spells at Valencia and Rosario Central, among other clubs, reckons that Madrid are in pole position to snatch the Liga crown, but insists that Barcelona's title chances cannot be written off.
"At the moment, Madrid are much stronger than Barca, but to say that they are already champions is a totally different thing," Kempes noted.
"The Liga is not lost for Barca because there are many points left to play for. They must be cautious in the Copa del Rey because Valencia have been playing well on the road.
"Barca are an unbeatable team at home."
The Camp Nou outfit host Valencia in the sides' semi-final second leg on Wednesday at 21.00CET, having drawn 1-1 in the first match.
Starting in November and continuing through to the middle of February, Goal.com is publishing exclusive extracts from Graham Hunter's highly-anticipated new book, 'Barca: The Making of the Greatest Team in the World'. Last Friday's extract looked at how Barca suffered rare disappointment at the hands of Real Madrid in a gripping finale to last season's Copa del Rey. Don't miss it!
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