The Argentina captain has come under criticism after his side failed to win the World Cup final but the Chelsea boss insists he is still one of the best ever
Jose Mourinho has defended Lionel Messi for his displays at the World Cup, claiming he is a "historical player" despite Argentina losing in the final to Germany.
The Argentina captain won the Golden Ball award, given to the best player of the tournament, but has come under criticism from all corners with many, including Diego Maradona insisting he didn't deserve the award.
But Mourinho has leapt to his defence, insisting that he doesn't need to win the World Cup to be identified as one of the best players of all time.
"It's easy to respect him when he has won but when he has lost, it's not so easy," the Chelsea boss told Yahoo.
"He is still a historical player. He does not need to be world champion to be a historical player, especially in this last decade.
"For me Pele is Pele and Maradona is Maradona. It's not for me to compare players from different generations.
"Maybe because he is from the same generation as when I was born - for me Maradona is Maradona."
When asked if he felt Messi was a scapegoat for Argentina's failings, Mourinho replied: "Not at all," before going on to question Albiceleste coach Alejandro Sabella's decisions in the final defeat to Germany.
"I think in the first half he had fantastic options," he added. "I would like to know why Lavezzi stayed in the dressing room at half-time.
"Argentina had been playing with two lines of four, with Enzo Perez closing Phillipp Lahm and Lavezzi doing the same on the other side. Because they were so compact Messi could walk while defending and then when he gotthe ball he had the energy to make the difference.
"When Sabella brought Aguero on for Lavezzi, Argentina changed from a 4-4-2 to a 4-3-3 and they lost a lot of balance. Messi had to run much more after Lavezzi went off.
"The team lost balance and especially energy - energy that they needed in extra-time."
But Mourinho said: "He sacrificed himself for the good of the team.
"He was more focused on winning the tournament than being its best player.
"I saw him playing in areas of the pitch where he doesn't usually play. He dropped deep and picked up the ball a long way from the opposition's goal.
"Messi has my utmost respect for what he did at the World Cup.
"Playing football for your country is different to playing for your club. If he'd wanted to show just how good he is he'd have played tucked in behind Higuain, waiting for that moment to change the game."
