Gerardo Martino: 'Lionel Messi produced best performances at Copa America'

Argentina's forward and captain Lionel Messi celebrates after scoring his team's second goal during the Group F football match between Argentina and Bosnia Hercegovina at the Maracana Stadium in Rio De Janeiro during the 2014 FIFA World Cup on June 15, 20
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Argentina head coach Gerardo Martino believes that Lionel Messi was the target of unfair criticism after the Copa America.

Argentina head coach Gerardo Martino has claimed that Lionel Messi produced some of his best performances for his country at the Copa America.

Messi was the main target of criticism in Argentina following their penalty shootout defeat to Chile last month, but Martino believes that the Barcelona forward did not deserve to be singled out.

"In my opinion, Messi's Copa America performances were his best in an Argentina shirt," he told Radio Uno.

"I shouldn't even respond to this type of criticism, because it's unbelievable. It wouldn't stand up to analysis and has no basis."

Messi has scored 46 goals in 103 appearances for Argentina.

Chilean players celebrate with the trophy of the 2015 Copa America football championship, in Santiago, Chile, on July 4, 2015
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